Reds & Qld Country winger Jock Campbell hails influence of The Southport School in formative years

HE’S become the poster boy for Super Rugby late-bloomers and Queensland Reds rookie Jock Campbell says he has The Southport School’s proud rugby traditions to thank.

HE’S become the poster boy for Super Rugby late-bloomers and Queensland Reds rookie Jock Campbell says he has The Southport School’s proud rugby traditions to thank.

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At 24, Campbell’s path to a breakout nine-game season with the Reds this year was one less travelled.

The Inverell-born winger was not a junior representative star and played just a handful of games for the TSS First XV during his time as a boarder from 2008-12.

After leaving school, he headed to Queensland Premier Rugby powerhouse University of Queensland but never envisaged being picked up by the Reds at the end of 2018.

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Now in his third season with NRC title contenders Queensland Country, Campbell said his time at TSS had taught him the value of hard work and persistence.

“Obviously TSS had a big part (to play), I learned most of my rugby there. The standard at TSS is pretty high, I don’t think I lost a game for two years there,” Campbell said.

Queensland Reds and Queensland Country winger Jock Campbell, a former student at The Southport School. Picture: QRU - Brendan Hertel

“I did 14 As, 14 Bs and when I was in Grade 12 I did third grade and seconds. I came off the bench a few times for the firsts.

“I just enjoyed playing it. At 14, I just played every sport I could get my hands on. Obviously you dream of being a professional sportsman but I didn’t really focus on one sport specifically.

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“I think I developed a bit later than most people. I went to UQ in Brisbane and just wanted to play club footy, (playing for the Reds) wasn’t really a goal.

“It’s all really unexpected when I think back then to just playing there (at TSS) on the ovals.”

A member of the title-winning Queensland Country team two years ago, Campbell and his teammates enter Round 3 of the 2019 campaign on the back of a first-up loss and a 36-23 defeat of Canberra Vikings on Sunday.

Jock Campbell in action for the Reds against the Sharks in April. Picture: Anesh Debiky / AFP

Now preparing to play away to winless Sydney on Saturday, Campbell said he hoped to become a source of inspiration for any player who thought a shot at Super Rugby had passed them by.

“I hope someone does sit down and think just because they’re not in the A team, they don’t give up. It would be pretty cool if that is the case,” he said.

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“The most important thing to playing footy is enjoying it. Obviously (mine) is a bit of a different journey to a lot of other people.

“The last couple of years has been amazing. As you play more games you get more confident.

“We really want to do well (with Queensland Country) this year like we have in the last couple. We want to come out firing and show the competition we are still the team to beat.”