Rookie Penrith centre Brent Naden’s country upbringing was betrayed in the sheds after running in a contender for NRL try of the year late in their dramatic win over the Warriors.
Naden announced himself to the competition with an exceptional double, including a 90m solo try which ultimately set up their 19-18 golden point win in Auckland on Sunday.
The man who was laying cables for an internet access company little more than a month ago could barely contain himself when asked to recount his version of the try scored inside the final three minutes of regulation time to put his team ahead.
After busting through the initial line, he surprised himself by burning off the cover defence, having left Warriors fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck grasping.
“I got around him and it was all on, guns blazing,” Naden said.
“Like a jockey in the home stretch with a whip out, and I was getting whipped. It was like flogging a dead horse.
“As my pop used to say, pretend I’m chasing them with a stock whip or something. So I had him in my mind.
“I’m still a pup to it but that’s the best try I’ve scored in my career.”
Born and raised in Wellington, 50km south of Dubbo, Naden had always shown talent in the country grades but hadn’t got a break since trying out at junior level with Penrith, Newcastle and the Sydney Roosters.
Back at Penrith this year, he juggled a regular job with reserve grade duty until the first grade team came calling as injuries and player defections bit.
Four games, four tries and four wins have followed, along with a development contract, ending his nine-to-five gig.
Coach Ivan Cleary admitted he had wondered if Naden would ever fulfil his early talent.
“He’s 23 so he’s at that age where sometimes your goose is cooked if you haven’t made it,” Cleary said.
“He’s always had that big play in him. His last try, I’m not sure I knew he had that in him but obviously he has. So good.”