Country Boys To Tour Nz

Illawarra Mercury

Friday June 18, 2004

By MIKE GANDON

THREE heroes of the Illawarra under 18 Country Rugby League divisional championship side have been selected in the NSW Country under 18 team to tour New Zealand this month.

Front rower Trent Jansen, second rower Trent Grundy and centre Zac Hill capped a magnificent country campaign with representative honours.

For two weeks in a row Grundy kicked a match-winning goal in the closing stages to win a semifinal, then the final.

Illawarra coach Allan Carroll proved himself to be a master mentor of junior rugby league sides in preparing this team which was brimful of commitment, determination and character.

Illawarra went in as underdogs in the final against Western Division at Bathurst but their fighting spirit and never-say-die attitude saw them claw their way to the title.

Figtree High School student Hill echoed the feelings of all the team when he said: ``I'll remember that forever. That was one of the most amazing experiences I've ever had.

``Having `Squeaker' (Carroll) as coach and playing with all the boys and winning it was awesome."

Grundy was hoping he would not have to kick the match winning goal two weeks in a row in sudden-death finals - but he did.

``Pretty hard having to kick the first one," Grundy said.

``I'll remember them for the rest of my life.

``Everyone all the way through (the championship campaign) stood up and did their job."

With most of the crowd cheering for a Western Division victory, the pressure was intense for Grundy's country championship conversion attempt.

``They were there alright, definitely could hear them before I kicked that goal, but it felt good afterwards, definitely," Grundy said.

Jansen, the son of St George 1977 premiership winning second rower John Jansen, was thrilled to be part of Illawarra's success and that carried over into his NSW Country under 18 selection to go to New Zealand.

Understandably, ``JJ" John Jansen was proud of his son's achievement and that of the entire team.

``(Assistant coach) Peter Yatras said he had a big grin on his face when he spoke to him, but yes he said congratulations," Trent Jansen said.

``I didn't score any tries or kick any goals but a couple of offloads I guess."

Jansen did not realise he had made the touring NSW Country under 18 team.

``Trent (Grundy) pointed it out for me and I thought, `What?' I didn't believe I could have made it but I did so, yeah, happy," Jansen said.

Hill said: ``I was thrilled when I heard both Trents made it and then my name came out - awesome."

Grundy also modestly did not think he would make it but was also thrilled to have done so and cannot wait to step onto the plane as part of this representative team with many of the footballers he played against in the championship.

``It will be good playing with everyone from all over," Grundy said.