AN AUSTRALIAN backpacker, over in Europe to watch his heroes at last month's Rugby World Cup, got more than he bargained for when a trial for the German national team led to his being thrown into a crucial European showdown.
University student Steve Williams, 25, who plays for Mosman in Sydney's suburban competition, stayed in Europe after watching Australia's unsuccessful World Cup bid and contacted the German Rugby Union.
Germany's director of rugby Peter Ianusevici invited the tight-head prop, who qualifies through his German mother, for a trial with the national team on Thursday.
The Romanian coach was so impressed with what he saw, he named Williams in the starting line-up for their key European Nations Cup division two clash against Moldova in Heidelberg overnight.
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