Leeds star Moon still proud of Australian Schoolboys experience

Leeds centre Joel Moon was present when the Australian Schoolboys beat the Rhinos academy team 38-28 this week at Headingley.

Moon is a former Aussie Schoolboy international himself, who played at home against the Junior Kiwis in 2005, in a series which was drawn 1-1.

The 26-year-old still rates that experience as one of the best of his career.

“Playing for the Australian Schoolboys is still one of the highlights of my career,” said Moon.

“It was an awesome experience playing alongside those blokes. To play for the Australian Schoolboys is one of the goals you set yourself as a young fella but the competition is so strong that you never really think you’ll be selected to play.

“Watching them play at Headingley Carnegie brought it all back to me. That team is your last step from school to when you sign professionally and it really sets you up for your career.

“All but two of the team I played in had made their NRL debut within a year, so it shows the quality within the team.”

Moon also rates the current crop of Aussie Schoolboys highly, particularly the physical presence that they possess.

“I was very impressed by the current side and really enjoyed watching the game,” he said.

“There were some big lads in the team but we had some big boppas in our team too so it’s something that comes with that team.”

England Academy take on the Australian Schoolboys on Saturday 6 December at Leigh Sports Village (2.00pm). This is a pay on the door event – £5 for adults and £3 for concessions