City v Country rugby: How Tom Robertson helped put teen Ollie Aboud back on track during Covid

Covid stopped junior sport in its tracks and dimmed this young rugby player’s love of the game. But his dad had a bright idea which has put him right back on track for success.

Young rugby player Ollie Aboud is playing in the City v Country match in Bathurst on Sunday. Pic: Supplied

Ollie Aboud is the first to admit he lost his love of rugby during Covid, its long lockdowns and sporting restrictions.

The 15-year-old, part of the U16 City team heading to Bathurst to take on Country this Sunday, said he contemplated quitting the game he has loved since his early days playing for the Clovelly Eagles.

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Then his dad Darren came up with a bright idea which put him right back on track for success.

Young rugby player Ollie Aboud, right, has high hops for success at the City v Country gala. Pic: Supplied

“During Covid there was nothing happening, no games and there was a time when I didn’t want to play rugby any more,” said Aboud, who goes into the City v Country event having won the state championships with his Randwick club.

“Then dad found Tom Robertson (Wallaby and Waratah) and we did some one-on-one.

“It was so good, so good to do something with someone.

“We just did fitness and skills and passing and I just got back into it again and just started loving it again.’’

Tom Robertson of the Waratahs in 2019.

Captain of the Sydney junior state championship side, the Waverly College schoolboy is playing for a win against Country in Bathurst on Sunday but also a spot on the Gen Blue U16 squad that will be named in the wake of the tournament.

“The country team, we watched them for a bit at the Gen Blue invitational,’’ he said.

“They have good structure and defence.

“We’ve never played them though, so we don’t know really know what they’re like.

“But that’s what I like. It’s more exciting not knowing too much about them. We can’t predict what will happen.”

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