West Lions backrower and Werris Creek local Beau Parry is in Melbourne for tonight’s State of Origin as part of the NSW U16s team. Photo: Geoff O’Neill 160512GOE01
WERRIS Creek’s Beau Parry has already beaten the odds simply by making the NSW Under 16s side to play Queensland in tonight’s State of Origin curtainraiser in Melbourne.
Achieving something the senior state side has failed to do in six years – beating the Queenslanders – might be a relatively easy task by
comparison.
Few country-based kids make the NSW side at this age level because selectors don’t get to see the best young players from outside the city.
Fortunately, five players from the CRL were hand-picked to trial for the team in Sydney two weeks ago and among them was the Quirindi High School student and West Lions junior, Parry.
Not only did he play in the possibles versus probables trial at Leichhardt Oval but he was named in the NSW side early last week.
The only other played listed as a CRL kid who made the team is David Sheridan from Coffs Harbour, but he actually plays for Redcliffe in the Queensland under 16s
competition.
So Parry is the only current CRL player included in the squad of 18 to play at Etihad Stadium.
The rest are players from the Harold Matthews Cup competition, which features teams aligned to NRL clubs.
Another Creek local with a great league pedigree, Matt Parsons, has been a good influence over Parry and, as a CRL selector, no doubt helped him get a start in the U16s trial.
But Parry did the rest.
His West under 16s coach Geoff Dillon said Parry was a good influence for his side as well.
“I haven’t had a lot to do with him because it’s my first year,” Dillon said.
“But he’s a good kid and a good player.
“As soon as he walks into the room the other kids pick up.
“He has an aura about him.”
Parry is a key member of the Lions team and also the Group 4 under 16s rep side.
Dillon said it’s not surprising he has done so well and being part of the NSW team will only be good for him and his
teammates.
“He always gives 100 per cent,” Dillon said.
“It’s good for him all round.
“It’s good for us as well.
“The things he will learn that he can bring back to training and to the game and the blokes he plays with will be great.
“He’s a good kid and I hope he goes all the way.”
Parry had to miss Sunday’s Group 4 U16s trials against Groups 19 and 21 at Gunnedah but should be available for the Country Championships at Forster over the June long weekend.
He has been a regular in Group 4 junior sides for a number of years.
NSW U16s: Dillon Khoury (Parramatta Eels), Izaac Thompson (St George Dragons), Robert Jennings (Penrith Panthers), Sione Mata’utia (Newcastle Knights), David Sheridan (Redcliffe Dolphins), Bayley Sironen (Balmain Tigers), Travis Edwards (Newcastle Knights), Soni Hala (Penrith Panthers), Jackson Hastings (Illawarra Steelers), Alex Twal (Parramatta Eels), Tevita Pangai (Newcastle Knights), Tyrell Fuimaono (Parramatta Eels), Mark McCormack(Western Suburbs Magpies), Liam Coleman (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Oliver Clark (Penrith Panthers), Jacob Host (St George Dragons), Jamie Hill (Penrith Panthers), Beau Parry (West Lions).