Shute Shield: Sevens gun Maurice Longbottom making mark at Randwick rugby

Tokyo Olympic hopeful Maurice Longbottom is back on the tools part-time and doing what he does best - proving people wrong on the footy field.

Maurice Longbottom at a very wet Sydney Sevens match between New Zealand and Australia at Bankwest Stadium in February.

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Less than two months ago rugby speedster Maurice Longbottom had never played a game of 15s rugby.

The sevens gun also admitted he struggled to watch the game because he “thought it was a bit boring”.

Six rounds into the Shute Shield he is one of the standouts of the competition for league leaders Randwick and one of its top try scorers.

Australia's Maurice Longbottom in action at the London World Rugby Sevens series event.

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“I’d never played 15s so this is all pretty new to me,” said Longbottom, part of the Australian men’s sevens program which had all its competitions cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“But I knew the Ella’s and they spoke to me about Randwick and a lot of my mates played here so it was an easy choice for me.

“I am enjoying. I didn’t think I would like it. I struggled to watch it to be honest. I though it was a bit boring, a lot of kicking, not so much running.

“Now I find myself watching. I’m a convert.”

Maurice Longbottom has learned to appreciate rugby 15s.

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Longbottom, who is working as a carpenter part time with his old boss, said he enjoys showing the naysayers who said he was too small for rugby league find his feet in rugby.

“I grew up playing rugby league. But I pushed as much as I would . I had enough of hearing I was too small and that stuff,” said the 165cm, 73 kilo athlete who signed his contract with the sevens in 2017.

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“It was really nice to find a game that wanted me for my skills. That I fit.”

The 25-year-old from Maroubra said he is enjoying the physicality of the 15s game.

“The physicality isn’t an issue, Sometimes I find myself in the middle of the ruck and I really like it,” he said,

“I’ve played every game this season but I’m still getting used to playing for 80 minutes.”

Randwick are undefeated after six rounds and take on Eastwood this weekend at Coogee Oval.

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Originally published as Shute Shield: Sevens gun Maurice Longbottom making mark at Randwick rugby