MOSES Sorovi will be keeping a close eye on rival halfback Will Genia in the Wallabies trial match at Leichhardt Oval tonight, for three reasons.
One: Genia is the boyhood idol of Sorovi, who once trod in the same footsteps at Ballymore as the rising young Reds halfback has done for the past year.
Two: Sorovi will be using his call-up to the Super Rugby selection team as a chance to grow and learn up-close from the no.1 halfback in Australia.
And three, on the most basic level: the 22-year-old knows if he takes his eyes off Genia for too long, he’ll be standing with his team behind the goalposts waiting for a conversion attempt.
“Willy G is my biggest idol. I have looked up to him since I was growing up in high school, and going up against him will be a big thing. It is a dream come true for me to be lining up against him,” Sorovi told RUGBY.com.au.
Sorovi emerged this year as one of the shining lights of an up-and-down Queensland season, sticking his hand high in the air as a player to watch with some electrifying work at the Reds’ ruckbase.
In a tightly contested position at Queensland, where Tate McDermott, James Tuttle and even Ben Lucas spent time in the no.9, Sorovi started three games and sparked the Reds up when coming off the bench.
The proud Thursday Islander said he taken a lot of confidence from the 2018 season, after turning potential shown in the NRC into a Super Rugby debut.
Sorovi said he hoped to use it as a springboard into an even bigger year in 2019.
“I have a couple of starts, three starts this year. So I am a lot more comfortable in Super Rugby and we will see what comes. I’d love to keep going next year and keep growing and keep learning,” Sorovi said.
And what better way to do than go head-to-head with Genia.
Sorovi routinely hits YouTube and scours game tape to watch the best halfbacks in the world, and pick up new skills and mentalities.
“I always watch other halfbacks, and I have always been a huge admirer of Willy G. It’s gonna be a special night for me, that’s for sure,” Sorovi said.
“I have learned a lot from other halfbacks like Aaron Smith and TJ Perenara, and now going up against Willy, it is probably one of the biggest achievements for any young halfback.
“There will be plenty for me to learn this week. I will see how he plays and pick up stuff I can improve in my game.
“I try to play with my own style but I will look to see how he organises the team and leads the team around. Those will be the two main things I will try and learn from him.”
The Wallabies take on a Super Rugby Selection on Friday August 3, kicking off at 6:45pm AEST, LIVE and FREE on RUGBY.com.au. Entry is free, with all spectators in the running to win two tickets and a trip to the Japan Bledisloe, courtesy of We Love Rugby.
