By LIZ MOORE

Despite finishing high school only last year, 18-year-old centre Lukas Ripley is already in the run-on side for Premier grade at Souths.

Souths coach Todd Dammers is wary of putting undue strain on the youngster, yet is tipping big things for Ripley saying he’s destined to be a “huge voice” for the club.

“He’s very good,” Dammers said. “It’ s a hard one cos I don’t want to put too much pressure on him, but I’ve seen some good kids at that age and he’s right up there.

“He’s a kid who’s destined for big things if he wants it, and he seems to. He’s got a great work ethic and a love for being involved. It’s not a grind for him.”

Dammers said what sets the Mackay-born Ripley apart, is his magnetism on and off the field.

“It’s a hard one to describe,” Dammers said. “He’s a lovely kid, but also people are drawn to him so I think he’s just got that personality. He plays that way, too, which is nice.

“He’s got that magnetism on the field. When he gets the ball, you think this is something that’s going to be good.”

The young all-round back with Samoan heritage seemed unaware of any fuss about him, playing for the love of the game.

Ripley played No.12 in the First IV at BBC last year, and it was the inside centre position through school that led him to choose rugby over rugby league, which he’d continued playing for club for several years while playing union at school.

“I like to be in near where the ball comes, and sort of be that next fly-half, in that area,” Ripley said.

“That’s the reason why I moved across to rugby union, because of enjoyment. I was enjoying it a lot more than rugby league.

Ripley is one of a swag of eight young men playing for Souths who originally hail from the Capricornia region of central Queensland. Ripley grew up in Mackay before moving to Brisbane with his family in 2015, and was introduced to rugby union through school at BBC.

Ripley said his youth had initially been daunting as he moved straight into Premier grade training at Souths late last year, but the Capricornia connections have helped him settle in with some of the older regional players taking him under their wings.

“At the start it was a bit difficult, being a young rookie coming into men’s rugby, but I’m very fortunate to have the likes of Theo Fourie and Liam Fletcher, who are Rocky boys, especially Theo, cos he really took me in and looked after me a bit.

“From there, I expanded out and got to meet other boys in the group.”

Ripley said it took him a little time to settle in on the field also, with the first three trial games earlier in the year reflecting his journey from feeling a little intimidated and nervous to starting to gel with his new teammates and his game.

“The first game was probably the worst one I played,” Ripley said. “Then the next two I got more comfortable with my teammates around me and the flow started to get easier.”

Like the rest of his teammates, Ripley’s had to wait months for more games, and the nerves have been replaced with sheer excitement.

“I’m very prepared at the moment, cos of all the training we’re doing,” Ripley said. “I have a lot of faith and belief in my team and all the players that Todd’s coached.

“I’m very excited about the season.”

IMAGE: BRENDAN HERTEL / QUEENSLAND RUGBY MEDIA UNIT