Orange High School’s Elijah Smyth was confident he’d acquitted himself pretty well for Greater Western at this year’s NSW Combined High Schools (CHS) carnival, but even so, higher honours weren’t really on his mind.
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They’ve come though, and the affable back-rower couldn’t be more pleased.
The year 11 student, who plies his trade in Orange Hawks’ under 18s side of a weekend, was named in the NSW CHS under 17s development squad on Wednesday morning.
He’ll get his first taste of rugby league on the international stage as a result, when his CHS side tours New Zealand later this year.
“[Making the development side] would have been a goal, but I didn’t even know about it until we got to the carnival,” Smyth laughed.
“I thought I played pretty well, especially in our last game against Sydney Red, but to be honest I’d actually forgotten it was being picked until I got notified I’d made it.
“I’m really excited for it, mum and dad were pretty excited when I told them too.”
After flying out for the land of the long white cloud on September 29, Smyth and his NSW teammates will play games in Christchurch, Rotorua and Auckland, against sides Smyth is predicting to have plenty of size about them.
“They’ll be big boys,” Smyth laughed.
“I actually went over there a couple of years ago to watch my little brother play. Even then, at the younger age, they were big, tough, strong players so I think we’ll face the same.”
I’m really excited for it, mum and dad were pretty excited when I told them too.
- NSWCHS back-rower Elijah Smyth
Although he plays lock for Hawks and did the same for Greater Western, Smyth explained he’s preparing to slot onto the edge for NSW.
That role certainly isn’t unfamiliar to him and no matter where he lines up, the 17-year-old said he’ll be looking to take his good form over the Tasman Sea with him.
“I think I’ll be in the second row,” he said.
I just don’t want to let anyone down, do my job and play some good footy.”
The under 17s development side is predominantly used as a stepping stone into the open CHS side, which competes at the NSW All Schools Carnival.
He wants to make that side next year.
That makes performing well in New Zealand the perfect way to kick start his selection bid.
“I hope I can sort of show everyone that I can play well at the higher levels and yeah, I want to throw my name in the mix a bit more for next year’s CHS open side,” Smyth said.
But until he goes, he’ll be focused on trying to help his two blues side qualify for the Group 10 under 18s finals.
Hawks are sixth at the moment, two points outside the five, with four games to go.
Hawks will get two guaranteed points from their round 16 bye but also face two sides above them on the ladder – Cowra and Bathurst St Pat’s – in the last two games.
“We’re doing alright, we’ve dropped off a little bit but if we win our last few games we [might] sneak into the semi-finals,” he said.