The Riverina continues to produce top quality rugby sevens talent with Dylan Pietsch set to make his senior Australian debut.
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The 18-year-old from Leeton is one of two debutants named to take on the world’s best in the World Series leg at Wellington this weekend.
Pietsch was playing for the Australian Development Team in Darwin on Sunday when received the call up.
He can’t wait for his moment on the world stage.
“I’m over the moon,” Pietsch said.
“I didn’t expect it all.
“It definitely wasn’t on the radar and I couldn’t stop smiling.
“I’m still smiling at the moment.”
Pietsch has excelled in both sevens and the traditional 15-man game as a schoolboy and is looking to have a strong influence in the open ranks.
“It is a very talented team here and wherever I can fit in I’ll do my part,” he said.
Coach Andy Friend said Pietsch stood out in Darwin and deserved a chance to represent his country.
“Dylan’s quite a big bloke for an 18-year old, he’s got a good step on him and a good carry of the football,” Friend said.
“Momentum is his friend, he’s a powerful boy.”
Friend has made five changes to the squad that finished 11th in Cape Town last month.
Australia has drawn to face South Africa, Japan and Olympic gold medalists Fiji in Pool B with all games will be televised on Fox Sports this Saturday.
Pietsch expects to have plenty of family and friends watching on.