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Schoolboy star lured back to Australia from New Zealand

Nick Frost scores a try for Canterbury Under 19's at the Jock Hobbs Memorial National U19 Tournament in Taupo last year. (Photo by Michael Bradley/Getty Images)

Australian schoolboy sensation Nick Frost has been lured back to his homeland from New Zealand after spending a year-and-a-half with the Crusaders.

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The former Australian schools lock has cut short his three-year deal with the Christchurch club to take up an offer with the Brumbies that will see him stay in Canberra for two years as he eyes a spot in the Wallabies squad.

Frost hit the headlines in October 2017 after spurning the chance to join the Waratahs in favour of the Crusaders in a rare move that saw a New Zealand franchise cash in on an Australian teenage prodigy.

However, the 19-year-old, who stands at 2.05m tall, has already returned across the Tasman, and will remain with the Brumbies for the rest of the year.

There is no bad feeling about Frost’s departure from Christchurch though, with the teenage second rower describing his stay in the nine-time Super Rugby champions’ development system as invaluable.

“I learned a lot about structure and about how New Zealanders play rugby,” he said.

“It took me a while to learn, but once I got it, it came easily. It was a very enjoyable time. It certainly suited my style as a player but now I’m excited by the prospects on offer here.”

Brumbies coach Dan McKellar praised the youngster for taking himself outside of his comfort zone to enhance his rugby skills, and had high praise for his athleticism and mobility.

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“Nick is a big boy and what strikes most is his athletic ability,” he said.

“He has a background in athletics and moves very well for a big man. We will work closely with Nick on his ongoing development through this year with his arrival now in preparation for the 2020 Brumbies season.”

Frost will kick-off his playing career in Canberra this weekend when he will take to the field for Queanbeyan Whites in the Griffin Legal John I Dent Cup.

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Nickers 22 minutes ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

I thought we made a lot of progress against that type of defence by the WC last year. Lots of direct running and punching holes rather than using width. Against that type of defence I think you have to be looking to kick on first phase when you have front foot ball which we did relatively successfully. We are playing a lot of rugby behind the gain line at the moment. They are looking for those little interchanges for soft shoulders and fast ball or off loads but it regularly turns into them battering away with slow ball and going backwards, then putting in a very rushed kick under huge pressure.


JB brought that dimension when he first moved into 12 a couple of years ago but he's definitely not been at his best this year. I don't know if it is because he is being asked to play a narrow role, or carrying a niggle or two, but he does not look confident to me. He had that clean break on the weekend and stood there like he was a prop who found himself in open space and didn't know what to do with the ball. He is still a good first phase ball carrier though, they use him a lot off the line out to set up fast clean ball, but I don't think anyone is particularly clear on what they are supposed to do at that point. He was used really successfully as a second playmaker last year but I don't think he's been at that role once this year. He is a triple threat player but playing a very 1 dimensional role at the moment. He and Reiko have been absolutely rock solid on defence which is why I don't think there will be too much experimentation or changes there.

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