Delays leading to a Super-sized mess
THE uncertainty around Australia’s Super Rugby franchises is leaving the futures of budding youngsters like Dylan Riley up in the air.
Riley is a talented outside centre or winger who was part of the Australian under-20 team that placed sixth in the World Championships in Georgia in June.
He returned to cement his place as a Queensland Premier Rugby starter for Bond University but now, with his under-20s eligibility finished, admits he is not quite sure what is next to come in his rugby pathway.
It was announced this year that either the Western Force or Melbourne Rebels would be cut from the 2018 Super Rugby competition. But the delay in finalising who will be axed has had the flow-on effect of somewhat stalling the player market.
Several players are known to be awaiting that decision before their future can be sorted and Riley confirmed it is a difficult situation.
“It’s kind of hard at the moment ... I’m not too sure where I am heading,” the 20year-old said.
Bond teammate Mitch Third agreed “it is just one less opportunity to be looked at”. Third, however, believes the move from five franchises to four will help Australian rugby in the long run.
“I think they will look to club rugby a lot more and hopefully that will be beneficial so you actually have to be really good to get signed,” he said.
With the premier grade regular season done, Third and Riley are hoping to earn National Rugby Championship call-ups for Queensland Country, as the next chance to progress their careers.
Third is a Country incumbent but is realistic about his chances of getting the first crack at his favoured No.10.
“They obviously have Hamish (Stewart) there. He’ll probably be starting 10, like I’m not delirious about that but I don’t really see anyone else who will be covering 10 and fullback for Country so I will definitely be putting my hand up for that,” he said.
Riley also wants an NRC berth after finding himself far more comfortable in senior rugby this year.
“Last year I was a bit scared and nervous coming off the bench. Obviously it’s a lot more physical, bigger boys and stuff like that so I think the Australian 20s really put me in a good position to play a lot better and sort of push towards that next level,” Riley said.
The NRC kicks off on September 2, with Queensland Country away to Canberra.
IT’S KIND OF HARD AT THE MOMENT ... I’M NOT TOO SURE WHERE I AM HEADING BOND’S DYLAN RILEY