Mark Gerrard can lay claim to a slice of Australian rugby union history – he was the first player contracted to a Super 12 side straight out of school.

It proved a judicious decision by the NSW Waratahs, although Gerrard played only one Super 12 game for the franchise. After two seasons in Sydney, in which he turned out for the Australian under 19 and 21 sides, Gerrard was snapped up by the ACT Brumbies.

The move to Canberra proved the turning point in Gerrard's promising career. His opening two seasons with the Brumbies were outstanding, with Gerrard featuring in a backline regarded as one of the strongest in the Super 12 competition.

In 2004, Gerrard scored 10 tries including a hattrick in the Brumbies' Super 12 final win over the Crusaders.

That form was rewarded when he was named in the Wallabies side for the Brisbane Test against England but a hamstring injury cost him his Test debut.

Gerrard was, however, named in the Wallabies touring squad for the end-of-season European tour and his elusive running looks set to be a feature of Australian rugby for years to come.