Forging strong Bond
CONNOR Pritchard is the Zimbabwean representative targeting a Super Rugby contract who could become a central figure in Bond University’s 2019 campaign.
Pritchard will make his Queensland Premier Rugby debut today when the Bull Sharks take on Brothers.
The 22-year-old has locked down the starting openside flanker jersey after a mighty pre-season.
Upon moving to Australia two years ago, he linked up with Colleges with whom he won the 2018 Gold Coast District Rugby Union premiership. But Pritchard, who came through the Sharks’ Super Rugby system, has bigger fish to fry.
“I really want to try to crack the Reds and obviously Zimbabwe is not offering me a contract so I decided that this year I would focus my rugby here and do the step up from Colleges so Bond was my best option,” he said.
“It’s amazing, knowing where you want to be and people who are already there surround you and you learn off them every single day.”
Reds coach Brad Thorn’s
willingness to reward upand-coming Queensland players bodes well and Pritchard hopes to take his next big step – a place in the National Rugby Championship – as soon as later this year.
Pritchard is part of a Bond forward pack that has lost Tai Ford from last year and Nuku Swerling to a neck injury but has gained Andrew Petelo and Paula Kaho over the summer.
The side also features plenty of youth including Gavin Luka, Angus Blyth, Calum Ball, Max Dowd, Jack Winchester, Spencer Jeans and Matt Minogue.