DAN Abram has experienced first-hand a glimpse of what it is that makes Australia the dominant force in international rugby league.

The Kangaroos reasserted their status as the number one side in the world with their unbeaten run to glory in the recent Four Nations competition, with England and New Zealand – the other members of the sport’s ‘big three’ – falling painfully short of the standards set by Mal Meninga’s side.

Barrow Raiders hooker Abram spent 2015 Down Under, playing for Sarina Crocodiles in Queensland’s Mackay and District League – a club which has produced the likes of former internationals Martin Bella, Wendell Sailor and Dale Shearer, plus current NRL half-back Daly Cherry-Evans.

Even playing for a district league country side, who were coached by current Rochdale Hornets boss Alan Kilshaw at the time, gave him a revealing insight into both the rugby culture and level of ability among the players in one of the sport’s Australian heartlands.

“Rugby over there is completely different to how it is over here,” said Abram. “Every night, there was something about rugby on the TV and it’s their main sport, really. Everybody loves it.

“You kind of adapt with the lads you play with and adapt to them. They’ve got some really strong kids out there and some of their skills are amazing. I played with some of the best players I have ever played with out there.

“It was a great experience. I’m happy to be here, but I would definitely go back there.”

That spell gave Abram the opportunity to build further on the skills he had honed while part of the youth set-up at Super League side St Helens, where he played alongside Raiders off-season recruit Lewis Charnock.

Recent seasons have seen him transition from half-back to hooker and, although he can still cover in the halves when needed, Abram again set to battle it out for the number nine shirt with Nathan Mossop and Karl Ashall at Craven Park in 2017.

The fact the trio have all agreed to stay on for the new Kingstone Press League One season is a huge boost to Barrow head coach Paul Crarey, and Abram is delighted with his personal progression after making 15 first-team appearances in 2016.

“It’s been great and it was one of the best seasons of rugby I’ve had in a while,” said Abram. “Cresta (Crarey) has worked really closely with me and developed me as a player. Hopefully I can develop even more and go on to even better things.

“Paul was a hooker when he was playing, so when we’re going over videos he can explain what is right, what’s wrong and how you can improve, so it’s good learning from him.

“Whether it’s your running or your passing or whatever, Paul can help you adapt. He’ll show you videos of other people and explain what they are doing right and wrong.”

Like the rest of the squad, Abram has quickly settled back into the pre-season training routine as Raiders begin their preparations for a season which sees the club with its sights firmly set on earning one of the two available promotion places in League One.

And while he is not talking up Barrow’s chances too much, he sees no reason why they cannot go one better than the play-off final defeat away to Toulouse Olympique next time around.

“We’ll just take each game as it comes, but I can’t see much going wrong this year,” said Abram.

“We’ve got a really good squad together and everything is going well at pre-season.

“All of the lads are getting on and all of the new lads are fitting in well, so hopefully it will be a good year for us.”