Try tops off debut for Junior Wallaby
FOR Hayden Sargeant, Australia’s 91-7 under-20 rugby thumping of Tonga ticked all the boxes for his national debut.
“In my hometown and a try – that will do on debut, so pretty happy,” beamed the winger.
Sargeant was born in Grafton and grew up on the Gold Coast, starting playing for Surfers Paradise at the age of 10 before progressing to now line up for Bond University in Queensland Premier Rugby.
The 20-year-old has gone over and above in his pursuit to improve and has been rewarded with a place in the Junior Wallabies squad, culminating in a chance to start on the right flank against Tonga at Bond University on Tuesday night.
“I was pretty excited, a little bit nervous before we ran out but it was nice to see my family and friends there,” he said.
“I ran out … and heard them cheer so it just calmed the nerves a bit. I got a couple of good runs … and a few opportunities to show what I have got.”
While fullback Matt McTaggert stole the show with four tries, Sargeant’s moment came in the 24th minute when he was the try-scoring beneficiary of a blindside play by Tate McDermott.
Now it’s an anxious wait to find out if he has a spot in the Oceania Rugby Under-20 Championship title play-off against New Zealand on Saturday at Bond – and beyond that, a World Cup squad spot.
The Australia v New Zealand clash kicks off at 7pm on Saturday.