NRL clubs, Rugby Australia circling Riverview First XV skipper Dally Bird
After 113 years, the two rugby codes are once again locking horns over who gets Dally with both league and union keen to land Riverview First XV captain Dally Bird.
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After 113 years, there’s another battle between rugby league and rugby union to sign Dally.
Capturing Dally Messenger’s signature in 1907 kickstarted the 13-man game in Australia and the stakes might not be as high in the race to land Riverview’s Dally Bird but both codes are after a piece of the schoolboy star.
Bird, a tough and talented No.8, has attracted interest from several NRL clubs, while Rugby Australia is also keen to keep the 18-year-old.
Captain of the school’s 1st XV side, Bird represented NSW schools first XV and the Australian Under-18s sevens team last season.
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He’s spent three years in the 1st XV and dominated his Australian sevens teammates in the fitness stakes.
Bird’s combination of size, skill and mobility has put him firmly in the targets of several Sydney NRL clubs — but rugby is just as keen to hold onto him, for both sevens and fifteens.
At 192 centimetres and 95 kilograms, with plenty of growing left, Bird has the perfect build for a rugby league backrower and could be the latest schoolboy rugby star to switch codes.
Bird crossed for a double in Riverview’s 57-7 belting of Shore two weeks ago and was again among his sides’ best in the 35-21 loss to arch rival’s St Joseph’s over the weekend.
The revised GPS rugby season was scheduled to begin this weekend but Bird may not get the chance to show his wares again for some time after it was announced all GPS winter sport has been suspended effective immediately.
“In the best interest of the safety and welfare of our staff, students, volunteers and the entire AAGPS community and our many family and friends, the GPS Headmasters’ Standing Committee has announced that all AAGPS 2020 winter sport competitions and fixtures will be suspended effective immediately,” AAGPS chairman Mark Ticehurst said on Tuesday.
“The remainder of the 2020 calendar will remain as per scheduled, with schools permitted to conduct sporting activities within current government health and safety guidelines in preparation for the recommencement of AAGPS sporting fixtures when it is deemed safe to do so.”