Country Hall-star | Coffs Coast Rugby League | NRL Rugby in Coffs Coast

WHEN Ryan Hall was named in the under 16 rugby league NSW Country team, no-one was more surprised with his selection than him.

“I was surprised because I wasn't really happy with my game,” the 15-year-old said of the trial for spots in the Country team.

“I played at right centre but they kept playing down the left side.”

At least one of the selectors must have liked what he saw from the Orara Valley Tomahawk, though, as he was selected to play on the wing for the team that will be playing against Queensland Country in Forster next weekend.

Hall puts the reason that the ball was travelling on the other side of the field during the trial down to the fact that other players in his team had combinations already set while he was the only player from the entire Group 2 competition to make it that far.

“Being the only Group 2 player I was kind of lonely out there,” he admitted.

The Orara High student won't be lonely next week as he travels down to Forster for a four-day training camp leading into the match against their cross-border foes.

The Bulldogs supporter is hoping the camp will help him feel at ease about playing on the wing.

“I normally play in the centres and this will probably be my first game on a wing,” the quietly spoken back said.

Secretly he's hoping for a crack in the centres next week and maybe he will have an ally who can help him during the match.

The coach of the Country team is Group 2's Maurie Hulbert who is certainly aware of Hall's abilities.

“Maurie is the coach so hopefully he'll be switching me a bit to the centres.”

Currently a member of the Brisbane Broncos elite development program, the pacy youngster rates his tackling and his speed as his greatest assets on the field.

Hoping one day to emulate the deeds of his football heroes Ryan Girdler and Craig Gower, maybe a fine display for the Country team next weekend will be a large stepping stone to making those dreams come true.