KNIGHTS rugby union recruit Mark Wade had plenty of study buddies with him while he brushed up on his rugby league skills at summer school for the past three months.
The 22-year-old former Merewether-Carlton second-rower will play his first game of league since his teenage years in Dubbo when he comes off the bench against the Newcastle Rugby League representative squad in a trial at Tomaree tomorrow night.
Wade is part of the 19-man squad that will play the first two quarters.
He was awarded the Anderson Medal as the Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union’s best and fairest player as recognition for his role in helping the Greens complete an unbeaten premiership-winning season last year.
Keen to pursue a career in the National Rugby League, he rejected the advances of Manly and Canberra and signed a one-year second-tier contract with the Knights.
Wade did not have to endure the re-education process alone because coach Wayne Bennett and his staff spent much of the off-season teaching the squad fundamental league skills.
‘‘It’s flown by real quick. We started in November ... and now we’re about to start the season, but I’ve really enjoyed it and learnt heaps and picked up a lot of new skills,’’ he said.
‘‘It’s a different skill set that you need. I suppose the basics are still there, but all the little things that are different between league and union I needed to refresh, but I’m pretty confident that we’ve done all that and covered everything.
‘‘It was good because with all the new coaching staff, they took the whole squad back to basics.’’
Having shed about four kilograms from his 193-centimetre frame, Wade is preparing to spend time in the second row and the centres tomorrow and in subsequent trials.
‘‘I’ve lost a bit, so I’m down between 102 and 103 ... so I’m comfortable with that,’’ he said.
‘‘I’ve gained a bit of strength through all the gym sessions, and those few kilos that I’ve lost have helped me get around a bit more, especially with all the running that’s required in league.’’
He said all the players had made him feel welcome with various tips, and he was heeding Bennett’s wisdom.
‘‘It’s quite a big group, but when he can he pulls you aside and gives you some advice,’’ he said.
‘‘I think the main thing I’ve learnt from Wayne is to keep executing, no matter how tired you are, and to make sure you’re always adequate, if not above, and never do less than what you need to do.’’
Wade said he was prepared to be patient as he navigates his first year of senior rugby league.
‘‘It will be good to finally get out and have some game time and try to put into practice all the skills that I’ve picked up over the last couple of months,’’ he said.
‘‘I don’t really see it as a do-or-die thing this year but I’ll still play my best footy. You’ve got to have a chance if you want to get a crack at the NRL, so I’m happy to bide my time until I get that chance, and I’ll just keep learning and playing good footy.’’
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