Orange Emus’ Carter Hirini, regularly labelled the fastest man in the Blowes Clothing Cup (BCC), will line up on the wing for the Australian Barbarians against the NSW Country Eagles’ development squad today, and the speedster said he was champing at the bit to take the field.

“I got a text on Tuesday letting me know I had been picked, it’s a pretty amazing opportunity,” he said.

“To know I’ve been given a spot to play the second string NSW Country side, no doubt in front of plenty of wingers better than me is massive.

“I’m just going to look to do my little things well, for example taking any high balls that come my way and sticking all my tackles, but if the chance arises to show off what I can do, maybe what some others players might not be able to do, I’ll definitely be taking them.”

Hirini said the chance to play for the Barbarians was somewhat of a silver lining after his Emus side was convincingly beaten in last weekend’s Blowes Clothing Cup grand final by Dubbo Kangaroos.

“That was hugely disappointing,” he said.

“But I’ve been through that before and I know those chances, and this one, don’t come along all that often, so I’m looking at this as another grand final.

“It’s one of those things that could potentially give me an avenue to play a higher level of rugby in the future if I do well, and I’m 110 per cent keen.”

With little representative rugby under his belt since arriving at Emus two seasons ago Hirini said, on the back of a stellar season in green, today’s game was a chance to potentially catapult him on to the representative scene.

“I wanted to trial for Central West last season but unfortunately prior commitments kept me out,” he explained.

“Obviously the boys won [the NSW Country Championship], but if I get noticed from this game it will help for 2015. I’ll definitely go out for it, it’s just another of those chances I don’t want to miss.”

The Kiwi flyer heaped praise on his Baa Baas teammates, including four other BCC players in Josh Tremain (Orange City), Brent Braithwaite (Emus), Lachie McCutcheon (Narromine) and newly crowned BCC player of the year Hugh Medway (CSU Bathurst).

“I think it will help having some friendly faces around,” Hirini said.

“We have some very handy players in our side, but so do the Eagles. It’s a massive chance for all of us.”

The Baa Baas clash with the Eagles at Orange’s Wade Park, with kick-off at 12.45pm.