NSW Country Rugby Union released its senior and under-20 squads yesterday and, thanks to weather-affected, winless campaigns in both divisions at last weekend’s NSW Country Championships, only three Central West players managed selection across the two line-ups.
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Orange duo Adam Perri and Logan Brockmann - both of whom were part of the NSW Country team at the Southern States Under-20 Championships at Adelaide in March - retained their Cockatoos Colts jerseys after strong showings.
Perri, Orange Emus’ five-eighth, directed traffic in Central West’s senior side last weekend but remained eligible for the colts side, while Brockmann transitioned seamlessly between Central West Colts’ front and second row.
“They were both fantastic at the NSW Country Championships,” Cockatoos Colts coach Mat Thomas said.
“And they were both great in Adelaide too. We expected Perri to play in Central West’s opens side, his versatility led us to assume he would.
“He did a great job in awful conditions, and he’s one of the most talented blokes going around.
“Logan, well he was just incredible. He was one of a few guys who could have been named player of the tournament.
“He played second row, but moved back into prop against Newcastle-Hunter to try and combat their prop Blake Walsh, who is phenomenal, and did well.
“His work rate around the paddock is incredible, although I gave him a fair ribbing about his goal-kicking. I’m not sure about props kicking goals.”
Perri is expected to line up in the No.10 jersey for NSW Country, while Brockmann is being considered to start as well.
Regardless, Thomas said the pair’s experience gave him confidence they would perform in the side’s clash with Gen Blue - the NSW Waratahs’ under-20 squad - at the end of the month.
“They both played when we played them before the Southern States tournament, and we had them,” Thomas said.
“We had them at half-time but fell away. We’re definitely going there looking for a win.”
Former Orange City flanker Billy Freeman was also named in the squad, alongside 10 of his Rowlands Cup-winning Newcastle-Hunter teammates.
“We’re confident we’ve put together a very strong squad, with several guys who played in Adelaide,” Thomas said.
“For the 18 and 19 year olds, this game will be as much a trial for next year’s tournament as anything.
“The pathway is there now for country players to make the Australian under-20 side without going to Sydney, which is just massive.”
Despite having three other players from Central West’s senior side in mind - Orange City duo Joe Lasagavibau and Mesui Lemoto and Trangie’s George Quigley - Cockatoos incumbent Dan Ryan, from Parkes, was the only player named in the open squad.
NSW COUNTRY COLTS: Adam Perri, Logan Brockmann (Central West), Phil Bradford, Liam Brice, Jayden Daley, Adrian Delore, Billy Freeman, Will Frost, Sione Kamoto, Zac Trinkler, Blake Walsh, John Woods, Aaron Brennan (Newcastle-Hunter), Brenton Acreman, Josh Vainikolo, (Central Coast), Tom Apthorpe (Central North), Samson Bai, Jack King, Alex Pay, Daniel Sweeney (New England), Tom Blanch, Peter Coetzer (Mid North Coast), Linden Deans (Western Plains), John King (Far North Coast).
NSW COUNTRY: Joe Akkersdyk, Sireli Bainvalu, Ben Christensen, Blake Creighton, Steve Lamont, Jay Strachan, Va Talailevia, Andrew Tuala, Blake Walsh, Eric Vasukicakau (Newcastle-Hunter), Dan Ryan (Central West),Tom Azar, Ben Egan (Western Plains), Andrew Barrett, Jade Gardiner, Hori Leef, Aaron Loudon, Rapine Mason, Mark Minter, Andrew Rae, Paul Tuala, Eli Sinoti (Illawarra), Ben Damon, Jerry Faifaise, Kalavani Leatigaga, (Far North Coast), Jake Douglas, Matt Schwager (Central North), Daniel Hilton, Brad Sheridan, Joe Taylor, Apisai Vatubuli, Tyler Jones (Central Coast), Adam McCormack, Waylen Skipps (Mid North Coast).