Shute Shield 2020: Waratah, Under 20 gun Max Douglas out to make impression for Manly
He’s a standout for his sheer size alone but rugby rising star Max Douglas now needs to turn heads in the Shute Shield to realise a dream.
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Max Douglas isn’t joking when he says he’s competitive.
It’s been that way since he was a kid and this rugby gun has only got more competitive as he’s aged.
“I am very competitive, even from a kid I’d compete for just about everything, even the front seat of the car,” said Douglas, preparing for the Shute Shield with Manly.
“I’d just about belt my brother to get there.
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“I hate losing as well. I used to play my cousin in the 10s and 11s and one day I lost. I didn’t speak to him, to anyone, until after dinner because I had lost.”
A rising star of NSW rugby - and a standout at 200cm and 105kg - Douglas said while nothing hurts more than losing, missing out on a team is right up there as well.
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Hailed for his attacking skills and work in the scrum, this young Waratahs development player had his sights set on representing the Junior Wallabies at the World Cup in Argentina last year.
“The big goal was to make the World Cup squad and I missed that.’’ he said.
“I got down to the last few and didn’t get the call for Argentina. That was hard to take. Pretty disappointing.
“It was a tough pill. But I just needed to get on with it. I won’t forget that feeling in a hurry (missing selection). It will be a driving factor for me now.’’
With COVID-19 forcing the cancellation of numerous under 20 camps and events - including the World Rugby championships in Italy - Douglas is still hopeful there will be some sort of fixture between Australia and New Zealand this year.
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“It’s not dead in the water yet,” he said.
But crucial to the young talent making selection will be his performance for Manly in the Shute Shield.
“Shute Shield is a way to show you are in good form,” said the 20-year-old lock.
“If something goes ahead teams will be selected out of club rugby so it will be really important for us.’’
Douglas’s father Cameron, originally from Cowra, was a Waratahs forward and around the same age as his son when he made his debut for Manly in 1985.
“He played for Manly rugby when he left school, debuted the same age as me,’’ said the former student from St Augustine’s.
“He went on and played in the NRL with the Balmain Tigers.
“He got me into that when I was pretty young. He coached me when I was younger. He’s very supportive.’’