Love for club driving Sydney Rugby Union 1st Colts winger Nick Swain for Easts v Wildfires

It’s as important as skill at times and you would be hard pressed to find a rugby young gun with more passion for the game - and his club - than this 1st Colts player ahead of round two.

Amanda Lulham

@amandalulham

2 min read

April 10, 2025 - 8:06AM

News Sport Network

Nick Swain in the 1st Colts opener against Southern Districts: Picture: Supplied Paul Seiser/SPA Images

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Eastern Suburb’s winger Nick Swain has a highly prized jersey in his cupboard that he still wishes he could squeeze into.

It’s the one he was handed when asked to ball boy a first grade match for his beloved Easts club when he was around 10.

“I still have that jersey. I look at it. I kind of wish it still fit,” said Easts junior Swain ahead of the second round of the Sydney Rugby Union 1st Colts this weekend.

“I’m pretty proud of that jersey.

“I just love everything about Easts. I’ve got a cupboard full of Easts stuff. I keep it all.

“I’ve been playing Easts juniors since I was four. Started at the club, always been at the club, been there my entire life.”

Last season Swain, now 20, played 1st, 2nd and 3rd Colts but was part of the 3rd Colts team that won the grand final, the same day their first grade team claimed the Shute Shield.

Nick Swain in the match against Southern Districts. Picture: Supplied Paul Seiser/SPA

This year Swain, who believes his game has grown after time spent playing rugby in Ireland while travelling, played 1st Colts in an opening round where Easts where on the receiving end of the first shock of the season.

The defending champions, minus five of their rep players, were knocked over by Southern Districts in a major boilover.

Nick Swain is a passionate clubmate.

“We just have to take it on the chin and move on,’’ said Swain, who played his school rugby at Cranbrook before injuries in Year 11 and 12 and is now studying business at the University of Technology.

The competition provides athletes with a second chance to impress both Waratahs selectors looking to put together their squad for Super Rugby U19s later this year and Australian selectors working on an U20s squad for a series of international events, including the World Cup.

Swain would love nothing better than to grow his game but said his No. 1 priority is to excel for his club.

“Right now I just want to win at Easts and see how far I can get,’’ he said.

Easts will take on the Hunter Wildfires at home on Saturday.

The visitors in round one only just lost to Warringah in Newcastle.

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