THE success of Shoalhaven Rugby Club isn't just limited to the Illawarra fields in 2021, with two of their top talents recently representing the navy.
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Michael Dun and Tom Hill have both just returned from their week-long camp with the navy rugby side, which saw them play matches against both the air force and army.
"It's an honour to represent the navy in sport, especially in rugby as it is renowned for the history and culture that surrounds it," Dun said.
"Anyone you speak to will say it's the highlight of their career in defence and I can definitely back that up."
This marked just the second time Dun has pulled on the navy jersey, with his last being back in 2018.
"I played one game previously for navy against the Manly Marlins at Brookvale Oval, as the opener for the Invictus Games," he said.
"We were a throw-together team of new and aspiring players.
"We were beaten quite convincingly but it was a foot in the door to RANRU [Royal Australian Navy Rugby Union] for me, as I met other players and the coaches."
After staying in contact with those coaches, the 26-year-old got the call-up to this year's 29-man squad - which also featured Conor Trudgen and had former Shoal Matt Lane as an assistant coach.
"In the lead up to the matches, the camp was a great way to get to know everyone," the leading seaman said.
"Our accommodation saw 29 of us players in bunk beds crammed into a room.
"With a lot of young new faces from all over Australia, it saw the squads average age at 22.
"With that being said, we had only five players who had played nationals before in our team, solidifying just how young and fresh the squad was.
"We trained twice a day, in preparation for the first match, and from these sessions, coach Jules Tadulala picked his 23-man squad to take on the air force and army."
Thankfully for the Cambewarra resident, he was named firstly in the navy's squad that downed the air force 51-10 but also for their showdown with the army.
"The last RANRU squad defeated the army, so this was our chance to go back-to-back," Dun said.
"Our captain Lockie Taylor and vice-captain Scott Hogan (two of the five players who have had the experience of playing against the army before) described it as the most passionate and challenging match you will ever play, as the army is relentless on the field.
"Scott pumped us up in the sheds and you could tell the lads were ready for some tough footy.
"The first 20 minutes, we felt the full force of the army side, as we were down 20-nil.
"We all adjusted as a team in defence to how the army played and did not give up."
On the back of some solid set pieces and well-executed attack, the navy finished the half stronger, to go into the break down 31-14.
"In the second half, we started strong and with more patience in attack, we went over the line to close the gap," he said.
We were down 34-21 with 10 minutes left but a last-minute try by the army shattered our hopes of a comeback, as we lost 41-21."
Despite the loss, Dun and his side took plenty from the fixture.
"We have set the foundations of a new look RANRU team," he said.
"We all now have experience of what it's like taking on the army and will be better prepared for them next year.
"We look forward to taking them on again with a different result."
While admitting he was happy with his performance, after taking on board plenty of new skills during the camp, the biggest aspect the back-rower took from the experience was the chance to play alongside his close mate Hill.
"It's always a pleasure to play with Crackers [Tom Hill]," he said.
"He's one of my best mates and that's what this sports all about.
"The mateship you find in rugby, whether in the same team or opponents - you always have a beer together after the game."
Upon their return, the pair's main focus is now helping Shoals win their second-ever first grade premiership.
"Playing at a higher level of rugby like the navy, and also being around very talented players, allows you to learn from the best," Dun said.
"If I can bring those extra one per cent to the team environment, I can make a difference to the whole.
"We have always had an extremely talented backline, with our captain Steve Brandon leading the way.
"But this year it's our dominant forward pack that's laying the platform of success.
"We have key mentors in the pack such as prop Will Ridley and the Miller brothers, teaching us solid technique and structures.
"As our coach Paul Connor says "it's all there for you if you want it".
"That's the key this year - we have to want it the whole season and stay hungry and composed."
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