PIRATES’ Toby Maslen and Quirindi’s Jock Thompson’s efforts for Northern Inland have earned them a NSW jersey.
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The pair will play for the NSW 15s against Queensland 15s at Cranbrook today.
The side was finalised after an intensive two-day camp in Sydney over Easter.
“It was full-on, but so much fun,” Maslen said.
He and Thompson were two of 23 boys selected from the Country-based Junior Gold teams to attend the camp.
Another 23 from the City sides made up the train-on squad.
They played several games over the weekend in between training sessions.
Maslen found out he’d made the squad to play Queensland after getting home from school on Tuesday.
“I was stoked,” Maslen said.
“I was so excited.
“It’s unbelievable.”
Shocked came into it too. His main goal this year was to make the Country side again.
He said it would be a privilege to pull on that blue NSW jersey and has already taken a lot away from the experience.
“I got lots of tips (last weekend), like getting lower in the rucks and not having to be everywhere,” he said.
He is expecting to play at open side but can also play hooker or number eight.
He had a run at both at the training camp, throwing into the lineouts during one of the group sessions, and a bit of number eight in one of the games, which was a good experience.
Thompson will figure in the centres for NSW.
The Bushrangers’ strength and conditioning coach Brady Walker will also be down there as part of the coaching set-up.
NSW go into the match looking for revenge but are bracing for a tough battle.
“I’m expecting they’ll be good,” Maslen said.
“They won last year as well so hopefully we can knock them off their pedestal.”