Albury Thunder’s latest recruit is looking to use next year as a launching pad to an NRL career.
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Sabastian Rapana played lower grades with NRL club Penrith, before returning home to New Zealand.
“When I came back from Australia, back here to Hamilton, I feel there’s not that many opportunities here,” he said.
“Just being so young, missing family and missing home (was a factor why I left) but coming back made me realise that maybe there was nothing to come back home for (in terms of playing top-level league).”
The 20-year-old, a cousin of New Zealand and Canberra winger Jordan Rapana, spent last season playing rugby union.
“Obviously I want to get my foot back in the door (for the NRL) and work my way back up,” he said.
The pacy centre could well play outside coach Adrian Purtell, who spent his time at five-eighth.
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