Albury Thunder's James Olds could feature for Wales at the 2021 Rugby League World Cup

Olds, back with Thunder after a year playing rugby union for Wagga City, is likely to be in contention for the Wales squad for the Rugby League World Cup in England which starts five months on Sunday.

But while representing his homeland would be a source of huge pride, the man who was awarded Australian citizenship earlier this year is focusing on the here and now.

"I've not really put my mind to it," the 30-year-old admitted. "I'm just taking it week by week and concentrating on Albury Thunder getting a win.

"That's how it's gone for me. If I don't concentrate on it (the World Cup), the better it is for me so that's the way I'll play it. If I do get in, it'll be amazing to go back and play the World Cup in England this year.

"We have a really tough group with Tonga, Cook Islands and PNG. It would be great to go back so it's just a matter of staying fit, playing well and hopefully getting selected."

Olds, who played soccer in Cardiff City's academy before branching off to play rugby union in his teenage years, quickly found success in Australia after signing for the Albury-Wodonga Steamers. But a reunion with his brother, Ollie, saw him take the plunge into rugby league which would lead to his international call-up.

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"I finished that season playing Queensland Cup for North Devils," Olds said. "I thought switching codes it was going to be easy but I totally underestimated it. I was too muscular and too unfit for league, going back 10 metres, all the wrestling and contact.

"But I really enjoyed it and haven't looked back. It's the number one sport in Queensland - you wouldn't know there's anything else going on up there."

On Saturday afternoon Thunder face Wagga Brothers, the only side below them in Group 9, with Olds realistic about their prospects over the next few months.

"We've been hit hard. We were looking pretty handy for 2020 but when COVID hit, we had a lot of boys finish up or go back home to England," he said.

"Everything happens for a reason and we're in a rebuild phase now. We've got a lot of young lads coming through, boys that have played juniors here and we're building a nice platform. Hopefully we'll kick on again next year.

"Adrian Purtell is great to have around the club, teaching little tricks to the young fellas, and having him on the pitch has been handy too.

"He's still got the knowledge of the game, to put himself in the right place at the right time. There's a lot of good boys around this club."

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