It is 7522 kilometres from Sydney’s south west to Thailand. All worth it though when you are going to represent your country for the first time.
In a historic clash, Thailand will host the Philippines on the 20th of October and Campbelltown’s Will Dreves will be there.
Dreves and his little brother, Jay, will run out for the Philippines in Pattaya representing their mother’s side of the family.
The side will leave Sydney on the 14th of October for promotional work in both the Philippines and in Thailand before the main game on the 20th.
An electrician by trade, Dreves has been a star in the local group six competition for the Campbelltown Eagles and has helped the club dominate this season.
His performances were rewarded with selection in the group six representative side.
You have a feeling though that representing the Philippines means a little more.
“I heard about it when I looked at results for the Cabramatta International Nines. They played in it too and found out the coach of Camden [Rams] is the assistant coach, so he’d seen me play the last few years,” Dreves said.
The former St Gregory’s College student will not only be joined by his brother but an impressive cast of National Rugby League stars.
“Matt Srama, Kevin Gordon and Andrew Everingham are all playing in it,” Dreves added.
Who ever said rugby league wasn’t an international game?
The opportunity these games provide and the places these men will get to see means everything.
Despite The Philippines National Rugby League being in its infancy, moves are being made to grow the game in Asia.
In fact, the International Nines tournament that Dreves speaks of is the very first competition the Philippines had competed in.
PNRL’s first board meeting only happened in Sydney of January this year too. They’re baby steps for now, but you can’t make history without starting something.
How many of you can say you’ve played footy in Pattaya?
Who can say they’ve played alongside Kevin Gordon, Matt Srama and Andrew Everingham?
With family no doubt watching on, Will Dreves and his brother Jay will run out for the Philippines in their historic first match against Thailand.
Just proves what kind of magical doors this great game can open.
Erick
Guest
Hi Curtis, Thanks for the write up. I'm on the PNRL board. The test match has been moved from Pattaya to Bangkok. We've got another board meeting with Andrew Charles the TRL Head Coach & tour organiser this Friday night so we may hopefully know by then which field we will have the inaugural test match on this coming October 20.
Matt_S
Roar Pro
Never heard it. Must be a union thing. I don't mind guys with Filipino mums or dads representing their country of heritage. If it helps kick start the game there then great. Even after union has been in a nation for decades you still see this happen, so for league to use the same methods then all good. Lebanon is the great (& successful) example of this. The Cedars completed a match v Canada in Toronto recently too (attracted 2500 in the rain as well) and featured on Canadian TV. Who would have imagined? Love the name Volcanoes :)
Sailosi
Guest
They featured on a billdoard modelling underwear and then they went on morning tv shows and they sought of became mini rock stars and a lot of people didn't think their ads were appropriate and it caused a fair bit of uproar. They then qualified for the top division of the Asian 5 nations which got them more publicity and then Fiji made a few remarks stating that they weren't actually Filipino and they shouldn't be able to represent them. So they have divided a lot of peoples opinions.
David
Guest
Sailosi what happened to the Phillipines rugby union side. I think it is great that these players are keen to represent their countries of heritage.
Sailosi
Guest
Good luck to them. One hopes they don't create the same controversy as the Phillipines Volcanoes, the men's rugby union team.