AFTER two seasons with the NSW Waratahs, Berry's Will Miller has penned a two-year deal to switch to the ACT Brumbies.
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During his time with Daryl Gibson's Tahs, Miller secured 29 caps, building on his five from the Melbourne Rebels.
But unfortunately, after a breakout 2018 season - which saw him nominated for the Rugby Union Players' Association's Newcomer of the Year award, the Shoalhaven Rugby Club product was restricted to a handful of caps this season - including just two starts.
"This year wasn't as good as 2018 and was quite frustrating at times," Miller said.
"I unfortunately didn't get as many starts as I would have liked and as a team, we probably under-performed compared to our expectations."
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In saying that, Miller, 26, admits his time with the Waratahs made into a better player.
"No doubt I'm a better player right now than I was when I first joined the Tahs," he said.
"Just by training every day and having constant repetition on core skills and different parts of the game, helped me develop into a better and smarter player.
"Previous to this, I didn't really have the opportunity to train like this - as the level is vastly different to the Shute Shield."
Despite all this, during his three-week injury layoff during the season, Miller was approached by the ACT Brumbies about the next step in his career.
"I honestly didn't think I was going to leave the Waratahs until I first got approached by the Brumbies," he said.
"Following their approach, I discussed with both clubs what was best for my career.
"When I found out David Pocock was leaving, the decision became a no-brainer for me.
"I'll now have an opportunity to compete for a starting spot, against the guys they already have down there - something I would have never got at the Tahs with Michael Hooper there.
"The Brumbies had a really strong year this season and I'm excited to join their young core and build on their success for years to come."
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Another aspect that influenced Miller's decision was his chats with Brumbies coach Dan McKellar.
"Before I put pen to paper, I had a couple of chats with Dan [McKellar] about how he liked his number seven to play," Miller said.
"He explained how his preferred style has numerous aspects that relate to my game.
"It was reassuring to know the coach likes the way I play and has an idea of how to best use my strengths to benefit the team - instead of just the general manager wanting me at the club."
Miller and his Brumbies team mates, including Irae Simone and Matt Lucas who he's played with before, are expected to return to training ahead of the 2020 Super Rugby season in early December.
Before then, the Scots College alumni will be out to help Northern Suburb's assault on the Shute Shield.
"We're sitting in third at the moment, with only three points separating the top four sides," Miller said.
"It's a really close competition, with another four teams not far off the pace and pushing for finals spots too.
"Hopefully we can continue to build over the next couple of weeks and go into the finals with a wet sail."
This season with Norths marked a special milestone for Miller, who played his 100th game for the club recently against Warringah.
"The 100-game milestone wasn't something I chased but it was a really good day, capped off by a strong win (25-10)," he said.
"Norths have done a lot for me overs the years and helped turn me into the player I am today - it's great to be able to give something back."
Miller hopes this is the first of a number of accomplishments he achieves with Norths in 2019.
"We have a similar core to the squad that won the premiership in 2016, so there's no reason we can't go all the way again," he said.
"On top of that core, we have a couple of new guys that put their own signature of the side, which give the side a different feel to the side three years ago.
"There's a real buzz around the club and I can't wait to see what the rest of the season holds."
Following the completion of the Shute Shield season, Miller will play in the National Rugby Championship to prepare himself for the pre-season with the Brumbies.