Setting a new Queensland Reds try-scoring record for a Super rugby season has been a priceless experience for flyer Dom Shipperley.
But that won’t stop him hitting up his old man for some serious cash if his scoring exploits continue in the finals.
Shipperley sealed the bonus point Queensland desperately needed to sneak into the finals with season try No.8 in the Reds’ remarkable 32-16 last round win over NSW Waratahs.
Reds fans rejoiced ahead of Saturday night’s knockout final against the Sharks – except maybe for Shipperley’s dad.
Shipperley now has two more tries than any other Reds player has racked up in a season in Super rugby’s 16-year history.
And he also edged closer to what seemed to be a much more important achievement – winning a potentially lucrative wager with his father.
“I might weasel some money out of dad if I get to 10,” Shipperley laughed.
If the former junior hurdles champion clears the mark, he reckons he will hit his father up for $100 a try.
That’s a big step up from his going rate in schoolboy rugby.
“When I played at school he said ‘I will give you $10 a try’ – it worked out pretty well,” Shipperley smiled.
“(But I think) he’s learnt his lesson. I have done it a fair few times to him. I probably won’t get anything out of him.”
Shipperley’s father would have thought he had a safe bet at the start of the season.
Even Reds coach Ewen McKenzie admitted he would not have thought the strapping speedster would have been so dominant this season.
“He was probably the least well known in our team at the start of the season,” he said.
“To be a regular starter and play every minute I wouldn’t have believed that to be honest at the start of the season – it is just a testament to his application.”
Shipperley said he had benefited from watching teammate Digby Ioane, who he rated the “world’s premier winger”.
However, repeating Ioane’s heroics is easier said than done.
“It’s pretty hard to get into the positions that he does. It’s pretty impressive how he gets the ball and what he does with it,” Shipperley said.
