Teen gun goes from NSW Lismore floods to chasing rugby dream with Country juniors in Sydney

Jack Taylor hasn't had a rugby field to play on for much of the year due to the devastating NSW floods but that’s not stopping this teen dreaming big about a career in the sport he loves.

It was hard to wipe the smile off teenager Jack Taylor’s face during the Country Juniors match against GPS White in Sydney on Tuesday.

While the scoreline went against Taylor and his Country rugby mates at the match at Northbridge, the 17-year-old was back playing the game he loves.

Action in the Country v GPS White trial in Sydney on Tuesday. Pic: Jeremy Piper

The teen from Woodburn, near Lismore, has already attracted attention from a Sydney Shute Shield club and their colts program ahead of the 2023 season.

And on the weekend he was named in the NSW Juniors XV with numerous Country teammates. FULL STORY

Young rugby talent Jackson Taylor in his Country Juniors colours at Tuesday game. Country went down to GPS White 69-19.

Not bad for a young gun whose Lismore rugby club and its playing fields were wiped out by the devatsating floods in February.

“The water got to the level of the goalposts (cross bar) and the club was completely flooded,’’ Taylor said.

The Country Rigby team at a day of trial matches at Shore Playing Fields.

“We just had to clean it up. We'd got most of the stuff out of the clubhouse but the balls, pumps, tackle shields and things like that were gone.

“But it united the community and when we finished we went round to all our sponsors to help them clean up as well.’’

Aerial photos of the devastating Lismore floods. Pic: Nigel Hallett

The fly half was introduced to the sport by his father Ray who played rugby with Drummoyne, West Harbour in the Shute Shield and semi-professionally in Ireland.

“I just inherited his love for the game,’’ Tayor said.

GPS White dominated the match against Country.

The rugby talent said his father is encouraging him to push on with his rugby career and to make the most of opportunity offered.

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Originally published as Teen gun goes from NSW Lismore floods to chasing rugby dream with Country juniors in Sydney