RICHARD Brown's rugby journey from Julia Creek to Brisbane has already taken him to the brink of stardom.

Brown, 19, won the Reds Rugby College scholarship holder of the year at the Premier Rugby awards night in Brisbane last week to cap a dizzying 12 months. The openside flanker made the Australian sevens team, the Australian under-21 team, then helped Wests in the Premier Rugby competition, after transferring from University Colts at the start of the season.

Brown said winning the award was an honour, following in the footsteps of the likes of Steve Kefu and David Croft.

“I guess my aim for next year is to play Super 12, even if it's only five minutes,” he said.

Brown was in his home town of Julia Creek until the end of year seven when he moved to Brisbane's Nudgee College. He said coming to Wests was a good move.

“I'd heard Jules (Julian Gardner) was a tough coach but a reasonable one, and I've been able to watch guys like Cass (Cassidy Holland) and Roey (John Roe) and take bits and pieces from their games and add my own stuff in,” he said.

“It's been a very friendly club that opened me with welcome arms and everyone looked out for me.”