By JARROD POTTER
GIVING his all for rugby union has always inspired Reuben Rolleston.
Rolleston, 23, from Cranbourne North, has flourished in his return to rugby union after a knee injury left him on the sidelines for two years.
His return to rugby union has earned him the captaincy of Endeavour Hills Rugby Union Club and also an invitation into Melbourne’s newest top-tier sporting team – the Melbourne Rising.
The Rising will play in Australia’s National Rugby Championship (NRC) and act as a feeder club and youth system for the Melbourne Rebels, who play in the Super Rugby competition, Rolleston hopes to get a couple of starts and grasp his chance to shine on the big stage.
“My goal was always just to make the Rising squad and I’m very headstrong and believe I have the capabilities and physical attributes to make that squad,” Rolleston said.
“Once I made that squad hopefully secure one or two starting games and anything from there on the bench, I’m more than stoked and proud to be a part of.”
Growing up in Cape Town before coming to Australia with his family as a 14-year-old, Rolleston knows how hard the game can be and wants to throw himself into every opportunity to improve.
He’s grown up Australian and played for Victoria at under-14, under-16, under-18 and under-20 state level and believes the Rising – and rugby union in general in the state – can become stronger.
“Rugby is always my first gig – I’m originally from Cape Town, South Africa – and we play the game as little kids.
“I’ve been through the system and know what it’s like. We’ve got to step up with the physicality and speed when we face the other states.
“That’s the biggest thing us Melbourne boys have to step up in, but other than that, rugby is rugby and you’ve just got to throw the ball around.”
Rolleston’s belief is his opportunity with the Rising can become a chance for the entire Endeavour Hills Rugby Union Club as long as he and other Endeavour Hills’ Rising representatives help show the way to the next generation.
“Coming back this year has been fantastic and we’re trying to build something, not just for myself but for Endeavour Hills – we’re a very young club,” Rolleston said. “John Eden – Patches as we call him – what he’s trying to do with the young lads is trying to build a culture.”We might not be the richest club in Victoria but we’re definitely trying to build a culture everyone wants to be a part of.
“We want to bring the professionalism and the training from the NRC and bring it back to the club and that’s going to feed through the community and that’s where our headspace is and we want to see community rugby building up.”
Endeavour Hills Rugby Union Club is based at Frog Hollow Reserve, Endeavour Hills and for more information on playing rugby union contact the club at endeavour.hills.rufc@bigpond.com.
