Brackin Karauria-Henry is the latest in a long line of rugby league converts to play on the wing for the Waratahs, but the former Cronulla Shark has taken a longer road to his Super Rugby dream.

The talented 23-year-old grew up in Christchurch playing both codes and says while he still doesn’t have a preference, he’s desperate to make his name in the 15-man game this season.

Throughout the 2000s, NRL stars Wendell Sailor, Lote Tuqiri, Mat Rogers and Nathan Blacklock featured on the flanks for the Waratahs, while just last year former Sydney Rooster Ryan Cross had a brief stint in the NSW backs.

But unlike his predecessors, Karauria-Henry’s league career never got off the ground and he didn’t have a reputation that preceded him when he arrived at Moore Park.

Since moving from New Zealand as a 16-year-old to join Cronulla’s junior ranks, it’s been a tough slog for Karauria-Henry away from home.

He felt things had reached a dead end at the Sharks and moved to the Brumbies for the 2010 season, managing just three games, before his move to NSW last year was thwarted by a back injury which required mid-season surgery.

But finally Karauria-Henry has been presented with his best chance at a breakout year.

Lachie Turner is out for the season and fellow wingers Drew Mitchell and Atieli Pakalani are in doubt for Saturday night’s round one blockbuster against Queensland, giving him and 20-year-old Tom Kingston an opportunity to secure a starting jersey on the flanks.

In the last season of a two-year deal with the Waratahs and with his fiancee Ashley expecting their first child in three months, it’s a big year for Karauria-Henry, and the fullback-cum-winger has given himself every chance of cashing in after an impressive pre-season under Michael Foley.

“It’s definitely good to be injury free and be involved in training full-time, so I’m definitely comfortable at the Waratahs,” said Karauria-Henry, who possesses handy ball-playing ability, a strong left-foot step, solid frame and speed to burn.

“(My goal) is to get into that 22 and hopefully start and just get an opportunity.

“I’ve played both (league and union) since I was five so I definitely have a passion for both and I don’t like one more than the other.

“Things got a bit stale in rugby league at that time so I thought it would be the right time to switch over to rugby and it’s definitely been a good move for me.”