Matthew Dorl inspired by David Campese at Mackay rugby union tournament
Representing his country is higher on the bucket list than playing NRL, and Matthew Dorl is getting tips and tricks from a Wallabies idol.
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The lure of representing Australia at the Olympics is stronger than playing in the NRL for some of Mackay’s brightest rugby union stars.
Players from eight Mackay schools, spanning four different divisions, will battle it out for rugby supremacy in the Rugby Union Schools Cup.
Holy Spirit hooker Matthew Dorl said his dream would be to play for the Wallabies one day.
“Who wouldn’t? That’s everyone’s dream,” he said.
“I’m training with the Brothers’ first grade union side at the moment, it has been good to learn from them.
“There’s that professionalism about the group that comes with the experience, a bit more structure and they just know what they’re doing.”
A damaging hooker, Dorl breaks lines using his strong frame and controls the scrum and rucks throughout the game.
He said specialist coaching helped him develop the skills to become a better rugby player.
“It’s pretty good competition here in Mackay, we’re excited to challenge on the field and keep learning and gaining more knowledge,” he said.
“We’ve got a really good coach in Kyle Danns and David Campese, who taught me some of the little technical aspects of scrumming and rucking, things I didn’t know before.”
Dorl spent time with Wallabies legend Campese, who travelled to Mackay for rugby union training camps in the area.
Campese said it was difficult for rugby union to compete with league when juniors “can’t even name their favourite players” when asked.
“It is hard, especially when league is so entrenched and is on TV every single night,” he said.
“Once we get to a stage where rugby is entertaining again, where people are playing a style of rugby that everyone wants to play then that’s how you get people in.
“We’re probably very unique in Australia, where there’s so many different sports and they’re all competing with each other a bit.”
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