BARNSTORMING Orange CYMS gun Tyrone Harrison, surprisingly, wasn’t named in NSW Country’s original under-16 squad to tour Samoa.
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But injury concerns over a number of other stars – his CYMS teammate Hudson Spicer was ruled out after shoulder surgery – has gifted the young backrower a shot in Country colours.
A stand-out for Western at the AAMI Country Championship, Harrison will fly out for the tiny, league loving Pacific Island nation on Saturday, determined to leave his mark on the next level of representative footy.
Harrison was a big part of Western Division’s run to the final of the championship in Tamworth – where Jamie Szczerbanik’s outfit lost in heartbreaking fashion, Greater Northern Tigers scoring a try right on the bell to steal victory.
The Country under 16s will play two matches while on tour, with the side’s game against Samoa a curtain raiser for the historic Samoa versus Fiji Test Match at Apia Park, which is the first international in Samoa.
“We haven’t been given too many instructions yet. It’s just been about getting together and getting to know everyone,” NSW Country five-eighth, St John’s Dubbo product and Western under-16 skipper Matt Burton said.
“Having a lot of the Western boys in the side has helped.”
The players will also visit schools and communities to help promote the game of rugby league in the Pacific Islands.
The Country under 16s will tour alongside the Country Firsts outfit.
Harrison is joined by Brock Naden (Wellington), Joey Hobby (Blayney), Charlie Staines (Forbes) and Burton in the Country team.
Harrison was instrumental in helping Orange CYMS to the Group 10 under-16 premiership as well.