Central North Rugby: Jye Taggart relishes first grade debut for Pirates

The former Pirates junior made his senior debut, starting in the second row.

"It was unreal, I loved it," the 19-year old reflected post-match.

He had learned the week before he was going to be making his debut, but admitted to a few nerves as the time got closer.

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"The nerves got me a little bit but all the boys said get some early touches and get into the contact early and that's what I did, and once the adrenaline took over I was right," he said.

Part of the Pirates under-19s' that were beaten in the grand final two years ago, Taggart was set to step up to the seniors last year. But that never eventuated with the season cancelled amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Instead he played a bit of oztag, and "just tried to stay active in the gym".

An apprentice electrician, he predominantly played league growing up - for Kootingal.

"A couple of years we couldn't field a side and a few of my mates were playing at Pirates so I thought I'd come over and give it a crack and I love it," he said.

"I love rugby, it's my passion."

He also loves the club.

"The club spirit is just unreal. All the boys get around each other," he said.

"Even at training everyone's around each other."

As a young player just beginning his senior footy journey, Taggart probably couldn't ask for a better learning environment with the experience of the first grade side.

He mentioned Andrew Wynne, who he partnered in the second row on Saturday, and Bart Leach as a couple of players that he really looks up to.

"They're big hitters and workhorses.

"They don't always get the praise but they're always turning up," he said.

"That's what I strive to be."

Taggart played the 80 minutes on Saturday and said the intensity was so much higher than anything he had experienced before.

"You understand why it's first grade. It's a big step but I just tried my best and I hope I did my job," he said.

He did, co-coach Mick Squires commenting that the debutant was "fantastic".

"His defence was really good," he added.

The premiers went on to post a convincing win - 57-6.

For Taggart it was the icing on the cake of a memorable day.

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