Yet just three years later the 17-year-old is turning heads for all the right reasons as he looks to propel his country of birth — New Zealand — towards the junior world championships.

To get to the tournament Sorenson and his junior Tall Blacks teammates must win a three-game series against the Australian under-19s in Wellington this September.

The Springwood resident moved from across the Tasman at the age of eight but has remained loyal to his roots.

“It’s still good to have a bit of pride for New Zealand. When the rugby world cup comes on I still support the All Blacks of course . . . I think I’ve stayed true to where I was born and it’s just the way I am. I cop a bit of flak but that’s what I’ve stuck to,” said Sorenson.

Despite being a relative late-comer to the game, the Springwood resident has one important factor in his favour — his size. At 201cm and 102kg he has all the physical attributes needed to play the power forward role.

Coupled with his natural athleticism — having achieved success in a range of sports including soccer, athletics and tennis — Sorenson has risen through the ranks at lightning pace.

The learning curve has been steep nonetheless, with Sorenson admitting he “struggled” during his first club game for Penrith in 2009.

“I turned up and I was in my soccer clothes, I had sandshoes on — everyone else had their basketball singlets on, their basketballs shoes — and I didn’t have any idea what was going on,” said Sorenson.

“I think I scored a basket for the other team.”

Since that rough start the former Blue Mountains Grammar School student has been a regular on representative teams in school and club competitions. A decision in early-2012 to explore his options in New Zealand has led to selection in the junior Tall Blacks squad that will now travel to tournaments in Germany and China before its decisive clashes with Australia.

Sorenson could not be more excited about the year ahead and the opportunity to prove himself at the next level.

“I think I am ready for that world championship stage,” he said. “There’s a lot of training to be done . . . but I gelled pretty well with the team when I went over [to New Zealand] and that’s what the coaches were happy with, so I think we’ll be ready.”