They no longer contest the sort of tournaments that Matt Waterford lived for when he was representing NSW Country, but their matches in 2016 still mean just as much according to the ex-Bathurst Bulldogs lock.

Waterford is the manager of the Cockatoos side which will meet an ACT Brumbies Provincial XV today at Ashwood Park in the first of three games they will feature in this year.

Matches against a Sydney Suburban outfit and Queensland Country will follow in the coming weeks.

“There are still some trophies on the line, against the Sydney Subbies and Queensland Country. We basically want to ensure that we are the most dominant amateur side going around,” he said.

“The Queensland match is probably going to be the real grudge match, but we are raring to go for each match and just looking at them all individually.

“We’re expecting pretty stiff competition from all three opponents, but this weekend especially. We don’t know a lot about their team, they haven’t had a match yet, so there’s no footage or reports that we can look at to work them out. 

“The thing with all these representative teams is that they change regularly from year to year, so every time you play against one of them, it will be a lot different to what you’ve seen of them previously anyway.”

The Brumbies Provincial team is made up predominantly of the former Riverina zone, which left NSW Country nearly a decade ago. 

Traditionally, according to Waterford, they made up a high percentage of the Cockatoos team and as such have always been strong.

He doesn’t want that reputation to stop his players from throwing the ball around and taking a risk or two, provided the conditions allow it.

“The weather is going to have an impact, that’s certain, but in the past we have always tried to play a pretty positive game and keep it fairly expansive,” he explained.

“But if it is too wet for that and we have to play a more conservative style, I’m confident that we have the forward pack to match it with them. 

“We’ve got some players that are worth keeping an eye on. Alain Miriallakis is a Belgian Test player. We have a good array of young guys who are very exciting, Charlie French, at prop, is another making a name for himself, too.

“Sireli Bainvalu recently trialled for the NSW sevens team. He’s just a genuine athlete.”

There is more on offer for players who stand out in this match than just a little bit of post-game recognition.

With the National Rugby Championship now an entrenched part of the calendar, good performances can lead to opportunities at a higher level.

“Pauli Tuala has been with the NSW Country Eagles for the last couple of seasons and will be in action this year for us as well. A couple of years ago we had Avusa Faelila who has now been picked up by Samoa,” Waterford explained.

“The avenues are there for the players who take their chance. Lots of Sydney clubs watch these matches and the NRC clubs get hold of footage from them as well.”

For Waterford, helping with the management side of things is a means of giving back to an outfit that gave him plenty of good memories.

“I played eight years with the Cockatoos, my wife [Mel] played three years with the Country Corellas and, in a way, it actually means more now, the idea of being able to help out and give a bit to them,” he said.

“As a player you have to be pretty selfish and worry only about what you’re doing, but in this role you can worry a bit about others and trying to help out a whole group.”

Kick-off today is at 3.15pm at Ashwood Park.

NSW COUNTRY: 1 Alex Wilson, 2  Steve Lamont, 3 Alain Miriallakis, 4  Aaron Loudon,  5 Niko Degei,  6 Michael Howell,  7 Pauli Tuala, 8 Joe Akkersdyk,  9 Adam McCormack, 10 Ben Damen,  11 Sireli Bainvalu, 12 Simon Newton, 13 Filisione Pauta, 14 Rhys Peters, 15 Rapine Mason,  16 Anthony Allport, 17 Ben Christensen, 18 Charlie French, 19 Chris Miller, 20 Harry Veitch, 21 Mahe Fangupo, 22 Jason Keelan,  23 Sioni Halanukonuka