New Waratahs halfback heeds uncle's words

New Waratahs halfback Grayson Hart has heeded wise words from his famous uncle John as he prepares to resurrect his Super Rugby career.

The nephew of former All Blacks coach John Hart, 24-year-old Grayson becomes the third overseas-born halfback to play for New South Wales this year.

He replaces South African Sarel Pretorius, who drops out of the 22-man squad for Saturday's ANZ Stadium clash with the Brumbies, with Scottish-born Brendan McKibbin the reserve halfback.

Hart was in the New Zealand under-20 team that included current All Blacks Sam Whitelock, Aaron Smith and Zac Guildford.

He headed to Australia, the birthplace of one of his grandparents, when his career in New Zealand stalled in 2010 after he made seven Super Rugby appearances for the Blues in 2009.

"I think maybe, at the time, I might not have been ready to make the most of the opportunity," said Hart of his time with the Blues.

Injuries wiped out much of his 2011 campaign in Sydney, but he was contracted to the Waratahs' 2012 extended playing squad as their third-choice halfback.

"There's been times over the last couple of years where, with injuries and not being selected, I've been pretty frustrated," Hart said.

"I never really thought of giving rugby away but, at times, I considered moving overseas to have a go in Europe.

"People close to me, my brother and my uncle, they are always the ones I go to for advice.

"It was their advice to stay and have a go at Super Rugby."

Asked what his uncle thought about him playing for NSW, Hart said at the beginning of the year he told him to make sure he was fit and ready to go if selected.

"That's what I've tried to do all year."