Melbourne Rebels new recruit Darby Lancaster has left the door open for a tilt at the Paris Olympics, although admits he is eager to turn his focus to Super Rugby and the 15-a-side game.
Lancaster signed a two-year deal with the Rebels, continuing their long history of attracting players from the World Series.
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Lachie Anderson and Joe Pincus recently signed extensions with the club, whilst the likes of Henry Hutchison, Stu Dunbar and Lewis Holland are amongst a plethora of players to switch between the club and Sevens program.
“That’s massive. It’s a program that’s developed (Sevens) players before and they know how to do it, I’m not the first so I think I can take a lot of confidence in their ability to transform Sevens players into 15s," Lancaster said on making the decision to head south.
“I just want to play the best footy I can play and think Melbourne is a really good place to do it.”
The 20-year-old has emerged as one of the key players on the Sevens circuit for John Manenti.
He's scored 20 tries on the World Series since making his debut last year and has become a reliable performer in big games.
Lancaster confirmed there is a clause in his contract to return to the program for next year's Paris Games after Australia qualified for the Olympics last week.
“I sat down with Johnny (Manenti) a couple times and weighed up the options of Sevens and 15s,” he explained.
“It’s tough because both are such great programs and games which offer so much travelling and developing your game. I feel personally and speaking to my parents, now is the right time to head over to 15s and do my best over there.
“There’s a clause in my contract there says I can play in the (Paris) Olympics, which was a big factor in deciding where to go and making sure that was a possibility.”
Lancaster's focus is on the Junior Wallabies though, joining them in camp ahead of a two-Test series against New Zealand.
He is one of several players that featured in their 69-12 defeat last year on the Sunshine Coast, hungry to make amends.
“What happened last year I think is pretty embarrassing,” Lancaster added.
“We got dusted and outclassed. Simply put, they were a lot better side so I think just looking at training today, I’m hoping to really stick it to these guys and give them a run for their money.
“I’ve lost and won to them a couple of times on the World Series and geez it’s nice to beat them.”
