New Western Force recruit Nic Dolly is settling into Perth life and “itching to go” ahead of the side’s Spring Series tour of South Africa which starts later this month.
The 25-year-old hooker landed in Perth in July after spending the past seven years playing in England and has been in the thick of Force training since his arrival.
Born in Sydney, Dolly moved to England in 2017 to play for Sale Sharks before stints with Coventry and Leicester Tigers, the latter where he played alongside current Force stars Harry Potter, Tom Horton and Sam Carter.
Dolly had his injury challenges at Leicester, including a significant knee injury in May 2022 after being on the wrong end of a crocodile roll tackle, but he’s feeling fit in Force training.
“Itching to go,” Dolly told Force TV. “I feel pretty good in terms of my body.
“Obviously, training is tough and a new system of things, so there’s a lot to get my head around.
“I’ve had patches of times where I’ve been able to play a lot of rugby.
“Unfortunately, in the game you get a few injuries. I’ve had my fair share. I hope that’s well and truly done.
“I’m working with the S&Cs to make sure I put myself in the best position to focus on getting out on the field, playing rugby and playing free.
“For me, I just want to put the jersey on, represent the club in a really good way and hopefully push the team forward.
“I’m just really itching to go, I think all the boys are. I think we need to play more games. The fans want to see it, we want to play it, the Spring Series is going to be a great opportunity for us.”
Dolly joked that his seven-year stint was “the longest holiday in history” having originally headed over for a two-month trip, before signing a deal with Sale.
In that context, the front-rower was excited about returning to Australia to play for the Force, whose trajectory as a team excites him, along with facilitating his own international ambitions.
Dolly actually earned an England cap in 2021 following his strong form with Leicester, but becomes eligible to Australia in November.
“Cronny actually gave me a call not too long into last season,” Dolly said. “The opportunity arose to come here.
“For me, I want to push for international honours and become eligible for the Wallabies soon. There’s a lot to do between now and then.
“Definitely wherever I was going to go, whether it was to stay in England or here, I want to play international rugby.
“I think here is a great spot for me. It’s a great opportunity to do that with the signings we’re making and the trajectory that the club is on. I think it’s only up from here. You see how many boys are in the Wallabies now, I think we can push a few more in for sure.”
The Force will name a traveling party for South Africa in the lead-up to the free entry Perth Gold game at UWA Sports Park on Saturday 21 September, before the team flies out on Monday 23 September for games against the Cheetahs, Emerging Ireland and the DHL WP XV.
In the lead-up, Dolly has been impressed by the quality of Force training and the set-up.
“It’s been great,” he said. “Obviously, there’s a few boys away and there’s a load of people still to get to know.
“The squad depth we’re trying to put out is the biggest improvement from last year. We want to have competition throughout all positions.
“I think it’s a great opportunity for those lads who probably didn’t get too much gametime last year to step forward and put those boys who are away under pressure.
“The way the coaches have driven that and used it as a great opportunity for the spring series to get more games, especially for those fellas and to build depth and some really strong competition in house.”
Dolly has enjoyed his first few months in Perth, dabbling in fishing and golf, likening himself to Jon Daly, albeit arguably more due to his beach blonde mullet hairstyle, along with maintaining his Online Coach business with 1-2-1 tailor programming @BuildUFitness.
“Bit of golf,” he said. “Trying to get a bit of fishing done. Doing a bit more cleaning of the ocean than catching fish. I’m pretty good at casting now!
“Looking after the business side of things outside of rugby. It’s nice to do something away from rugby. It takes your mind away. Otherwise I can be someone who’s on all the time, so it’s a switch-off to help others. I really do enjoy that.”
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