RUGBY UNION
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CSU Reddies big-man Sterling Ross hopes a stint playing rugby union in Hong Kong will create a permanent link between the Asian competition and the Southern Inland Rugby Union (SIRU) club.
Ross will jet off to Hong Kong in the New Year and will spend three months playing overseas, before returning just in time to line up for the Reddies to kick off the SIRU season.
"I'm very excited," Ross said.
"I've done a bit of travel, I've been to Thailand, the UK and a few places.
"But I don't really know what to expect from Hong Kong, other than it will be hot and humid.
"I looked it up and the temperatures are only going to be 22 or 24 (degrees) but the humidity is something like 80 per cent which will be interesting to play in."
Ross was put in contact with the Hong Kong competition after it approached experienced CSU coach Mick Wakeling expressing an interest in a player exchange.
While no Hong Kong players are scheduled to make an appearance for the Reddies in 2014, Ross believes the idea is to create an annual swap.
"I think they are talking about sending one of their players over to play here," he said.
"(Wakeling) had eight years over there so I think he has a fair few contacts in Hong Kong."
It will add another string to the bow of Ross, who got a taste of playing rugby in England earlier this year on a similar exchange.
The towering No 8 spent three months running around in a semi-professional league and backed up to play a full season with CSU this year.
He is making sure he will be back in Wagga in time to play the first game of 2014 with the Reddies.
The university club has lost the services of Pat Hunter who has moved to Sydney.
Ross says the Reddies are on the lookout for more big men to join their forward pack.
"We're always looking to recruit, we're chasing a couple of forwards at the minute," he said.
"Pat is a pretty big loss so hopefully we can find someone to replace him."