Will Goddard hoped going to the park to kick a ball would help his ACT Brumbies dream, the last thing he expected was to finish the session training alongside one of the club's greatest players.
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This is a good news Australian rugby story. The tale of an ACT schoolboys champion randomly meeting his idol, Matt Giteau, and then training with him in a symbolic changing of the guard at the Brumbies academy program.
Giteau was training by himself at Griffith Oval to stay fit for his Japan Top League season with Suntory when he spotted Goddard, the Queanbeyan Whites flyhalf, doing the same thing at the other end of the field.
"I think it was a Thursday morning and I had some time off work. There were some guys at the other end of the field and when they got closer, I noticed the face straight away," Goddard said.
"At the end of the session, he walked over to say hello and give me some tips. It turned into a 30-minute session.
"Then he asked if I wanted to do the odd session with him. How surreal. Who wouldn't want that? I'm very lucky.
"It was out of the blue and he made the decision to come over. I was definitely a bit star struck ... I still remember playing in the Matt Giteau Cup when I was 10 and watching him on TV. I'm still pinching myself."
Goddard is one of 11 emerging Canberra players in the reformation of the Brumbies academy, which has been reintroduced to help junior stars become Super Rugby players.
Goddard and a host of players from the ACT schoolboys side, which won the national championship for the first time in 29 years last year, are part of the initial intake.
A group of players have also been picked for the Australian under-20s team, including Tom Ross and Len Ikitau. Players range from 17 years old to 21 years old and have their own training program to follow.
Giteau was in the same position 20 years ago, training with the Brumbies juniors before getting his professional chance and playing 103 Tests for Australia and 104 Super Rugby games.
But the Brumbies academy folded when Rugby Australia funding dried up and there was minimal focus on development. But the Brumbies have invested in reigniting the program to find the next Giteau.
Goddard could be that man. The former Canberra Grammar student was on the Waikato Chiefs' radar at the end of last year, but opted to stay in the capital when the Brumbies academy was formed.
Now the part-time labourer spends his days juggling work putting in pools around Canberra, training and playing for Queanbeyan in his debut John I Dent Cup season.
"I reckon every Super Rugby club should have an academy," Goddard said.
"I'm loving playing first grade at Queanbeyan this year. It's quite a step up, but having trained with the academy over the last couple of months, it puts you in pretty good shape. It's a great stepping stone.
Brumbies academy coach Daniel Hooper added: I think it is important for that next step. We've probably been missing that middle tier for a little while.
"It's definitely something we need, and something we want to hone and refine over time."
Goddard will return to the Whites' first-grade side for their clash against the Gungahlin Eagles at Nicholls Oval on Saturday.
JOHN I DENT CUP ROUND EIGHT
Saturday: Gungahlin Eagles v Queanbeyan Whites at Nicholls Enclosed, 3.05pm; Tuggeranong Vikings v Royals at Viking Park, 3.25pm. Wests, Uni-Norths Owls and Easts have a bye.
