Allan creates history with PM’s XIII selection
COREY Allan will make history on Saturday when the South Sydney-bound fullback becomes the first player to play in a Prime Minister’s XIII side without having played a topgrade game.
Allan is part of a fresh-faced PM’s XIII backline which includes the likes of Jesse Ramien, Brian Kelly, Nick Cotric and Zac Lomax.
The 20-year-old Allan, who played for Brisbane this year, almost missed the call which informed him of his selection.
“When I found out, I was camping,” Allan, who spent the first day at camp in Brisbane yesterday introducing himself to his teammates, said.
“I had no idea I would be playing. At the time I didn’t have (phone) reception. My mate hot-spotted me.
“I picked up the call. It was pretty crazy. When I first heard I thought it would be a 50-man squad and they would get us to train with the boys.
“When I found out I was playing, I was ecstatic. I called my dad straight away.”
Allan has inked a three year deal with the Rabbitohs from next season.
He represented the Junior Kangaroos last year and was part of Queensland’s under-20s and under-18s teams.
His path playing at Brisbane was blocked by Darius Boyd and Jamayne Isaako.
“The culture there (at South Sydney), I’ve heard a lot about their culture,” Allan said.
“They brought me down. I spoke with Richo (Shane Richardson) and the coach (Anthony Seibold). They showed me around …. I met a few of the Burgess brothers.
“(Seibold) told me what they were going to do with me.
“It intrigued me that they showed me what I wanted to work on. To find out I have that much that I needed to do really showed they cared. That was a big turning point.
“With (Boyd and Issako) there, I felt like I needed to expand myself somewhere else.
“I’ve been under Darius for two years now and I’ve learnt what I can. I feel Alex Johnston and Greg Inglis will be two good players to learn off.”