UP-AND-COMING Kinross Wolaroi centre Ned Yeomans got an “unreal” surprise last month - a call-up to the Australian Schoolboys rugby squad.
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Despite not representing New South Wales at any stage during the selection process, Yeomans was originally named as a shadow centre for the Australian side.
However, thanks to an untimely injury to St Ignatius’ star Henry Hutchison, Yeomans was given his chance and is now one of three centres named for the squad’s three-game tour of New Zealand at the end of the month.
“It really is just unreal, it hasn’t really kicked in yet. I’m sort of waking up in the morning wondering if it is real in a way,” Yeomans beamed yesterday.
“It’s unbelievable, It’s an incredible feeling, more to get acknowledged and be given a shot than anything.”
Playing for Independent Sporting Associations’ (ISA) second XV at the 2014 NSWRU Championships, Yeomans was overlooked for the NSWISA side, and in turn the NSW Schoolboys team.
But he was awarded a second chance with Combined States - a combined NSW and QLD side consisting of those not selected for higher representation - at the Australian Sports Rugby Union Championship
“We had a couple of wins but really we were there to make up numbers,” Yeomans explained.
“I never got selected in the top teams, or for NSW. The selectors just seemed to overlook me but eventually I got a look in for Australia though which is really incredible.”
Australia embarks on a five-day training camp this weekend, from which the starting XV will be named. Afterward, Yeomans and his teammates will fly to New Zealand on September 23 for a three-game tour around the land of the long white cloud.
“We’re playing New Zealand Schools, Fiji and New Zealand Barbarians,” the flying centre said.
“They toured Britain last year I think, but this trip is just as exciting as that. I’d love to get a starting spot, we’re taking three centres so who knows.
“Just having a handy tour would be fantastic. Long term, I don’t know. Australian Schoolboys looks pretty good, considering I was told 77 per cent of people who play at that level end up with Super Rugby experience.
“I am starting with Randwick next season, and I’m joining the Waratahs 20s in November, so it’s a good chance there.”
Yeomans will be joined by former Kinross teammate Nick Duffy, now playing halfback in St Joseph’s Hunter Hill’s first XV, who was also named to wear green and gold.
“It’s great to have a friendly face, I was chatting to him about it on the weekend about it actually,” Yeomans said.
“We played together here at Kinross, not the biggest rugby school and low and behold we’ve both got a spot for Australia.”