Paila goes global

By Paul Pickering
NARRE Warren South teenager Nathan Paila is preparing to go global after being selected in the Australian Schoolboys rugby union side that will tour the United Kingdom next month.
The Hallam Senior College Year 12 student has been courted by several Super 14 clubs, but has chosen to put his professional ambitions on hold until after the tour.
New Zealand-born Paila, who clinched his spot on the touring party with an impressive showing against the Kiwi Under-18 side in Brisbane this month, learnt of his selection in the national side last week.
“I was stoked – I couldn’t believe it,” he reflected.
“I’ve never been to the UK before, so I can’t wait.”
Paila is among four Victorians picked in the Australian Schoolboys squad. That strong southern contingent is a reflection of the Victorian Schoolboys’ win in Division Two of the Australian Schools Championships in July.
He’s a prodigious talent at the number eight position; a hard-running ball-carrier who cut his teeth with the Endeavour Hills Rugby Union Club after arriving in Melbourne at the age of four.
And despite the interest from the Super 14 recruiters, he remains humble and focused on the immediate future.
“I’ve been approached by a few different clubs, but I just want to concentrate on the UK tour first and see where I want to go from there,” Paila said.
Still, he looks destined to follow in the footsteps of his cousin, Siliva Siliva, who played in the Australian Schoolboys team last year and is currently playing in Perth with the Western Force Academy.
Paila will leave for the UK on 23 November for seven Tests against under-18 sides from England, Wales and Ireland as well as an Ireland Schools side.