Vinson enters Sevens heaven
TEACHERS West star Tom Vinson is ready to step into the unknown this weekend when he takes the field for Queensland in the National Rugby Sevens Championships at Ballymore.
Vinson is a long- time member of the Pirates team which took out last month’s Townsville Festival of Rugby Sevens, but he admitted that was the extent of his experience in the fast- paced format.
The 25- year- old was a standout for the Pirates, scoring the opening try in the final, and his performances caught the eye of a QRU scout who invited him to train with the state squad.
He made the final cut for the Queensland Grey team where he’ll play alongside former Australian Youth Boys sevens representative and Townsville Brothers speedster Sam Warner.
Vinson reclaimed his Queensland Country jersey in the 15- man code earlier this year after knee reconstructions and he said he was excited for a new challenge.
“I suppose it’s pretty daunting, but I’m definitely excited to rip in and have a go,” he said.
“I think the biggest thing from the sevens I’ve played is the pace this one’s going to be played at. It’s going to be quicker and I think the width of the play will be a bit more than I have done previously.
“I hadn’t really thought about it ( pursuing a sevens career) too much … but it’s definitely going to be a massive learning curve. If all goes well I’d love to pursue it.”
Vinson has only had the one training session with his new teammates in Brisbane last weekend, but he believes Queensland Grey would be firing come game day.
“They’ve all been training together pretty regularly, two to three times a week. It’s just me and Sam that aren’t from that Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunny Coast area,” he said.
Tamika Bray and Daisy D’Arcy have been named in the Queensland Youth Girls teams for nationals and Vinson hopes more Townsville rugby talents gain the opportunity in sevens.
“Hopefully it can happen a bit more. There’s definitely the players up here who are good enough,” he said.