Harrison Usher worked his way through his schoolboy rugby career, making state sides but never earning a call-up to represent his country.
Each time a mate pulled on the Wallabies’ famous gold jersey Usher would smile through gritted teeth, knuckle down and train harder.
Things shifted when he graduated from The King’s School and headed North to Bond University on a sports leadership scholarship.
He was quickly identified as leadership material by the Bull Sharks and handed the captaincy of the Colts One side. His on-field education was fast-tracked when he began to be used by coach Grant Anderson as a strike weapon off the bench late in First Grade games.
Queensland Rugby recognised his undoubted potential and invited him into the Reds Academy.
“The move from Sydney to up here has really helped me,” Usher said.
“And then getting some time in premier grade up here, those boys are giving me so many valuable insights and tips, especially around scrum time.
“And having the opportunity to captain the colts has allowed me to take on some leadership and I think that is helping me progress my own game.”
He has spent this year in the extended Junior Wallabies squad and this week made the final cut for the two Test series against New Zealand – a key lead-in tournament for the Under 20s World Championship in South African next month.
The 19-year-old will suit up for the Bull Sharks against GPS on Saturday before heading into camp with the Aussie squad here on the Gold Coast on Monday.
The games will be played at the NZIC campus at 12pm on Monday, May 29 and again at Sky Stadium at 2.30pm on Saturday, June 3.
“I’ve had mates go through the system before - a few good school mates made it last year and for me to miss out only made me hungrier,” he said.
“And to be able to finally put it on (Wallabies jersey), it is a dream come true and I can’t be more excited.
“I have put in the work and I am ready to go.’’
Bond Colts coach and former All Black Rico Gear believes Usher has the physical capabilities and personal characteristics to develop into a complete footballer.
“He’s got a physical presence which is great, especially with the position he plays in the front row,” Gear said.
“He certainly leads with his actions.
“He is great on the ball carry and his set pieces are really strong.
“He has been really consistent with his performances and he takes his rugby really seriously.
“Harrison is definitely a leader of men.”
Front rowers develop at a slower pace than players in any other position and Gear said he had been pleasantly surprised at the way Usher had adjusted to Queensland Premier Rugby.
“It has been great seeing him come on for First Grade, I didn’t think he would go as well as he has at the next level so quickly,” he confessed.
“If someone can dominate as a young man playing senior footy then you know you have a good footballer, and he has certainly been doing that.
“He is making big strides and when we talk about learning his craft, we’ve got Grant Anderson who was a professional front rower, so he is certainly surrounded by a lot of good people.’’