Young Gollings keen on green and gold jumper
Australian schoolboys’ halfback Rocco Gollings aims to represent the Aussie Seniors and gradually the Wallabies in the near feature.
The 17-year-old was testing his skills against some tough Fijian opposition during the McDonalds Fiji Coral Coast Sevens tournament at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka yesterday.
Gollings who is the son of Fiji Sevens head coach, Ben Gollings, plays for Nudgee College and Sunnybank Rugby Club back in Australia.
He made his debut in their 10-5 victory over NNN Tubarua in their opening match of the tournament.
Like his father he is keen on pursuing a rugby pathway but not for England, he prefers Australia.
“Hopefully a career in rugby playing for the Australian sevens and the Wallabies,” Gollings said.
His mum is Australian, and they reside there.
“Being part of the team makes me feel really excited. This is good opportunity to develop young players. We are a young team; a lot of us are still 17 going into under 19 later on.”
“It is a bit different to what we’re used to playing. But yeah, it is good fun and good experience. I’ve been learning that playing against Fijians today. “Obviously the grounds play a big part depending if it rains, it is a bit hard playing in the Fiji conditions.
“It’s very hot and humid here; especially coming up against the big Fijian boys, which we don’t get back home.”
The inclusion of the Australian Youth and Australia A Women’s team in the McDonalds FijiCoral Coast Sevens is supported by the Australian Government’s PacificAus Sports Programme.
The programme provides opportunities for Australian and Fijian teams to play rugby and build lasting friendships through sport.