Former USC Barbarians winger Garry Jones to play in County Championship final

A former Sunshine Coast A-grade premiership winner will make his childhood rugby dream a reality this weekend when he runs out on one of the world’s most famous sporting arenas. Read what he had to say.

Former USC Barbarians player Garry Jones.

A former Sunshine Coast rugby union star has reflected on his journey to the other side of the world as he runs out for the County Championship at Twickenham this weekend.

Garry Jones, a former USC Barbarians junior and A-grade winger first made the move to the UK in July 2023.

After impressing for Canterbury in the London and South East Division, Jones was selected in the Kent County representative team.

Kent have since beaten division rivals Hampshire, Cornwall and Surrey to play in Saturday’s Bill Beaumont division 1 final against Yorkshire.

“To be honest, it still hasn’t really sunk in,” he said.

Garry Jones as a junior in action for the USC Barbarians. Picture: Contributed.

“I remember 12 months ago when I was still in Australia and playing for USC, watching the county final on YouTube and now to be playing in it this weekend is so surreal.”

The landscape worker and rugby coach would also be celebrating his 25th birthday on the day of the game.

He said after winning the 2021 Sunshine Coast A-grade premiership with USC, the time was right for him to make the move.

“I knew it was something I always wanted to do since I was about 17, but I wanted to finish my university studies first and then Covid-19 hit so it was a bit delayed,” he said.

USC Barbarians celebrate winning the Sunshine Coast 2021 A-grade premiership.

“After winning the A-grade final I thought it was now or never as I wanted to push myself more and there’s that added opportunity to pursue a semi-professional rugby career in the UK.”

The former Sunshine Coast Grammar student said he was proud of what he had achieved.

“It was hard at the start, leaving all my best mates behind on the Sunshine Coast but I have properly settled in now,” he said.

Garry Jones in action for Canterbury. Picture: Contributed.

“The coaching is class and I played 28 out of 29 games in my first season which is a big increase to the Australian season which usually only has around 15 games.

“Making my County side has been incredible as it’s something I set out to do when I moved here and I was lucky enough to have a good season and now play alongside some top players from other clubs.”

The match will kick off from 3pm on June 15 and is available to watch live via the England Rugby YouTube Channel.