FINIGAN KEEPING HIS OPTIONS OPEN
HELENSVALE flyer Jack Finigan is considering all options for his 2019 rugby pursuits after helping the Queensland Country Heelers to a victorious start to their New Zealand tour.
The Heelers braved the Christchurch chill to easily account for Ellesmere 29-10 on Monday night – they led 24-0 at one stage – and will look to make it two-fromtwo when they meet North Canterbury today.
Outside centre Finigan has returned to the Heelers set-up for his fourth tour, having spent last year playing in the US for the Minnesota Metropolis.
“I played a bit of 15s at the start and then ended up playing in the national sevens tournament,” he explained. That opportunity arose through a mate’s connections and the Englishborn 23-year-old is eager to play more overseas rugby.
Finigan, whose older brothers Steven and Sean have also represented the Heelers on multiple occasions, started this season at premier club Bond University before switching back to his beloved Hogs in the Gold Coast District Rugby Union competition.
He has not ruled out a return to the Bullsharks in the future, though.
“I missed the whole preseason and just had a few niggles still from being overseas … that was sort of stopping me from trialling well enough and then ultimately I just missed playing at Hogs really,” Finigan said.
“But credit to Bond, they are a really professional outfit, so yeah, maybe I will give it a crack another time.”
Hogs coach Tonga Lea’aetoa backed his strike weapon to push for higher honours. “He has a natural instinct to make breaks; it’s just that natural ability where he can read the play and he is quick and has got great footwork,” he said.
The Heelers tour will reach a climax on Saturday in Goondiwindi with the annual grudge match against NSW Country.