Cadeyrn Neville is used to taking big steps quickly. In the space of three years, Neville has gone from suburban rugby league on Sydney’s northern beaches to the Wallabies train-on squad.
His trip quickly took him through stops at fourth grade club rugby to first grade, a Super Rugby rookie contract and then a spot in the Melbourne Rebels starting side.
With each step taken, he aims for the next.
The obvious progression is now the Test squad and a place in Australia’s starting pack.
The Roar’s David Lord predicted it. Read here.
“I always had eyes on the next level,” Neville said.
“I was never going to put a cap on myself.”
The 202cm and 120kg second rower played local rugby league for Narraweena for 11 years before trying rugby at Manly in 2009.
He’d play fourth grade for Manly on Saturday and league for Narraweena’s firsts on a Sunday, all just for some fun in the off season from his elite rowing.
“The aim was to play at the highest possible level. I was very committed to all my training and everything, even as a fourth grader,” he said.
“But it wasn’t do or die. If nothing came out of it I’d still enjoy it.
“I set myself a very long-term goal of making Super Rugby and shorter term goals of playing the next grade, then first grade.
“Achieving the goals has kept me motivated and striving for the next level.”
By 2010 he was in and out of the firsts at Manly, had given up league and shelved a promising rowing career in which he represented Australia at the Youth Olympics.
In 2011, he played every first grade game for Manly and attended the ACT Brumbies academy, joining the Rebels this year and starting his first Super Rugby game only four weeks ago.
A month after making his Super Rugby debut, Neville was this week named in Australia’s 39-man squad for the Tests against Scotland and Wales.
It’s just another nod to the 23-year-old’s admirable philosophy of being prepared and giving his all for every chance that comes his way.
“I just realise sometimes you might not get these opportunities at all. If you get the smallest one, you have to be up for it,” he said.
Rebels coach Damien Hill says team officials knew there was plenty to work with when they spotted Neville’s height, pace, aerobic capacity and natural skills at Manly last year and is delighted the Wallabies have also taken note.
Hill says Neville has great potential but still a long way to go across all facets of a forward’s game – defence, the breakdown, the scrum and the lineout.
But Australia’s coach Robbie Deans kept it simple at the Wallabies’ camp this week.
“He just said rip in,” Neville said.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
The big prop has only scored three tries in his career with the last coming in 2010.
The kick failed to pass the 22-metre line.
In the Canterbury region, it's not claret but pinot noir.
The Crusaders scrum was dominant, so rather than risk yellow cards or penalty tries, Melbourne's coach replaced the three forwards at once.
The referee initially awarded the try but had to overturn it - presumably on advice from TMO.
Melbourne's scrum was embarrassed by the push from the home side.
