St George Illawarra Dragons National Youth Competition winger Patrick Herbert is humbled to be training alongside the first-grade squad.
The Tamaki Rugby Union junior is a recent convert to rugby league and only commence playing competitively for the Young Dragons last campaign.
Click Here To Become A Red V Member And March With Us In 2016!
Herbert is amongst a contingent of Under 20s invited by Head Coach Paul McGregor to train alongside the first-grade squad this pre-season and is thankful for the opportunity to continue his development.
“It was my first season playing rugby league last year so I had no confidence and just tried my best,” said Herbert.
“I would love to step-up and play NRL one day and I’ve taken confidence from being able to train one-day a week with the first-grade squad.
“I hope to be able to extend my knowledge learnt here and take it back to the Under 20s players.
“I started playing rugby union at a young age just like every boy in New Zealand and was lucky enough to receive a scholarship to play at St Kentigern College during my senior years.
“It was there that I met a mate who convinced me to try rugby league and here I am.
“Being a winger, the transition from one code to the other was easier with similar policies but there are differences with defence and jamming as well as not dropping back and of course the five tackle rule.
“The senior players like Jason Nightingale have been really good to me and being shy and not willing to ask they are upfront and tell me what I need to improve upon.”
