WAGGA product Dylan McLachlan is determined not to let an untimely hamstring injury hamper his quest to secure a national rugby sevens contract after a strong start with the Australian Indigenous team.
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McLachlan captained the First Nations Sevens to an impressive third place finish in the squad's debut at the Western Sydney Sevens early this month.
The 22-year-old, a standout for Wagga Brothers in rugby league's Group Nine this year, will miss this weekend's Darwin leg with injury but is hopeful of returning in a fortnight.
"We were confident, but being our first tournament against other teams who've been together a while and touring internationally it was pretty good," McLachlan said.
"We knocked off all the main Schute Shield (Sydney club competition) teams we came up against, that was something not many expected us to do."
The playmaker's penchant for playing off-the-cuff and willingness to take risks in attack has impressed the right people in rugby sevens circles.
"That's what it's all about. Take an opportunity when it presents itself, back yourself and have fun," McLachlan said.
The Indigenous side will travel alongside the Australian team on the world circuit. Brisbane is the team's next destination after Darwin before a trip to Dubai.
McLachlan said whether he is successful in attaining a national sevens contract will determine whether he returns to Group Nine after he finished second in the Weissel Medal count this year.
"It's still up in the air at the moment," he said.
"The sevens is going pretty well and I won't know about contracts until late February or early March.
"If that goes according to plan I won't be in Wagga, but if not I'll still be playing league here as well as doing sevens throughout the year.
"I copped a hamstring injury on the weekend playing in Sydney, but hopefully I'll be back within two weeks and go for that contract."
McLachlan said the introduction of the First Nations team this year was vital in helping open up doors for talented Indigenous men's and women's players who struggle to get identified in remote communities.
"It's massive. We've got kids in our side that come from Thursday Island or from Aussie Rules backgrounds," he said.
"The wouldn't even get a look-in if not for this program."
McLachlan said it was a privilege to be given the responsibility of captaining the squad in their debut campaign.
"It's a pretty big honour, especially being the first Indigenous team," he said.
"Fitness wise it's a massive step up from league and playing a higher level, it's the biggest thing I'm working on."
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