ALL Saints’ College Year 9 student Carl Hansen has one clear goal – be the best rugby union player he can be.
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Hansen – from Hampton, near Lithgow – was recently named in the under 15s NSW Country rugby union team and he has grand plans for even more success in the future.
The 15-year-old said it felt “pretty fantastic” to be named in the 25 man squad however he saw his selection as just another step on his rugby journey.
"I have a hunger to be the best and I want to train to just make it to the top," he said.
Hansen will play several games with Country over the next three months including a tour of the ACT, a city-country match and other games in regional centres.
He currently plays his rugby for his school All Saints’ College Bathurst and the Central West representative side. The year 9 student plays in the All Saints’ under 15s side but he also cracked the first XV earlier this year.
His bucket list includes all the things to help him be the best.
"Training, fitness, anything I can to improve me as a person and as a player," Hansen said.
Carl Hansen is more than just a great rugby player, he is also an absolute character. Watch his hilarious training video below.
Aside from his training with Central West and Country, Hansen spends plenty of hours at home improving his game.
Hansen plays anywhere in the scrum but his favourite position is lock.
He describes himself as an aggressive and physical player who likes to throw his 108kg frame around on the field.
"Fast-paced, intense, a bit of a nuisance... very competitive," he said.
After playing soccer for the Lithgow Thistles for five years, Hansen wanted to try something different.
So at the age of 10 he signed up to play with the Bathurst junior Bulldogs and headed off to play his first game of rugby union at a gala day in Canowindra.
Hansen scored seven tries that day and also managed to find his way into the Sydney Morning Herald's Fitz Files, a column written by former Wallaby Peter FitzSimons.
His father Tim Hansen looked back on the gala day fondly.
"There was a breakdown at halfway and Carl got out of it with the ball and just took off and he ran to score a try but he was running the wrong way," said Mr Hansen.
"He was about to put the ball down and all the parents were pointing the other way so he actually did a length-and-a-half of the field try. That’s how he got into the Fitz Files."
