A WORCESTER Rugby Club player is beginning to make an impact Down Under after getting up to speed with the pace of play.

Dave Whiting, who captains the city’s Midlands One West club, is playing in Australia this summer after answering Merewether Carlton’s call for a prop.

The Greens compete in Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union’s Premier One and are aiming to win their first title since 2011.

Whiting, 25, has been playing for Worcester since the age of 11 but always dreamed of plying his trade in the southern hemisphere.

“I saw an advert online that simply said that an Australian team was looking for a prop so I got in contact straight away,” Whiting said.

“I sent some footage and a few details in an email and they responded.”

Whiting, who can operate in any position across the front row, stands at 6ft 1in and weighs 130kgs.

Despite his size the former Tudor Grange Academy pupil said he enjoyed playing a “high-tempo, offloading style of play” but admitted he received a “rude awakening” in his opening match against Hamilton Hawks.

“It has always been a dream of mine to come out and play in the southern hemisphere,” Whiting said.

“The tempo is so much quicker out here and I think I have adapted quite well.

“When I came over I started straight away for the first team and that was a bit of a rude awakening as I had just had a six-week break from rugby.

“But I am settling into it now. I got player of the match two weeks ago (against Southern Beach) and scored a try so I am starting to become accustomed to the style of rugby here.

“From the first session it was clear that we are looking to play from everywhere on the pitch and only kick when we have to.

“This challenge was what I needed and something I am really enjoying.”

Whiting, who was part of Worcester Warriors’ AASE scheme at Worcester Sixth Form College, said he was open to the possibility of carving out a career in the sport.

“I was a big lad when I was younger and someone asked me to head down to the local rugby club. I haven’t looked back since,” Whiting said.

“(Playing at a higher level) is something I would definitely have a go at.

“I have been in touch with a couple of clubs in other countries since I have been out here.

“But at the moment I see myself as a Worcester Rugby Club player and I will be signing back up with them unless anything else drastically changes.

“That is my boyhood club and my dream is to lead them to promotion.”

Whiting said he was grateful to Blackpole-based Payters Facilities Management for giving him a five-month sabbatical to play in Australia.

And the powerhouse forward insisted he did not want to return home in October without a winner’s medal.

“We are sitting second in the table, level on points with the team above us but they have got a game in hand,” Whiting said.

“We have still got to play them so we are on course to get the league title and after that there are the play-offs and the grand final.

“It has been a while since they won it and they are a big club in the area so it would be great if we could do it this year.”