NSW junior Tom Weaver will realise his Rugby League dream this weekend when he makes his NRL debut at halfback for the Gold Coast Titans against the Penrith Panthers although not everyone might agree given he will come up against reigning Australian and NSW No.7 in Nathan Cleary.
“His response to me was that he’d much rather make his debut against the best in the game,” Titans’ Elite Player Development manager, Jamie McCormack, told nswrl.com.au
“I think that sums him up perfectly – he looks for that challenge to prove to people that he deserves the opportunity.”
Weaver’s story has its beginnings in NSWRL’s Group 18 Junior Rugby League.
“We identified him at 14 as talented young halfback from the Cudgen Hornets,” McCormack said.
“We put him on a scholarship and then contracted him at 15 years.
“He’s been in our pathways system obviously for the past five years. He’s followed that great path from Group 18 into the Northern Rivers Titans and represented NSW Country (Under 16s).
“We won the Andrew Johns Cup with him (in 2019) as our captain and he was Player of the Match in that final,” he said, referring to Northern Rivers Titans 18-6 win over the Western Rams.
“He’s progressed through and is a perfect example of how a young player from a country area can be connected to a NRL club and then realise his dream this Saturday against Penrith.”
McCormack said Weaver was a well-rounded No.7, who had earned the respect of Titans NRL players.
“Tom has a very good kicking game, a good passing game and reads the play well,” he said.
“He’s very competitive and he’s worked extremely hard at his game defensively – he tackles David Fifita week-in, week-out at training.
“It’s set him up for the considerable challenge in front of him this weekend in taking on Nathan (Cleary).
“But he won’t be intimidated at all. He’ll be confident that he can do a job for the team. I know he’s really well respected among the playing group.
“They’re all extremely excited to see Tom get his opportunity.”
