GUNNEDAH native Ben Gunter is set to make a big impression on the Super Rugby competition during his on-field debut for the Sunwolves today.
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The 21-year-old will run out in the number six for the Japanese side in their round 5 clash with the Queensland Reds in Singapore.
Having been named on the bench in his side's first game of the season, Gunter has missed the last three matches with a hamstring injury.
With the injury firmly in the rear-vision mirror, the flanker will start for the side for the first time.
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Gunter told the Leader he was ready for the challenge of playing Super Rugby.
"I'm feeling nervous but it's a good kind of nervous," Gunter said.
"I never thought I would be playing Super Rugby at 21-years-old.
"I'm really looking forward to just getting out there because once I’m out there on the field, all the nerves and the over thinking goes out the door and I just play rugby."
Gunter has called Japan home for the last three years, starting his career with the Panasonic Wild Knights in 2016.
Over the next two years, Gunter went on to make 29 appearances for a total of 10 points.
"I think that I’m learning a lot being with the Sunwolves," Gunter said.
"It’s definitely different playing with the Sunwolves.
"I think it [Super Rugby] will be more physical and less room for error but I’m really looking forward to seeing what it’s like and then taking my experience back to the Wild Knights."
Watching Gunter from back in Australia will be his family, including his "pop" Jeff Worrell.
"I think that I’m learning a lot being with the Sunwolves," Gunter said.
"We are bloody exited," said.
"He was picked in round one but was only named on the bench. Ben was obviously pretty disappointed to miss the last few games through injury, but he is back and will run on for the first time.
"It's fair to say we are very proud of him."
Worrell said he wasn't going to make too many predictions about Gunter's performance, but he was confident he would "go well".
"I'm not too sure about the likelihood of him scoring but I am confident with the way he tackles he might hurt a few people," he said.
Gunter said it was "really special" to know his family would be watching from Australia.
"The best feeling in the world is to make yours family proud," he said.
"I wouldn’t be where I am without my family.
"I will have my dad watching from PNG and pop and mum watching it in NSW with my sister.
"I hope I can make them proud."
- The game starts at 3.15pm.
