LOCAL primary school student Will Johnston will take on some of the best junior rugby players from across the country next month after being named in the NSW PSSA state team.
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11 year-old Johnston starred for his Polding side during the recent NSW PSSA Rugby Union Championships at Kiama as his team fell just short of claiming the state title after going down to MacKillop in the final.
But Johnston's outstanding performances were rewarded with a place in the state team which will head to Adelaide next month to take on South Australia, the ACT and Victoria.
"We're exceptionally proud, it's overwhelming but we're ready for the challenge," Johnston's mother Katie said.
The St Mary's student caught the eye of the selectors on the very first day of the carnival when Polding went up against Western, a side which featured fellow Dubbo juniors Callum Dowling, Jayden Blake and Lachie Sinclair.
Polding proved far too strong and powered to a 32-nil win with Johnston, a strong number eight, scoring a hugely impressive hat-trick.
After defeating Western and MacKillop in the group stage, Johnston and his Polding team mates then recorded wins over East Sydney and Sydney West on their way to making the final.
Polding were unable to repeat the result from against MacKillop earlier in the week as the the team featuring players from Canberra, Parramatta, Wollongong and Wagga Wagga recorded a hard-fought 19-12 win in the decider.
Despite Polding just missing out on the state title it was still a commendable run to the final and the shock of Johnston being picked in the state side capped off the week.
"He's had a fantastic season so to come and do this when he's still only in year five, most of the others are in year six, you could have just pushed us over," Katie Johnston said.
"We didn't even anticipate it, he's had a great season with the Roos and he played central west too but to play for the state team left us gobsmacked."
The competition at Adelaide next month is just another achievement in a stellar year for the young number eight and he will now travel to Sydney every weekend in the leadup to playing at Adelaide during the October long weekend.
Johnston, who played this season with the local under-13s Roos Red team, and the NSW squad will train at Sydney and play trial matches against the likes of the Kings school and Eastwood and his mother admits the talented youngster was "chuffed" by his selection.
"He's just a quiet kid and he's happy to go along with things but I think he was a bit shocked and very proud of himself," she said.
