HARD running back- rower Ash Lefevre has been selected in the Southern Districts side for the second year in a row.
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But the Steamer powerhouse will have company when the team travels to the South Coast for the June long weekend carnival with fellow forward Tom Boyle and English import Arran MacDougall also in the rep squad.
Lefevre, 23, said it was all part of a steep learning curve for the relatively inexperienced rugby player.
He played “a bit of” league and AFL as a teenager but found his niche when he switched to rugby as an 18-year-old.
“The rep footy helps fast-track your rugby,” Lefevre said.
“It’s a different experience, particularly when I’ve really only been playing for four years.
“Last year was great too, I learned a lot from that season, playing with those guys — I try to play smarter every time I go out there, at least that’s the plan.”
Lefevre fell into the forwards but wouldn’t play anywhere else.
“I always wanted to play at No. 8 but with (Nathan) Bright there, a very good No. 8, I’ve fallen into the second row.
“I love the forwards, I couldn’t play in the backs, the forwards are where the game is — those guys out wide call us piggies but they can’t do without us.”
An injury-ravaged Steamers travel to Leeton today for a clash with the winless Phantoms.
Missing from the squad will be Tom Wilmore and Gareth Edwards, both injured in the win against Ag College last week, while fellow SIRU rep player Boyle and winger Adam Clements will also miss.
Lefevre, a key part of last year’s undefeated premiers, said that every game is a contest this winter.
“You can’t afford to have an off day against anyone — it is a pretty even competition all round,” he said.
“We have been guilty of making mistakes and that tends to flow into the rest of your game, we have found ourselves in a bit of a rut in a couple of games.
“But I have no doubt we have the potential to step it up and make up for those losses.
“We’ll be in the thick of the final’s action.
“For me I play every game as it comes, just go out there and do my best, play a part.”