His desire to play in the Southern Hemisphere saw him land in Gunnedah, and Matt Pardesi is loving his time with the Red Devils.
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The UK native is one of several new faces around the club this season that have helped the Red Devils climb their way back into the finals.
On Saturday they host defending champions Pirates in what couldn’t be a better audition for their elimination semi-final against Scone the following Saturday.
Hailing from Newport in Shropshire, after finishing a degree in business and masters in economics Pardesi said he “felt like I needed a break”. Keen to experience southern hemisphere rugby first hand, he put his rugby cv on an online recruitment website.
With the Lions touring New Zealand, he would have admittedly loved to have been over there, but the 27-year old certainly isn’t disappointed he ended up in Gunnedah.
It has so far been a thoroughly enjoyable and valuable experience.
“It’s improved my fitness and improved my game play and I’m experiencing something new,” he said.
“I’m learning how to fly, which is brilliant. I’ve been fishing, shooting and just taking in the country.”
These days packing down in the front row, Pardesi started his rugby journey as a number eight.
“I progressively moved forward to the front row and really found a position that I really love,” he said.
The reference is often jokingly made to the “front rowers club”.
But that is one of aspects of playing in the front row that Pardesi most enjoys.
“The front row there is a bond that I don’t think you find on the field anywhere else,” he said.
Aside from the speed of the game, which the generally drier and warmer conditions facilitate and is often noted by northern hemisphere visitors, Pardesi remarked that the camaraderie as one of the biggest differences he has noticed.
“The community they’ve built down here is just phenomenal,” he said.
“The focus on the social side of rugby is something I will take back to my club.”
He hopes he’s still got a few games left before that happens.
The Red Devils will be playing for a home elimination final when they tackle the premiers on Saturday, with a win securing them fourth spot ahead of the Brumbies.
The consolation would be a bonus point. It would put the Red Devils on level points with the Brumbies, who have the bye and are guaranteed five points.
The Red Devils though have accumulated more bonus points and boast a superior for an against.
