Austin Dias #258.

[TheDaBoss]

Dias delighted ahead of 'home' debut​

AuthorWests Tigers & Thomas Beauchamp & Michael AlgeriTimestampSat 2 Jul 2022, 02:21 PM

Austin Dias will make his NRL debut on ‘home soil’ on Sunday and become Wests Tigers player #258.

The 24-year-old prop comes into the side at the expense of James Tamou (calf strain) and will make his first appearance against the Warriors in front of a sell-out crowd at Mount Smart Stadium.


The Kiwi-born forward moved to Australia in his late teens, having played his junior footy in the Waikato region with Taniwharau.

He says Sunday will be a special moment for himself and his family.

"I'm just so happy and it really is a dream come true.

I’ve been working so hard for this for a long time and it’s magic that it’s about to happen."

I never thought I’d be making my NRL debut here in Auckland but as a proud Kiwi in some ways it makes it even more special."
Austin Dias

I can’t wait to get out there and do my best for the team and this club”

Dias joined Wests Tigers in 2020 on a train and trial deal after coming across from Canterbury Bulldogs, where he played both NSW Cup and Jersey Flegg.

Prior to his time at Canterbury, Dias was at Parramatta. He was a member of the Eels 2017 Under 20's squad which made the made NYC Grand Final and included the likes of Reed Mahaney and Dylan Brown.

Dias played in each of Wests Tigers' two pre-season trial matches. He’s made 13 appearances for the Magpies in the KOE NSW Cup this season, averaging 73 run metres and 19 tackles per game.


He has played 38 NSW Cup games for Canterbury and Western Suburbs from 2019-2022.

Coach Brett Kimmorley says he's delighted for both of his debutantes after handing Fonua Pole his first start earlier in the week.

It's great for both Fonua and Oz, they've worked really hard for this moment."

They've prepared well and now they're given a chance."

It's a big moment for both of them. They moved away from home to chase a dream and here it is."
Brett Kimmorley

Austin Dias:

DOB: 20/05/1998

Born: New Zealand

Position: Prop

Height: 198cm

Weight: 107kg

 

[StarswithStripes]

Good luck young fella and glad you could make your debut on home soil.

 

[Cobarcats]

This is awesome.
Can't wait to see both debutantes try their hand.
Good luck boys

 

[rex2ce]

He’s big enough not to take a backward step, we’ll see if he’s got the ticker

 

[tony soprano]

Not a good sign averaging 75 meters in reserve grade.

 

[rex2ce]

Not a good sign averaging 75 meters in reserve grade.

I said “we’ll see” if he has the ticker

 

[tony soprano]

I said “we’ll see” if he has the ticker

Hopefully mate

 

[Tiger Woods]

Good luck to both AD’s 2moro
Austin Dias & Adam Doueihi 😆

 

[WT2K]

Congrats Austin. Goodluck

 

[Yossarian]

I

Not a good sign averaging 75 meters in reserve grade.

It's a worry isn't? Although that team was getting lapped even worse than first grade earlier in the season.

 

[Demps]

Looks like Tarzan...

 

[hobbo1]

Dias > sefart

 

[Yossarian]

Dias > sefart

I think I > Seyfarth and I'm 46 and haven't played for 30 years.

 

[king_sirro]

I

It's a worry isn't? Although that team was getting lapped even worse than first grade earlier in the season.

That's what I was going to say. The way KOE have been getting pumped, it's impossible to make consistent metres.

There is nothing better then watching NRL debuts. Anything can happen. I have seen so many players look ok in reserve grade but just thrive on the step up become very good first graders. Ben Galea was one. Average reserve grader but immediately looked at home in the NRL. Then theres those who look world beaters in reserves but cant handle the step up.

Dial really could be a diamond in the rough.

 

[weststigerman]

Dias > sefart

You could say that but Seyfarth looks much better at NSW cup level. Dias definitely doesn’t give away as many penalties though.