Shute Shield: Norths Nick Duffy’s brief Waratahs experience has him wanting more

He was part of one of the strangest call-ups to a professional sport team ever and it has given this Shute Shield rugby young gun a hunger for more success.

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Nick Duffy was at work when an unexpected call came through asking if he had a passport.

The next day another call followed, telling him to pack his bags and head to the airport within a few hours to joins the Waratahs on tour in Argentina.

“There were a few injuries and I must have been the only halfback left in the country,’’ Duffy laughed of the 2018 call out of the blue.

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While he never made it onto the pitch for the Waratahs, the experience gave Duffy a taste for the life of a professional footballer.

Northern Suburbs rugby player Nick Duffy in full flight.

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Now the former Australian schoolboy and Northern Suburbs gun is hoping a top season in the Shute Shield will helps him forge forward to his goal of playing pro.

“That was a good two weeks alway,’’ he said of his time with the Waratahs.

“It was my first taste of what professional footy was about and I loved it.

“The goal for the future is to get signed by someone in Australia or overseas. Anywhere that will take me. I’m not fussy.

“To be in an environment to work on your craft. It’s incredible.

“I’m happy to work hard for it. I’ll just keep my head down and keep playing.’’

Northern Suburbs rugby player Nick Duffy has a brief stint with the Waratahs two seasons ago.

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Duffy, 24, raised on a farm outside Dubbo, was introduced to rugby by his father who coached at the Dubbo Roos.

The former Australian schoolboy then moved to Orange before relocating to Sydney for his final two years of school at St Joseph’s College.

Northern Suburbs still have a chance of winning the minor premiership in Shute Shield.

After a stint at Sydney University he has found a home at Northern Suburbs rugby club despite now living in Bellevue Hill.

“I didn’t think about playing for Easts. I had mates playing at Norths which is why I am there,’’ he said.

This weekend Norths, currently in second place on the ladder behind Gordon, play Southern Districts in round 11 of the Shute Shield.