Hanno Dirksen wants to play for Wales – Rugby News Update
Hanno Dirksen, the 21-year-old Ospreys' winger has his sights on making a Wales debut in the future, and his team takes on the reigning Heineken Cup Champions, Leinster, for the final of the RaboDirect PRO12.
Dirksen has been a sensation for Ospreys this term, and his head coach, Steve Tandy, has bid him to take-over the winger mantle from Shane Williams, the recently retired Ospreys and Wales winger.
Dirksen, who was born in South Africa, moved to the USA as a child, playing age-grade rugby in the country. He moved to Britain to study at Truro College on a scholarship for the 2008-09 academic year, but later moved to Neath Port Talbot College has revealed
that he had an offer from the USA to play at the 2011 Rugby World Cup but he refused.
"They [the USA] asked me to be in the World Cup but it would have meant I would have been an international player for the Ospreys and they might not have signed me for another two years... you can only have a few per club here," said Dirksen.
He has played for the Eagles at senior level, becoming the youngest player when the USA played Munster in 2008 at Connecticut. It was a non-international, which means he can still qualify to play for Wales.
Under normal circumstances he would have qualified for residency in September 2012, but he entered Britain on a student visa, which means that his qualification started in 2011, and he will complete in 2014.
"It's only a year and a half away and, hopefully, I can keep playing like I am playing and be in amongst the squad," said Dirksen.
"That would be an amazing achievement for me if they want me. Wales is one of the top teams in the world now.”
However, Dirksen will have his sights on Leinster, who have an amazing European pedigree, playing three finals in the last four years. They defeated their final opponents during the normal season, and the 21-year-old winger is certain that they can make
it three wins out of three.
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