Meredith debut a reward for effort
FORMER Barron Trinity Bulls and FNQ Thunder star Declan Meredith has been named to make his Super Rugby debut against one of the competition’s heavyweights.
Meredith was named on the Brumbies’ bench for their clash with defending Super Rugby Pacific champion Crusaders on Friday evening. His parents, Wayne and Carol, have flown over to New Zealand to be at Orangetheory Stadium to possibly see him take his first steps in a Super Rugby fixture.
It’s been a big few years for Meredith, who has starred for Wests in the John I Dent Cup, represented the ACT and Southern NSW Griffins and the Brumbies Runners, and played in Australia’s Oceania Sevens campaign in New Zealand.
Meredith has primarily played at fullback, through his career and can also slot on to the wing or at fly-half, and has worked with Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham to help develop his passing game and vision. Larkham said Meredith’s selection, which comes in a round with the Brumbies resting several Wallabies, was reward for several impressive seasons.
“He’s been very impressive in our Runners games, and trials last year,” Larkham said.
“He’s been in the system for a few years now; he’s been impressive in the John I Dent Cup for Wests.
“We’re just expecting him to slot into the system, like all of the boys who are getting the opportunity this weekend.
“We’ve all been training together for a long time now; they know the systems, so it’s making sure their combination with everyone else is good, and there might be an occasion here or there where they can show us the X-factor they have, and ‘Dec’s’ got a fair bit of that.”
There will be plenty of local rugby players keeping an eye on the fixture too, with Bulls president Drew Butterworth saying the entire community was behind the young flyer.
“We’re all immensely proud of what he’s been able to do,” Butterworth said. “He’s worked extremely hard to get to where he is.”