FOUR hundred push-ups and a pre-dawn wake-up call - it's not everyone's idea of a good weekend but it is something Ronan Hunt-Cameron was happy to embrace.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
It's because it helped prepare him for his under 16s Western Rams debut.
"Oh man those non-stop push-ups, we did like 400 push-ups over that weekend camp, it was bloody insane," he said.
"But it was really good, they put us through the works. It was actually fun. I was very excited and keen to get into it, that's for sure."
Having survived that training camp and the selection process, the Bathurst Panthers talent has been given the job as fullback in the Rams' Andrew Johns Cup campaign this season.
While he has previously represented Group 10 and trialled for the Cronulla Sharks at the start of 2020 - Hunt-Cameron saying: "I've been around the blocks" - this season is the first time he's been given the opportunity to wear the coveted green and white jersey.
His debut was not a winning one as the Rams suffered a 26-4 loss to Illawarra South Coast Dragons last Sunday at Cowra.
But Hunt-Cameron and his team-mates have reviewed that match and are intent not only on rectifying the mistakes made in that opener, but going on to try and win the Andrew Johns Cup.
It means they must beat Riverina at Leeton this Sunday.
"It was tough, we went in there with great expectations but we just made too many errors," Hunt-Cameron admitted.
"But we've looked at the video, analysed it and everything, so we know where we have to do better. We'll get up there, stick to the plan, trust the process.
"The 18s [Rams] want to win but so do we, we feed of them, the boys all feed off each other which is good."
Riverina suffered an 18-6 loss to the Monaro Colts in their cup opener last weekend, but having played the Bulls in a trial in early January, Hunt-Cameron knows they are a formidable rival.
He also knows as fullback he'll have plenty of traffic headed his way.
"We played them in at trial at Forbes. We won, but only just, there was only one try so it was like 4-0," he said.
"There's a lot of pressure at fullback actually, but I just take it as it comes, it's alright.
"We've got some big boys on the team that's for sure, so you've just got to hold your own with them."
While Hunt-Cameron retains his spot at fullback and St Pat's Alex Davies will once more start on the wing, coach Tony Woolnough has made some changes.
Fletcher Hunt has been shuffled from five-eighth to hooker to replace Chase Cubby, with Jaiden Powyer to wear the number six.
Hunt-Cameron said he has already "learned heaps" and hopes to continue that process as the Rams' campaign unfolds.
He'll then bring that back to his club football duties with the Panthers' 16s while Hunt-Cameron will continue his development as a referee as well in 2021.
Sunday's match, to be played in Leeton, will kick off at 10am.
