Former Kempsey resident Tyronne Roberts-Davis’ “dream came true” when he made his NRL debut for the Gold Coast Titans on the wing in their round two meeting with the Newcastle Knights.
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Roberts-Davis was fortunate to enjoy the experience alongside his uncle and teammate Tyrone Roberts.
“It was awesome, he (Tyrone) presented me with my jersey in the sheds and had a laugh with me and told me he would set me up for a try,” Roberts-Davis said.
Roberts’ prediction came true just before half time as he lofted a ball to his nephew who scored his first try in the top grade.
Roberts-Davis began playing rugby league at the age of 12 for the Kempsey Dragons but didn’t receive much recognition, only making the Group 2 representative side.
“The disappointment of not making the big representative sides pushed me to train and work harder. My mother has a great work ethic and she inspired me to keep at it,” Roberts-Davis said.
His hard work paid off and he signed with the Titans as a 17-year-old after heading to the Gold Coast at the completion of year 10 at St Paul’s College.
The Indigenous Australian went on to make his debut for the Titans U20s side and represent the Australian Schoolboys in 2015 against New Zealand.
The 19-year-old spoke of his excitement after hearing he would line up for the Titans.
“I found out early in the week, Neil Henry came up to me and told me I’d be playing on the wing. It immediately put a smile on my face,” he said.
“I called my mum, dad, sisters and brothers and told them.”
The Kempsey Dragons junior enjoyed the moment and took to the field with the same mindset.
“I thought I played pretty good, I wasn’t as nervous as I thought I would be. It was just another game of footy.”
Roberts-Davis now has three NRL games under his belt and has crossed the line for two tries.
In his most recent match, against the North Queensland Cowboys, he faced one of the best players of all time and one of his idols growing up – Johnathan Thurston.
“I was just in awe of Thurston, everything he did was silky smooth. I have never played against a player that good. He makes everything look so easy which is pretty incredible at that level," Roberts-Davis said.
It doesn’t get any easier for Roberts-Davis in his next NRL game as he travels to New Zealand to face the Warriors.
“I am always up for the challenge, growing up I learned the only way to be the best is to take on the best,” he said.
“I looked up to a lot of the stars of the game as a kid and it is pretty incredible to be playing alongside and against them.”
