Croker, 17, has just returned from a five game tour of England with the national schoolboy side. A backrower, he missed out on selection in the team for the two tests against an English Academy team. Australia lost both games.

“I was a bit upset when I didn’t make the team,’’ Croker, from Nabiac, admitted.

“But that’s footy, that’s life. Now I’m aiming to make the team to play against New Zealand next year.’’

Croker was among the youngest in the touring party and one of the few who will still be at school in 2019. Before leaving he conceded he knew he would face a challenge to make the squad for the tests. He played in three of the five games, playing 40 and 50 minutes in the first two and 30 in the last. He was happy enough with his form.

“I did my job,’’ he said.

Croker described the English Academy squad as ‘a quality team.’

“About four of them have already played Super League,’’ he said.

The Australians were based in London, Newcastle and Manchester.

“We got to travel around and have a look at the place, which was good,’’ Croker said.

He enjoyed the touring experience. However, he wasn’t as keen on the English weather.

“The warmest it got was 8 degrees. The coldest was -2, and we had to train that day,’’ he smiled.

Croker was Taree High’s first Australian Schoolboy rugby league representative since Adam Woolnough in 1999. A Taree Panthers junior, he’s been in the Newcastle Knights system for the past two seasons, playing Harold Matthews Shield (under 16s) and SG Ball (under 18s). He’s now moved to Newcastle and lives with his brother, Matt, who also plays with the Knights.

“I go to Newcastle High three days a week and I’ve started a school-based traineeship as a butcher,’’ he explained.

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Newcastle great Kurt Gidley – who started his working life as a butcher – organised the traineeship.

Croker will resume training early in the new year with the Knights. He’s set himself a couple of goals for 2019 apart from making the Australian Schoolboys team.

“I want to have a good year with the SG Ball side, then hopefully get a run with the under 20s,’’ Croker said.

His brother, Matt, is currently training with the Knights senior squad, hoping to earn a place in the top 30 to play in the NRL next season.

“Next year is going to be huge,’’ Harry said.

“We’re both looking forward to it.’’

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