When the world’s best rugby league players were announced in the Rugby League World Cup squads last week, Mackay Cutters fans noticed a familiar name in the Scotland line-up.
Cutters’ hooker Kyle Schneider will represent Scotland in the World Cup, starting this weekend, eligible through the Scottish heritage of his grandparents.
Kyle, 22, grew up on the Central Coast and spent time in the Parramatta Eels system before Mackay Cutters Head of Football Kim Williams brought him north to continue his development at the start of the 2022 season.
“We’re very pleased to have a player of his quality in our system,” Kim said.
“One of our goals is to help him on his journey to the highest levels of the game.
“Any time we can help a player to play for his country, play for his heritage, that’s something, as a club, we need to be really proud of and keep supporting in the future.”
While this is Kyle’s debut for Scotland, he has experienced representative football having played in the Australian Schoolboys squad.
Kim said he’s been on the radar of NRL, QRL and NSW Cup clubs for quite some time.
“We felt very lucky to get him up here and we’re hoping that he kicks on to the next level but, for the moment, we’re happy to give him an opportunity here,” he said.
Kyle made 18 appearances for the Cutters in the 2022 season, finishing the season with 10 try assists and 11 line-break assists.
Kim was contacted by Scotland coach Nathan Graham a few months ago, asking for more information on Kyle’s ability and character.
“I couldn’t recommend him highly enough,” Kim said.
“He’ll be an asset to their squad both on and off the field.
“He’s got a very strong all-round game.
“He’s a very good defender, he’s got a kicking game out of dummy half.
“He’s got good vision, good deception around the ruck.
“He creates things for players around him and that’s a sign of a really good player.”
Kim’s advice to Kyle was to make the most of the opportunity.
“It could be a once-in-a-lifetime thing,” Kim said.
“It’s an opportunity for him to put his name in front of every NRL club, every Super League club, every talent scout, every recruitment officer.
“They’re in the same pool as Australia so if he gets to play that game, he’s going to play against the best players in the world.
“When you do that, I think you come out of that as a better player yourself.”
Scotland will kick off their World Cup campaign on Sunday, October 16 against Italy.
The group stage will also see them play Australia on Saturday, October 21 and Fiji on Saturday, October 29.
You can catch the games on Fox League.
