Jason Ryles

I’warra junior from Wollongong Wests made just seven appearances for the Dragons in 2000, all from the interchange bench. The promising forward came into his own in 2001, especially after suspensions to Kiwi Test prop Craig Smith and injury to Luke Bailey. Despite missing out on State of Origin selection, Ryles was openly touted as being an ideal utility forward on the Kangaroo Tour. (He was actually on the Dragons’ end of season trip to Bali when he and team-mate Mark Gasnier heard of their selections). Ryles made his Test debut as an interchange player in Australia’s 54-12 win over Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby the week before the Kangaroos left for England. The cancellation of the tour, due to concerns over travelling internationally following the September 11 terrorist attacks, was a bitter blow to the game but the young St George I’warra forward took a lot of the hysteria out of the debate when he was quoted as being prepared to ‘play in Afghanistan if they want me to.’ Subsequently, the tour was shortened to just three weeks with Ryles used from the interchange bench in Australia’s loss to Great Britain in the First Test in Huddersfield. Following a suspension to prop Jason Stevens Ryles was promoted to the Australian run-on side for the vital Second Test and rounded off an exceptional season with a final appearance off the bench in Australia’s Ashes-winning Third Test. Ryles made his State of Origin debut the following year and for four straight seasons (2002-05) he continued to build his reputation as an international class forward. Injuries at crucial stages of the 2006 season, however, resulted in Ryles missing all rep matches that year.