How a rising country cricket star made NSW Waratahs home

However, his first love was cricket, representing Country NSW as a gifted all-rounder.

Four years ago, at the height of COVID-19, he was given time to talk to Nathan Lyon on Zoom about the champion off-spinner’s journey from country NSW ovals to the Ashes.

“I was actually late – I was up chasing goats with my dogs and had to come back down and jump on the Zoom with him, but that was pretty surreal, it was pretty cool,” Harvey said.

“For a long time, I thought I was going to pursue cricket. Dad always said to me, ‘Just pursue cricket, mate, that’s your game’, because I was always pretty skinny. I loved playing footy, but I was never the biggest, fastest. I just found a way, I suppose.”

Three years after representing Country NSW at the under-17 national cricket championships, squaring off against NSW Metro captain Sam Konstas, Harvey’s decision to prioritise rugby has been rewarded handsomely.

In April, in front of 40,000 fans in Hong Kong, Harvey scored a last-minute match-winning try for Australia’s sevens team against Fiji to seal a bronze medal. He was then named in the team of tournament for Super Rugby Aus for the Waratahs after missing just two of his 19 shots at goal.

Now he wants to not only learn from Jorgensen and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, but to earn their respect as a regular teammate.

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“For me personally, just being able to learn off them, I kind of pinch myself most days,” Harvey said. “I’m like, what am I doing here? It’s a bit surreal, but I’m toeing the line between fanboying and trying to learn as much as I can, and also competing.

“I’m trying to beat these guys for a spot. I’m not trying to sit the whole time and just watch them and be in awe of them.

“I’m starting at a point now where it comes to selection time, and I’m competing for a spot. Obviously, I want to make my Super Rugby debut this year. Not only that, I want to find a consistent spot on the team and stay there and be a really important member of the Waratahs.”