One of Griffith’s own is in with a chance to pull on the Australian jersey come year’s end if everything goes to plan.
Tre Finau is a member of the extended squad for the Australian Youth Boys’ Sevens school side competing at the World School Sevens Championship in New Zealand in December.
To play such a high level of rugby has been a long-held dream for Finau.
When news broke the footballer had made the train-on squad for the Australian schoolboys team, the elation couldn’t be hidden from the Finau’s face.
“Yeah, it’s been my goal since I was young,” Finau told The Area News on Sunday while he was in Griffith.
“I was pretty happy, smiles everywhere.”
Finau – who has studied at Westfield Sports High School since year 8 – is now back in Sydney to train with the schoolboys squad.
A camp is being held where the boys will improve their skills and discuss how they are travelling in their rugby careers but just as importantly, it will whittle down the size of the squad.
“After the three-day camp, they’ll send out emails saying who made the team and who’s been cut,” Finau said.
“I’m nervous and confident.
“I’ve been training hard for it. So, yeah, it should be alright.”
Finau’s rise in the seven-a-side game has been rapid.
The student took up the game just a couple years ago after predominantly playing 15-a-side rugby.
“One of the coaches came and spoke to me to see if I was interested to play normal club sevens,” Finau said.
“I put my hand up and said, yeah, I’ll come down and play.”
The fullback/five-eighth hasn’t lost his love for the 15-a-side game, though.
He’ll play for the Sydney 15s representative side in June against Country.
Finau said the match will also be a trial for spots in the NSW squad.
And despite playing for the city side, Finau will always be a Griffith boy at heart.
“It’s been heaps good, every time I come down [to Griffith] all the boys show some love and the family shows love,” Finau said.
“It’s always good to be down here [in Griffith], home’s home.”
