Long before becoming a Sevens star, Dylan Pietsch found himself scrapping at the breakdown against fellow Wallaby Fraser McReight. The winger-turned-utility could find himself reprieving this role at a national level.
Pietsch is one of several new faces in the Wallabies squad after impressing during the Super season for the Waratahs, named as one of three utilities alongside Ben Donaldson and Josh Kemeny
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Whilst making his name as a winger, Pietsch actually grew up packing on the side of the scrum before turning his focus to Sevens.
“I actually only started playing wing two years ago when I joined the Tahs so I've been a backrower my whole life, so it's something I'm pretty comfortable with," Pietsch explained to reporters.
“I think I almost played there three times this year (for the Waratahs) so I’m pretty comfortable there.
"Eddie sat me down and said I was an option so I needed to get my head around the line-outs.
"Initially my reaction (to being named a utility) was 'I don't really know what utility is', but I don't really care because I'm in the squad. I was a bit confused at the start but I kind of figured out it was probably my back row past or centres. I was just so happy to be in the squad.”
In a unique twist, Pietsch was selected in the NSW Schools I back row in 2016 alongside fellow utility Kemeny in a forward pack that included Brumbies and Wallabies lock Nick Frost
It’s at this Australian Schools Championships that he tested himself against the likes of fellow Wallaby Fraser McReight before going down to the Final to NSW Schools II.
If selected, Pietsch will become the 15th First Nations Wallaby and the first since Matt Hodgson in 2010.
Pietsch has been very open about his struggles mentally throughout his rise through the ranks.
He reflected on the highs and lows of his journey, stressing the importance of opening up and seeking help when you are going through tough times.
“It’s actually something I spoke to my dad about yesterday. It’s just so surreal you can completely 180 your whole life through just having a conversation,” Pietsch said.
“Obviously I was at the end of the spectrum in 2018 and now at the height of my life.
“It just shows one conversation can really change the world and makes me more express to people that you really need to talk to people and have people around you that you trust.
“…I’ve got a really close-knit group of friends and my family are really good in that space, they all work in mental health, so to be able to have that conversation with people you love, it’s really easy to call them up or when you see them have that conversation so you don’t have to sit there and bottle it up.”
