Mick Weyman is an Australian rugby league star but the Hull KR signing almost ...

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Hull KR writer Charlie meets up with Mick Weyman in Tenerife and discovers how the club’s new signing nearly didn’t follow in his famous father’s rugby league footsteps

WHEN the local sports ground is named after your dad, it’s assumed you’d follow in his footsteps.

But that wasn’t the case when Hull KR Mick Weyman first picked up a rugby ball.

The thought of playing at the Ack Weyman Oval, Moruya was a miles away.

His dad was gutted, thinking his first born wouldn’t give rugby a go just as he did.

Luckily for Ack, Mick revisited rugby two years later and it’s fair to say he’s emulated his dad’s achievements in their home, south of Sydney.

However, the ground is still called the Ack Weyman Oval, despite his son winning the NRL Grand Final, playing State of Origin and wearing the green and gold of his country.

Maybe when he returns home, there will be a renaming ceremony.

Despite not liking his first rugby experience, Mick is glad he stuck with it.

“I was about four when I first picked up a rugby ball and I hated it,” Weyman said.

“My father wasn’t too impressed that his first born didn’t like rugby. He’s a bit of a local legend for Mourya Butchers, then Sharks, and he was shattered when I didn’t like rugby.

“He was a front rower/second rower that never left Moruya. He could have gone on with it, but decided not to.

“I went back to it when I was six and actually enjoyed it. I’d say he’d agree I’ve surpassed his achievements.”

But for all Mick’s achievements, and as glittering as his CV may be, there is still one thing missing.

He has never played for his dad’s old team.

That will change, though, when he calls time on his professional career as he intends to fulfil a promise he made several years ago.

“I’ll have one year with them, I’ve promised them that,” Weyman said.

“Dad always said he would be happy if we played first grade for Moruya.

“I’ve never played for Moruya. My father never won a competition with them but my brother did last year. I’ve been lucky enough to play for state and country and play in a Premiership winning team.

“Those aren’t things I look on now. I’m humbled by them and when I retire I’ll look back on it a lot more.”

When he does retire and eventually play for the Sharks, Weyman is in no doubt about where his future will lie.

Unlike many ex professionals, he won’t be trying his hand as a pundit in the media. Nor will he be buying a whistle and going down the coaching route.

Instead he’ll go back to the farm he grew up on which gave him the strength to have a successful career at the highest level.

“After I finish I’ll probably go back to the farm,” Weyman said.

“I have the civil engineering to fall back on if I need to. I’ve done well from rugby over the years and enjoyed the camaraderie. I’ve made friends for life whether that’s coaching staff or players.

“It’s a beef cattle and sheep farm. I have 150 cows, 150 calves and about 250 sheep and I just have my dad looking after it for me.

“I’ve been around farms all my life and it’s something I have a passion for. The earth moving game has been my passion and that’s where the civil engineering came from.

“I was interested in machines and it’s something I’ll look into when I’m done with rugby.”

He also has his family to spend time with too.

Leaving his two children at home in Hull as he took part in Rovers’ Camp ClearSky in Tenerife was tough, but thanks to Skype he’s been able to keep in touch.

“My daughter Lila is 19 months and son Sam is four months,” Weyman said.

“I’m very lucky to have a good wife, Alison, who puts up with rugby. She’s been really good for me and she has been there with me throughout.

“It’s been a good transition and it’s a good excuse for the parents to get across to England and see us.

“My wife’s parents are over for Christmas, which is nice.”

Mick Weyman is an Australian rugby league star but the Hull KR signing almost ...