PARLIAMENT TO PLAYING FIELD: Nationals members Dubbo MP Troy Grant, left, and MLC Niall Blair took to the field against Queensland in the inaugural Young Nationals Invitational XV game. Photo: Geoff O’Neill 300912GOE02
THEY might be on the same side of politics, but yesterday saw the NSW Young Nationals and Queensland Young LNP face off against each other in the inaugural Young Nationals Invitational XV game.
NSW came away with the Ian Sinclair Cup after a try in the first two minutes put them on a roll to win 29-22 at the Tamworth Rugby Club.
Young Nationals chairwoman Felicity Walker said the idea to pitch the two state groups against each other on the field came about to help everyone get to know their state counterparts better and to bring a bit more fun into politics.
The NSW team included Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson, Dubbo MP Troy Grant and MLC Niall Blair.
Adam Penman, George Rixon, Callum McIntosh and Cam Gall were among the local players who took to the field for NSW.
The Ian Sinclair Cup was named after a former New England Nationals MP who loved his rugby and coached in Tamworth.
There are plans to make the game an annual event, with the 2013 match likely to be played in Queensland.