MOREE Boars’ electrifying fullback Brenton Cochrane, who starred in Saturday’s stunning 58-26 Group 19 win over Glen Innes Magpies, admits he was on the verge of giving away rugby league at the end of last season.
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After playing for his home team Wee Waa in the Group 4 competition as well as for Narrabri Blue Boars rugby team, he was toying with the idea of concentrating his efforts on the 15-a-side game when he got a phone call from the Boars.
Whatever the Boars offered him, it seemed small potatoes after his debut against Glen Innes on Saturday.
Cochrane’s display from the back earned rave reviews from all as well as three points from the referee in the Group 19 NBN Best and Fairest Award.
“I love it at the Boars,” Cochrane said after the game.
“I was almost giving league away until I got the call from Todd (Simpson).
“I know in my own mind that I have a fair bit to offer the side and it’s just about doing that the best that I can,” he said quietly in what just might be the understatement of the season.
The best he had on Saturday was a blazing two-try performance, many other long bursts into Magpie territory and an ability to bob up alongside hooker Stan Swan almost every time the No 9 looked for a runner.
“Having knowledgeable blokes up front, like Stan, makes my job easier,” Cochrane said.
However he does his job for the rest of the season, Group 19 fans are bound to be entertained watching this talented fullback.
The Boars play Guyra Spuds at home this Saturday while the Magpies tackle Moree Boomerangs in Moree as well.
Ashford Roosters chase a second successive win to start their new season with a home game against Tingha Tigers.
The Roosters won their opening round game 94-6 against re-formed Guyra while the Tingha Tigers lost 108-10 to an Armidale Rams who head to Varley Oval, Inverell to tackle the Hawks.
Inverell started their new season with a 44-10 win over a Warialda Wombats who have the second-round bye.
