Patience pays off for Wallaby Frisby

Soon-to-be Wallaby Nick Frisby feels like he’s waited a lifetime for something that’s come in a flash.

Only last year the 23-year-old was in serious danger of getting splinters on the Queensland Reds bench, stuck for four long seasons behind Ballymore icon Will Genia, arguably the world’s best halfback in his heyday.

Now he’s not only a regular Super Rugby starter, but poised to make his Test debut in the series opener against England on Saturday night at Suncorp Stadium.

“It’s hard to believe really,” Frisby said.

“It took me a while to sink in last week i8that I was out there training with some of these guys I’ve watched play for years and looked up to.

“It’s been a really pleasing year for me, I’ve hit some good form. I’ll get stuck in again this week and see where it takes me.”

The only other halfback in Australia’s 33-man squad is Nick Phipps, meaning that at least in Michael Cheika’s eyes anyway, Frisby is now the second-best No.9 in Australian rugby.

That Frisby would eventually scale these heights has always felt inevitable – he was identified as a player of potential at a young age, and anointed as Genia’s eventual successor the moment he first signed for the Reds in 2012.

But only this year, after Genia’s departure to Top 14 club Stade Francais, has Frisby been given space to show his capabilities.

“I feel like I’ve been building towards this for a while,” Frisby said.

“I’ve had mixed opportunities throughout my career and I’ve always put my best foot forward, and then given the opportunity this year, it was a bit of a goal of mine to try and get the Reds jersey and then press some claims for an Australian jersey as well.

Stay up to date with the latest sports news
Follow our social accounts to get exclusive content and all the latest sporting news!