With consecutive grand final victories under his belt, Kempsey’s Owen Blair needed a new challenge to bring out his best in the 2018 Group Three Rugby League season.
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The scintillating Port City Breakers fullback decided to set a goal to be picked into the NSW Country Under-23’s Representative side.
Everything was going according to plan, Owen starred for the Group 3 representative side and crossed for the match-winning try against Group 2 to cement his selection into the North Coast under-23’s representative team.
Owen’s heroics continued, as he played an instrumental role in North Coast reaching the semi-finals of the CRL Men's U23’s competition.
However, the 22-year-old was left disappointed when his name wasn’t listed in the announcement of the North Coast under-23’s representative team.
“I felt I had played pretty well and done enough to be selected,” Owen told the Argus.
“I had set it as a goal to make the team at the start of the season and I was pretty sad when I missed out.
“I had busted my arse off in the rep games.”
It wasn’t the end of the story though as three months later, Owen earned just reward for his perseverance and determination to perform at his best in every game.
Read more: Brothers special grand final moment
A spot opened up in the representative team and Owen didn’t hesitate when he was notified he was next in line.
“They didn’t have to tell me much about it, I just said I am in,” Owen said.
The South West Rocks Marlins junior is proud of himself for achieving his goal and is looking forward to his opportunity to play at a high level against stiff opposition.
“I guess it may not be that impressive to some people but to work hard for something and to achieve it – it means a lot to me,” Owen said.
“Out of all of the NSW players under the age of 23, I got the call up.
“I will take it as it is, I will keep training hard, do a lot of fitness and see what happens from there.”
The NSW Country Under-23’s Representative team will tour Papua New Guinea, where rugby league is their national sport, in October and it will be Owen’s first time leaving Australia.
“I’ve never been on a plane before so I will have to overcome that fear quickly,” Owen said with a grin.
“I am just excited, it’s an awesome opportunity and I can’t wait to play.”
First, Owen will search for his third straight grand final victory with the Breakers as they await the winner of the Wauchope Blues and Port Macquarie Sharks preliminary final this weekend.
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