La Perouse carpenter aims for gold in rugby sevens

RUGBY sevens sensation Maurice Longbottom will be one of Australia’s top gold medal hopes when he heads to Tokyo with the national squad in two years.

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RUGBY Sevens sensation Maurice Longbottom will be one of Australia’s top gold medal hopes when he heads to Tokyo with the national squad in two years.

Such has been his rapid rise in the sport, the 23-year-old didn’t even watch the sevens at the Rio Olympics.

“I didn’t know it was on,” the former La Perouse carpenter said. “I didn’t even know it was an Olympic sport.”

Longbottom has gone from league reject to the toast of the sevens world in just a matter of years.

Maurice Longbottom with indigenous youngsters in La Perouse. Picture. Phil Hillyard

Born and bred in La Perouse, he, of course, grew up wanting to play for the Rabbitohs. He was on the cusp of making it before coaching staff decided he was too small (he’s just 1.7m).

Longbottom was devastated. In 2015 he took up a mate’s offer to play in a sevens events in Coffs Harbour. He hasn’t looked back since.

“I absolutely love it,” he said. “If the Rabbitohs came along now I probably wouldn’t even consider it. I love doing what I’m doing.”

Longbottom runs with the ball during the World Rugby Sevens Series match between Fiji and Australia in February. Photo MICHAEL BRADLEY

His quick feet and lightning pace make him perfect for the format and before long he was terrifying defences across the country.

Word spread, videos were shared on YouTube and Rugby Australia got in touch. Wherever he goes, the superlatives follow. But he hasn’t forgotten his La Perouse Aboriginal heritage.

“It is everything to be able to represent my people and my community. To be a role model for kids and showing a different pathway in life is really important.”

He lives just up the road in Maroubra and credits friends and family, who mostly still live in La Perouse, for keeping his feet on the ground.

Longbottom of Australia scores a try during the match between Australia and Fiji in Germany last year. Photo: Alex Grimm

Longbottom picked up an ankle injury against New Zealand at the end of January but he’s on track for Commonwealth Games in April, where Australia will be among the favourites.