RHYS BENNETT took a giant leap towards big-time rugby when he impressed the Welsh Exiles selectors with a silky hat-trick for London Kiwis on Saturday.

The full back ran in his three tries with consumate ease at Southbury Road as the Kiwis beat Imperial Medics 37-22 to maintain their 100 per cent record and earn himself a call up to the Welsh Exiles under-19 and under-20 trials.

That could launch him into contention for a place in the full Welsh squad in time for the youth Rugby World Cup next year which is being held in the country of his birth -- Wales.

Peter Taylor, of the Welsh Exiles selection committee, revealed that the scout he had sent to Enfield was very impressed.

"He looks extremely good," he confirmed. "We will not be able to say how good, though, until he has shown us what he can do at the trials but reports from the game on Saturday were very positive."

If Bennett reproduces the form he showed on Saturday against the Medics, a call up to either of the squads should be a formality. He scored his tries with real confidence and his third was nothing short of stunning. He had just scored his second, after good work by Mike Butler when, straight from the restart, he collected the ball, burst through the midfield and eluded three defenders before running in under the posts.

Bennett qualifies as a Welshman through his parentage. He was born in Glamorgan, but his parents moved to New Zealand when he was just two. "I remember nothing about Wales," he admitted, "but I'd love to pull on the jersey.

"My father basically asked if I wanted to go to Wales last year while I had a bit of time and some money saved up. I was playing for East Coast Bays at the time, but I was injured -- I broke my collarbone -- so I thought I would come and see where I was born.

"Once I got here, I found out about the Kiwis, gave them a call and the rest is history. I am so grateful to the club for giving me this opportunity. Everyone has been brilliant."

Wayne Simeon, the Kiwis' No 8 who has been recruiting players since the summer, believes that in Bennett, the Kiwis have a real star of the future.

He said: "Rhys is such a raw talent. His running is wonderful, he's incredibly elusive and we are delighted to have him as part of our set up.

"We have had a great start to our first season and this news has added to the general feeling of optimism in the camp."

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