WHEN Sid Harvey ran onto the field on Friday night at Allianz Stadium for the Waratahs, the young outside back had the full-throated backing of Narrabri High School.
Harvey graduated from the Waratahs academy to the senior squad late last year and on Friday made his first-grade debut against the New Zealand Hurricanes.
The Hurricanes landed a decisive 59-19 win against the NSW Waratahs, with nine tries to the Waratahs’ three.
Harvey, 20, was listed as a replacement and created a half-break in the 71st minute, and successfully converted a try.
Hosts Waratahs opened the scoring through Triston Reilly, but trailed 19-12 at the break before the Hurricanes charged away with the contest in the second half.
Despite the loss, it’s been an exciting journey for Harvey, a Narrabri High School graduate who completed schooling in 2023.
The Waratahs said Harvey had a stellar year in 2025, being named joint Junior Men’s Player of the Year at the Rugby Australia Awards, debuting for the Australian Men’s Sevens and playing strongly for Australia at the World Rugby Under 20 Championship.
Harvey, also a gun cricketer, previously played junior rugby for the Narrabri Blue Boars in the Central North Rugby Union.
In 2021 represented the NSW Country under-16s team at the 2021 NSW Country Junior Rugby Union Championships.
In November, 2024 Harvey made his international debut for the Australian sevens team in Dubai on the first leg of the 2024–25 Sevens Series.
Boggabilla Central School executive principal Jed Peisley watched the match with enormous pride.
“I had the pleasure of being Sid’s NSW Combined High Schools Sports Association 1st XV Rugby Team Manager in 2022 and 2023,” Mr Peisley said.
“I describe him as the quintessential country boy who has never forgotten where he has come from.
“In a code largely dominated by private school players, Sid is proof that public education can enable the opportunities required to achieve your dreams.”
