AFTER one Super League appearance, 22-year-old Frenchmen Yacine Ben Abdeslem was willing to travel to the ends of the earth in pursuit of a second.
And that’s exactly what the hooker, now with Pia, did as he packed his bags and left his family and friends to learn his trade with the Sunshine Coast Falcons and Western Clydesdales in Queensland.
Back in the Super XIII competition and playing alongside the likes of Theo Fages, Harrison Hansen and Hakim Miloudi, Abdeslem is being linked with a number of British clubs when his commitments end – with Castleford ranked the frontrunners.
“I made my Super League debut against Leeds in August 2024,” ex-Catalans man Abdeslem tells rugbyleaguehub.com.
“After that, I was in the Catalans Dragons squad, then returned to the reserve team to finish the season before heading to Australia last summer – from June to August with the Western Clydesdales.”
For such a young fellow, being so far from home helped him grow up quickly.
“On the field I was very surprised by the style of play, which was much different to what was used to,” he said.
“It’s much faster and much more instinctive, which is a huge advantage for the attack.
“It was a joy to play.”
But off the field, the lessons were just as dramatic: Abdeslem worked as a builder, constructing steel frames.
“Everyday life there is different,” he said. “Even if you play at a good level, you have a job like everyone else and it makes you realise how hard it is to reach the top.
“The routine is tough but it’s good because it forces you to be disciplined.”
In the end, it was too expensive for Abdeslem to stay in the nation where his favourite sport is king.
“He worked hard,” said his friend and advisor, Pierre Vandome. “But unfortunately a French boy cannot have Aussie Medicare so he had to pay big money for insurance.
“The club wanted him but couldn’t help him … it cost too much money. He was on match payments and they covered his accommodation.”
Coached by former Canterbury star Jason Alchin while Down Under, Yacine – who played two Tests for France – is hopeful of being picked up and making that second Super League appearance in the coming months.
“My ambition today is to reach my full potential,” he said.
“My debut made me want to go back. I know I have to give myself the means to do so.”
And that’s what that 36,000km round trip was for.