Six foot four, nearly 100kg and strong as an ox, meet NSW country rugby’s newest secret weapon.
At just 17 years of age, Oxley College’s Piers Craig is set for a rapid rise up the rugby ranks after rucking his way into the NSW Country Schoolboys squad for the upcoming tour of South Africa.
Along with schoolmate Byron Woolfrey, the duo are steeling themselves for the cream of the schoolboy crop from all corners of the globe in April’s international tournament.
But the prospect of clashing with such elite competition doesn’t deter the lanky lock.
“I was stoked when I found out I’d made the team and it means a lot to my career,” Craig said.
“This is my first overseas tour and I plan to make the most of it.”
Picking up the ball for the first time six years ago, Craig has developed a passion for the game and is determined to take his talents to the top.
“I just want to go as far as I can with the game,” he said.
“I really want to take it to the very highest level but it can be a pretty tough road.”
And looking at his imposing sporting resume, one suspects that Craig could have his pick of sports so diverse is his talent.
As well as his prodigious rugby talent, Craig captained the Oxley cricket team First XI and is also school swimming champion.
On top of these superlative sporting feats, the strapping youngster was also named Bowral Lions Club Youth of the Year at a ceremony last Monday.
“It was a big thrill to win Youth of the Year and I did put a lot of hard work in,” he said.
And it is that same work ethic that has catapulted Craig into calculations for the Australian Schoolboy Rugby squad, a nursery for the nation’s leading senior players.
“I made the Australian School Development squad last year and so I really want to make the Australian Schoolboys this year,” he said.
“It’s not an easy task being from a country area because the selectors find it hard to canvas all the country schools.
“Most good young players are snapped up by Sydney GPS schools and I suppose I could’ve done that but I’m committed to Oxley.”
Craig also captained the NSW Country seconds team last season but he is well aware that April’s tour will be his biggest test.
“It’s definitely going to be tough but I love rugby and I’m going to give it my best,” he said.
“This is the first Country Schoolboys tour since 1984 so it’s important that we do well.”
With such a dedicated rugby enthusiast in the squad, there’s little doubt the team will equip themselves well.
“Rugby is great and I really enjoy the aggression side of the game,” he said.
“It’s just an exciting game and the best part of it is the team-building and the mateship.”
The only reservation left for the Bowral Blacks player is the prohibitive cost of making the overseas trip.
“I’m seeking sponsorship in order to raise the $4000 I will need to make the trip,” he said.
“I am hoping for either personal sponsorship or through advertising in the tour booklet that we will be taking with us and distributing over there.”
Anyone wishing to help this young lad reach his dreams van contact Piers on 0403 729 798.
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