Nick Frost's journey from suburban Sydney to the Canberra Vikings will come full circle when he makes his starting debut in the National Rugby Championship against his hometown.
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The 19-year-old will face former teammates and school friends when starts at lock for the Vikings round-six clash with Sydney at Viking Park on Saturday.
Frost is one of several new faces to join the ACT Brumbies for the 2020 season and more are set to follow.
The Brumbies are reportedly on the verge of signing NRL convert Solomone Kata to bolster their back line and help fill the void of departed stars.
Kata played 93 games for the New Zealand Warriors before joining the Melbourne Storm, but he is set to switch to the Brumbies for a code swap.
He won't join the Brumbies until pre-season training starts and follows the footsteps of Tom Wright in making the leap to rugby union in Canberra.
It will be a new-look Brumbies side next year and 205 centimetre second-rower Frost will take invaluable experience to the field that his old friends lack: a stint in New Zealand, Brumbies teammates, and some advice for "Lord" Laurie Fisher.
"I've been plugging away but I'm hoping to take the opportunity with two hands," Frost said.
"It's good to be in a fulltime environment at the Brumbies, especially having Lord Laurie Fisher around and breaking down my set piece. I've learned a lot from that.
"The main thing in the back of my mind has been the NRC and I've been able to get an opportunity this weekend. It's been my first goal so I'm looking forward to it."
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Frost is looking to fill the void left by departing Brumbies duo Rory Arnold and Sam Carter but competes with Darcy Swain, Blake Enever, Murray Douglas and Cadeyrn Neville for game time.
It's been a whirlwind twelve months for the 19-year-old, who contributed to the Junior Wallabies run to the under-20s World Cup final after signing a full time contract with the Brumbies in May.
"It was once in a lifetime and now being in a full time system is a bit of a whirlwind when I'm just about to turn 20," Frost said.
"I'm pretty proud of that and I'm looking forward to what's coming."
The Vikings have a chance to clinch a spot in the NRC finals if they beat Sydney, with only one round following before play-offs.
A loss against Sydney would put the Vikings in a must-win scenario for the last game against NSW Country.
"Sydney have been very good at times and when they turn on, they're very good," Frost said.
"We've got to focus on our defence because they put a number on Queensland Country. We have to turn up and see how we go."
NRC ROUND SIX
Saturday: Canberra Vikings v Sydney Rays at Viking Park, 12pm.
Vikings: 1. Bo Abra, 2. Connal McInerney 3. Angus Wagner, 4. Darcy Swain, 5. Nick Frost, 6. Pete Samu, 7. Will Miller, 8. Rob Valentini, 9. Joe Powell, 10. Bayley Kuenzle, 11. Mack Hansen, 12. Irae Simone, 13. Len Ikitau, 14. Tom Wright, 15. Tom Banks. Reserves: 16. Lachlan Lonergan, 17. Fred Kaihea, 18. Tom Ross, 19. Blake Enever, 20. Angus Allen, 21. Ryan Lonergan, 22. Toni Pulu, 23. George Morseu
Lucie Bertoldo
Lucie Bertoldo is a sports reporter for the Canberra Times.
Lucie Bertoldo is a sports reporter for the Canberra Times.
