Tim Ryan became just the second Reds player to score a hat-trick when he made his starting debut against the Blues.Credit:Getty
The St Patrick’s College alumni proved proficient in both rugby codes growing up. But unlike State of Origin stars Kalyn Ponga (Churchie),Angus Crichton (Scots College) and Cameron Murray (Newington College) who also hailed from prominent rugby union schools,Ryan opted to pursue a Wallabies jumper,rather than chase any potential NRL offers.
“I had a little bit of a decision to make with whether I wanted to go into league or union,and I’ve made the decision in union to follow kind of what my dad did,” Ryan said.
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“He played at Brothers,so I went to Brothers,and I haven’t really looked back after that. I don’t regret anything,I’m loving it.”
After scoring six tries in his three run-on games –including a hat-trick against the Blues – the Wallabies dream could be accelerated,after Schmidt spoke excitedly of Ryan days after his debut heroics.
Each time he has crossed the white stripe,Ryan has done so differently – classy finishes in the corner to long-range efforts mixed with an average of five tackle busts a game in the past month.
The Schmidt era promises to be one of revamp after last year’s failed World Cup campaign,withthe likes of Tom Lynagh andJosh Flook sure to be on the radar for maiden call-ups.