Manly’s rising rugby star Dally Bird leads Gen Blues Schools Selection XV

He might carry the first name of a rugby league legend but it is in rugby union that schoolboy star Dally Bird took the hits - and a big win - on the weekend.

Young football talent Dally Bird. Pic: Supplied

He was named after a character in the book The Outsiders, not the legendary Dally Messenger, and has never actually played a game of rugby league in his life.

And last weekend Dally Bird was thrilled to be captaining a rugby team despite talk he’s the target of NRL clubs interested in poaching the recently graduated Riverview schoolboy to their code.

Bird led the Gen Blue Schools Selection XV to a 17-0 victory against a Gen Blues junior team selected after a match between Sydney and Country at Camden Rugby Park early this month.

Young rugby union talent Dally Bird. Pic: Supplied

With the coronavirus pandemic forcing mass cancellations and rejigging of sport in 2020, Bird said he was happy to play in only his ninth game of rugby this year.

“My main thing at school was trial games and five GPS games so we’ve all been looking to play more games,’’ said Bird, who finished his HSC exams a week ago and is looking to study property economics.

And while the 94kg, 18-year-old 15s and Sevens talent is leaving all doors open when it comes to his sporting career, he admits his heart lies with rugby - a sport his three brothers, sister and father all play or played.

Young rugby union talent Dally Bird. Pic: Supplied

Bird, who has had interest from the Sydney Roosters, has two brother playing at Eastwood in Jackson and Macintyre with sister Tatum playing with Randwick Rugby in the recent Jack Scott Cup.

Dad David Bird played with the Two Blues and holds the record at the club for the most matches with the western Sydney club.

“I have been playing rugby union my whole life,’’ said the talented No. 8 who played his junior footy at Eastwood Rugby, captained Riverview’s 1st XV and played for the Australian u18s Sevens side.

Dally Bird will captain his side on Sunday. Pic: Supplied

“I was playing at three or four in the under sixes, not doing too much, just running around, but I never played league,’’ he said.

“I love rugby. There were a couple of (NRL) clubs interested and I’m leaving my options open.

“My dream would be the Waratahs and Wallabies and making a living out of it.’’

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Originally published as Manly’s rising rugby star Dally Bird leads Gen Blues Schools Selection XV