REDS LOCK IN BLYTH
ANGUS Blyth has declared himself a rugby union player for life after agreeing to a two-year Super Rugby contract extension with the Queensland Reds.
The Brad Thorn-coached franchise moved quickly to secure the services of the uncapped lock until the end of 2020 and is expected to announce the deal today. It was only a few years ago that rugby almost lost Blyth to AFL, as the 203cm giant seriously weighed up an offer from the Gold Coast Suns.
The Casuarina junior eventually decided to shun that option and has now put any future advances by rival codes off the table.
“I am pretty confident I won’t be changing sporting careers,” Blyth told the Gold Coast Bulletin.
“I am enjoying my time here with the senior squad and I really think I am improving my game and my skills. I am just keen to learn and get better really. I am enjoying being coached by Thorny.
“It (the contract extension) means a lot to me.”
Blyth, who played in Bond University’s 20-19 upset win over University of Queensland on Saturday, is targeting regular Reds game time by the time he is next off-contract.
“Obviously I would love to be in the main player rotation,” the 20-year-old said.
“Hopefully next year I have a big year and get a few games and work my way into the team through that and take every opportunity I get.”
While Blyth is making big steps forward, Wallabies locks Izack Rodda and Kane Douglas stand in the way of his immediate chances of getting a Super Rugby debut. However, an opening is set to appear at the Reds when Douglas switches to French Top 14 club Bordeaux at the end of the season.
Blyth, a John Eales Rugby Excellence Scholarship recipient, has a big couple of months coming up.
He has been named in the Aussie squad for the Oceania Rugby U20s Championship from April 27 on the Gold Coast and will then hope to drive the Junior Wallabies to success at the World Rugby U20s Titles in France from May 30 to June 17.
I AM ENJOYING MY TIME HERE WITH THE SENIOR SQUAD AND I REALLY THINK I AM IMPROVING MY GAME AND MY SKILLS ANGUS BLYTH