Concussion ruined Ryan Lonergan's dreams of playing at the under-20s World Cup, but the ACT Brumbies scrumhalf is hoping a family double-delight Saturday eases the pain of missing the tournament.
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Lonergan will make his Tuggeranong Vikings first grade debut at ANU just hours after younger brother Lachlan plays in the national schoolboys grand final as the ACT chases its first title since 1988.
Playing for the Vikings will be the next step in Lonergan's career after he was plucked out of school and signed to the Brumbies' extended squad at the end of last year.
The talented 19-year-old set his sights on rising through the ranks and winning a spot in the Australian under-20s side this year, but was knocked out in a trial match and missed a month of rugby, including the World Cup.
He has spent most of the Canberra club rugby season in the Colts competition, but will be thrown into first grade to play against the Uni-Norths Owls.
"I'm really excited. I've done a few training sessions and I know a lot of them because I've grown up at the Vikings," Lonergan said.
"I've always watched first grade and looked up to them, so I'm excited to get stuck in for my first game.
"My original goal for this year was the Australian under-20s but that didn't happen because of injuries. So the next goal I set for myself was to play first grade and now I get that chance."
Brumbies players will flood capital's premier rugby division this weekend, with Lonergan to be joined by Ben Hyne and Jordan Jackson-Hope in the Vikings side.
Faalelei Sione, Tom Staniforth, Tom Cusack and Andrew Muirhead will play for ladder-leaders Royals while Nick Jooste will play for Wests and James Dargaville will be Gungahlin's inside centre.
Lonergan will have extra motivation with brother Lachlan to lead the ACT's charge at the schoolboy championships in Sydney.
The ACT juniors are in the final for the first time in 29 years and can cause a major upset if they beat Queensland II at Riverview.
"I'm really proud of those boys up there, they've been doing an unbelievable job," Lonergan said.
"I've been watching them on the live stream and they've been having a real dig. They've been playing some exceptional footy so I hope they go well in the final.
"I thought about trying to get up there during the week but I couldn't, so I'll keep tabs on the final."
The Vikings will be determined to bounce back after losing to Royals last weekend with just four weeks left in the regular season.
Royals sit comfortably at the top of the table after winning all 10 games so far this season while Wests, Gungahlin and Queanbeyan are fighting for the last two spots in the play-offs.
Wests play Gungahlin with just one point separating the teams, but Queanbeyan are lurking in fifth spot just one more point adrift.
JOHN I DENT CUP ROUND 14
Saturday: Queanbeyan Whites v Royals at Campese Field, 3.05pm; Uni-Norths Owls v Tuggeranong Vikings at ANU North, 3.05pm; Wests v Gungahlin Eagles at Jamison Enclosed, 3.15pm. Easts - bye.
