UQ Centre – Josh Birch – has found a new lease on his sporting life after switching from rugby league to rugby union. Michael Atkinson reports.

In the eternal battle of league versus union, it feels like the latter is always one step behind when it comes to holding on to talented young players.

With more money and a longer history of professionalism, rugby league is a major threat to the 15-man code retaining talented juniors coming through club and school systems.

However, in Josh Birch, rugby has struck a major blow by luring him back to ‘the game they play in heaven’.

“I started playing rugby when I went to (Brisbane) Grammar in year 11,” Birch said.

“Before that it was all rugby league.”

Recruited to the prestigious Brisbane Boys Grammar as a talented rugby league player from Bundaberg, Birch got his first taste of rugby and, in 2012, helped deliver BGS its first GPS title in 20 years.

But even then, Birch still harboured dreams of forging a career in rugby league, and after being cut loose by the Broncos despite being contracted to the glamour club at the age of 14, went in search of opportunities elsewhere.

“I probably enjoyed union more, because it was fun, but I saw a future in rugby league because there were stepping stones (to a career),” revealed Birch.

“Graham Murray, who used to coach NSW (Blues), worked for the Knights and he picked me up after watching a game I played for Norths Devils against Ipswich.”

And so, Birch moved to the working-class city of Newcastle hoping to crack the big time and earn a NRL contract.

“I was in the under 18’s first, then had three straight years in the twenties (NRL National Youth Competition),” Birch said.

“I loved living in Newcastle, but I got to a point in 2014, at the end, where I couldn’t see myself living there for too much longer and couldn’t see a future.”

Despite the Knights’ investment in the talented junior for four years, they were happy to let him go, even when he made a selfless offer to the club.

“I didn’t want a contract. I just wanted the preseason with the NRL squad to prove myself,” Birch revealed.

“But they wouldn’t let me do that, so I decided to pack my bags and leave.”

Birch linked up with good school mate, and UQ back-rower, Jack Cornelsen, in 2016, to revive his rugby career at St. Lucia.

Rugby league’s loss is rugby’s gain, as the lightning fast outside-centre is now carving up opposition defences in the unbeaten University side.

Birch puts his good form down to a change in perspective.

“I just wanted to play and have fun. I would love to have a future in footy but I never saw a future in rugby. I decided I need to build a future outside of footy so I focused on getting a degree,” said Birch.

“Last year I was really focused on studying – head in the books. Now, rugby and uni are probably on par, but I’m think playing better than I ever have.”

Strangely, coming from a fully professional environment at Newcastle to a largely amateur system at Uni has also benefitted the Bundaberg product.

“At first, I was pretty taken aback; I rocked up at training and everyone was wearing different shirts, which was weird for me,” Birch mused.

“I asked if we had scheduled gym sessions, but we don’t. It’s just training on Tuesday and Thursday nights.”

“But I think that has taught me a lot over the last year. It has helped me a lot. I’ve learnt to train myself and have more accountability.”

Birch has learned the value in taking responsibility for his own development not relying on experts or a schedule to tell him how and when to get better.

“I think I am in the best shape of my life now, even compared to when I was training full time in Newcastle, because I get to do everything myself,” said Birch.

It’s easy to see the results on the field as well. Birch has been on fire for the Students in maintaining their unbeaten run in the opening nine rounds of the season.

This weekend he will face a stern test of his ability as he comes up against Norths centre, Tyrone Lefau, who has represented Queensland Country in the last two NRC seasons.

You can catch Birch and Lefau going head-to-head at St. Lucia on Saturday at 3.20pm.