Lachlan Buckton's good form for CSU earns him a senior Central West debut

The hard-charging, red-headed CSU lock is now heading to Tamworth where the Blue Bulls will be attempting to retain the Caldwell Cup they won at the most recent addition of the New South Wales Country Rugby Union Country Championships.

Buckton has previously represented Central West, in just his second season of playing rugby union in 2018 he got the nod to play in the colts outfit.

He did well enough to gain New South Wales Country selection that year as well, an experience which he thinks will serve him well this weekend.

"It makes it a bit more comfortable, but under 20s is a bit different to the opens. But yeah having played that then coming into first grade, it certainly makes it a bit more comfortable," he said.

However, even with that past representative experience, Buckton had not expected to form part of the senior Blue Bulls squad this season.

It's because he plays in the lower tier New Holland Cup rather than Central West's top flight Blowes Cup.

But Central West coach Dean Oxley recruited from all competitions - CSU prop Lemarn Ma'a also getting the call up - in an attempt to assemble the strongest squad possible.

"I wasn't really ready for it, I think they had a few players out with injury and I got asked if I wanted to have a run and train, so yeah, I was a bit surprised," Buckton said.

"I guess not playing in that team which won it last time, I guess I'm a bit nervous and there's a bit of pressure. But the boys that are in the team know what they're doing so it's more exciting than nerves."

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Though not in the top tier, Buckton has undoubtedly been in good touch for a CSU side which sits second on the New Holland ladder.

"The CSU team as a whole is playing really well, we've got a few good new players. You're own performance comes from the boys you are playing with, it's just working well this year," he said

"It's good to be playing with a forward pack that has a bit of size and is doing well."

Buckton is keen to learn all he can from Oxley and his team-mates this weekend.

"He's a good coach who knows what he's doing, I'm keen to see what he has to say and how it helps me for the rest of the season," he said.

"It will be good to play with some of the blokes who play in the Blowes, it will be very different to the comp I'm used to playing in. I think my job will be about a bit of impact, a bit of fresh energy from the bench."

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