It seems a long time ago that Evan Olmstead suited up in
Canada’s forward pack in the IRB World Junior Trophy competition. The reality
is that so much has transpired since that 2011 tournament, that it must seem unreal
at times to the talented blindside flanker.
After returning to Australia in 2011 for his studies, as
well as his role with his Gordon RFC club in the Shute Shield competition,
Olmstead quickly came to the attention of the HSBC Warathas coaching
staff. One of the duties of Super Rugby
coaches is to watch carefully for young impressive local talent in Australia’s
Premier Grade, which is the national competition level immediately below the
Super 15. The Shute Shield is the Premier Grade competition in and around
Sydney, in New South Wales.
Olmstead was granted extended training opportunities with
the Warathas and became exposed to the furious training regiments required by
athletes who compete regularly at that standard. Those who have followed the recent exploits
of fellow Canadian back-row Jebb Sinclair with the DHL Stormers, in South
African Super Rugby, will know just how precious such experience is to
ambitious Canadian rugby players.
Determined to advance his chances of eventually winning
selection at the Super 15 level, Olmstead made the move from Gordon to the
Paramatta “Two Blues”; a decision that has paid off in spades this season.
“I've been playing for Parramatta this year in the Shute Shield
competition. We've been regularly playing against current and former Wallabies
and Super Rugby players, because over here it’s the next step down from Super
15. We have an ex-All Black in our team, Sosene Anesi, its fantastic playing
week in week out with guys like him.
My Parramatta team is in the playoffs, which start this
weekend. It’s hugely exciting. It turned out to be a great move for me, as
Gordon finished second-last in the standings.”
Olmstead and his squad will be in tough this weekend, as the
Shute Shield playoffs get underway; however, there is tremendous reason for
optimism about his prospects going forward. His successful season at Paramatta
has earned him even more positive attention.
“In terms of professional stuff the coaching change at the
HSBC Waratahs is a bit unfortunate right now, because Michael Foley (the outgoing
coach) liked me and was impressed with my work last off-season and had invited
me back, at the very least. Now he has moved to a team on the other side of the
country so it will be interesting to see what if anything happens this summer.
The bright news is that one of the biggest rugby agents in Australia
signed me up recently, which is exciting and so now we just wait and see.”
The Canadian rugby public will also be waiting and
watching. Olmstead is not the only
Canadian to gain success in Australia recently. Current Ontario Blues hooker
Ray Barkwell is back making a name for himself in the Canadian Rugby
Championship (C.R.C.), after playing for the “A” side of the Western Force, in
Australia.
Despite having bright prospects like Conor McCann, Cam
Pierce and Djustice Sears- Duru developing at some of Europe’s finest rugby
academies; it seems that the Southern Hemisphere can also be a training ground
for ambitious Canadians who are looking to test themselves at the highest
levels. Exactly how high Evan Olmstead's rugby dreams will take him will be a
story worth following over the next few years.
Follow Evan Olmstead on Twitter at: @EvanOlmstead21
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Jeff Hull is a freelance contributor to Rugby Canada. His
Rugby Canada Pro Report can be read regularly on this website, as well as on
Facebook, Twitter and in the blogosphere.
To contact the author, write to: jhull@rugbycanada.ca
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