Former Inverell Highlander Rhiannon Byers was “gobsmacked” when she was asked to sign a contract with Australia. The ex Warialda High student has spent many long hours striving to reach the professional level, but says becoming an Australian development player early this year still sent her speechless.
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“I was very, very shocked, but at the same time excited and very proud of what I’ve achieved,” she said.
“It was one of the goals was to get an Australian development contract, and when that happened, I was like ‘Is this real?’ Now that’s ticked and now I’ve just got to keep ticking the boxes and setting goals for myself.”
Former coach Dale Beattie was not so surprised.
“I just thought she was ready to make that next step, and being so dominant on the Aon Series last year with past and present Australian players and the best rugby sevens players in Australia,” he said.
“She was ready to handle that next step up, and she again proved that at the Oceania Sevens.”
Byers was a key player in the Oceania Sevens as they took on Fiji late last year, and made a try-saving tackle in their close won game against New Zealand, a move that may have secured her position with Australia.
She’s hoping to make a similar impact as she takes on a series of internal trials tomorrow, with the chance of joining the Sydney Sevens.
“I’m willing to learn and fix it and not drop my head if I make a mistake, so tomorrow’s a bit crucial for that,” she said.
“If she performs tomorrow, she may well get her debut on the world series at the end of the month,” Beattie said.
Two weeks in, and Byers is already seeing an improvement in her game, with stronger tackles and better passing techniques. Her teammates have been a delight, always willing to help her get up to speed, right from the first, nerve wracking training session.
“You’re very happy to come in because you know you’ve got good culture around you when you’re absolutely wrecked and you’re running around,” she said. She recalled almost reaching her limit last Friday.
“I was pushing the sled, but my legs were that dead that I couldn’t even move, I was just running on the spot. And every single girl was walking beside me saying ‘you can do it, you can do it!’”
“It was that support culture that you need for yourselves as a team. I’m very privileged to be training with them everyday.”
A physical player, Beattie says Byers is exactly what Australia’s been looking for in their next generation of players, as they take on sides like the United States and New Zealand. He feels she has a bright future ahead of her.
“She’s only just turned 19, so she’s at that ideal age, particularly leading into the 2020 Tokyo Olympics,” he said.
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Naomi Shumack
Born and bred in Inverell, I'm passionate about community journalism. I'm the youngest of five kids, am a book worm and have a ridiculous movie collection. I have a double degree in Communications and International Studies from the University of Wollongong. I write stories for the Inverell Times, Moree Champion and Goondiwindi Argus. You can contact me at naomi.shumack@fairfaxmedia.com.au or on 0438 606 351.
Born and bred in Inverell, I'm passionate about community journalism. I'm the youngest of five kids, am a book worm and have a ridiculous movie collection. I have a double degree in Communications and International Studies from the University of Wollongong. I write stories for the Inverell Times, Moree Champion and Goondiwindi Argus. You can contact me at naomi.shumack@fairfaxmedia.com.au or on 0438 606 351.
