With the 2016 Olympics less then 10 months away, Boyd Killingworth’s ‘Road to Rio’ begins this weekend.

Named in the Australian Sevens program’s invitational side, the Aussie Thunderbolts, Killingworth is looking to play his way into the 2016 full time squad at this weekend’s Central Coast Sevens tournament.

But whilst the Warringah and North Harbour Rays backrower admitted that a plane ticket to Rio was the ultimate goal, he’s not looking that far ahead.

“Before that I need to secure a contract, so that’s the immediate goal. I’m trying not to look past that. If I can play well this weekend on the Central Coast then I could be in with a shot,” Killingworth told Rugby News.

“I’ve been training with the squad two days a week and it’s a really good set up. They train together, they socialise together, they eat together.

“I haven’t been in that professional environment for a few years and I’ve missed it so hopefully I can get back into it.”

The former Australian Schoolboy and National Academy member has already established himself as one of the Intrust Super Shute Shield’s best young backrowers, however he said he felt he was more suited to the seven a side game at the moment.

“I prefer Sevens because it’s shorter and more explosive and I get to touch the ball a lot more than I do in 15-a-side rugby. You’ve got a specific role in Sevens, which means you really need to focus on a few key skills,” the 23-year old said.

“Defence is really important, particularly in my position, it’s probably the most important aspect. You also need all the core skills, my passing is something I’ve worked on and that’s really improved since I’ve been with the Sevens.”

Whilst he admitted those skills all transferred across to 15-a-side rugby, Killingworth was unable to do so, missing most of the Shute Shield season with a shoulder injury.

“It was frustrating because all I could really do was rest, I was out of the gym for most of that time, even when I was back playing.”

The backrower returned for Warringah just before the finals, then linked with the North Harbour Rays for the NRC, with both sides failing to live up to expectations.

“I was disappointed with how the Rats season finished, I thought we were on track for a top four finish, but we ended up fifth and played Eastwood in that first week and lost.

“Then with the Rays, I don’t think our position on the ladder reflected how we played as a team. Against Brisbane we were down with 15 minutes to go, we were beating the Vikings with 20 to go and we beat Perth.

Despite his heavy workload in 2015, Killingworth said he was anything but ‘burnt out’ and eager to get back on the paddock on the Central Coast this weekend, just a week after finishing his NRC season with the Rays.

“I’m still feeling really good, I missed half the Shute Shield season with injury and then this opportunity has popped up so I’m really looking forward to it and hopefully I can make the most of it.”

“I’m not as fit as I was at the start of the year when I was training with the guys. When I went back to Warringah, I was focussed on putting weight back on after my injury, so my fitness isn’t bad, but there is still a bit to do.”

The Australian side is using the tournament to prepare for next month’s Olympic Qualification tournament with a host of big names joined by former Waratah Pat McCutcheon and 18-year old Randwick speedster Henry Hutchinson in the 12-man squad.

“The Thunderbolts squad we’ve chosen for the tournament provides us with good squad balance and a nice blend of youth and experience,” interim head coach Tim Walsh said.

“Everything we do as a group at the moment is ensuring we are in the best possible shape come the Olympic Qualifier next month and the Central Coast Sevens is another important step on that process.”

Aussie Thunderbolts squad for Central Coast Sevens

Tom Cusack, Allan Fa’alava’au, Foley, Henry Hutchison, Greg Jeloudev, Boyd Killingworth, Pat McCutcheon, Sam Myers, Peter Schuster, James Stannard, Shannon Walker, Michael Wells.