When Trent Taylor first found out he’d been selected in the under 17s Australian Oztag Development Team, a tiny seed of doubt crept into his mind.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
He said one of his initial thoughts was “I didn’t know how I’d go”.
However, a quick chat to his coaches quickly cast out any doubts about his selection and now he can’t wait to pull on the green and gold this weekend.
“It [being named for the Australian side] was a bit overwhelming at the start,” Taylor said.
“But after I’d spoken to the coaches – they said I deserved it [to be selected] and I knew I’d worked hard.
“I was a bit worried. I didn’t know how I’d go but now I’m really looking forward to it.”
Taylor will go into camp with the Australian side on Thursday before playing matches over the weekend against New Zealand.
The Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School student will play in the middle for the representative side.
He said he’d be playing a comparable role to that he plays in rugby league.
But after I’d spoken to the coaches – they said I deserved it [to be selected] and I knew I’d worked hard.
- Trent Taylor
“I play halfback and fullback in league and it’s pretty similar,” Taylor said of how he plays in the two sports.
Taylor has played oztag since he was eight and gained selection for the Australian team after impressing with the Tamworth Taipans at nationals last October.
The side came together for a training run on the weekend but Taylor missed the session due to commitments with the Greater Northern Tigers at the Laurie Daley Cup semi-finals.
The footballer, who also plays for Dungowan, wasn’t too worried about gelling with his teammates.
“I haven’t played with them, I’ve only played against them at big carnivals,” Taylor said.
“I know a few of them but that’s it. They all seem like pretty good blokes.”
