Ben made it through a tough selection process.

There were two muster trials at Wonoona where there were several age groups of both boys and girls going through skill drills and then game play.

“Each skill such as tackling, passing and fitness were tested in the first muster try out and then skills in a game situation were tested in the second muster try out,” Ben said.

Not having played much 7s rugby before, Ben will play in a 7s rep comp in Canberra on September 16, the Southern Highlands 7s on September 29 and then the three-day state championships in Forster from October 13-15.

The Bowral player, who plays inside centre, outside centre and on the wing has played representative rugby for the Illawarriors since under-10s and has also competed in the PSSA State Championships for the South Coast region.

The Illawarra team has been training on Monday nights at Avondale.

Ben, who has played rugby for the past seven years said he hoped to get some more 7s rugby experience and just “play more rugby”.

”[I enjoy] the contact and making new friends,” he said.

“[Over the next 12 months I want] to continue to improve all my rugby skills and continue with representative rugby.”