AS the Country Eagles head into their final round NRC clash against the Western Rams with a finals berth guaranteed, skipper Paddy Ryan has said that Tamworth is in the running to host the decider if the cards fall the right way.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Ryan was back in his old stomping ground on Wednesday to help out the juniors at a Camp Waratah sevens session and told The Leader that the Eagles are keen to bounce back from last weekend’s shock loss to traditional rivals QLD Country and take some momentum into the semifinal.
“Last week wasn’t great but it has been a great season for the Eagles,” Ryan said.
“I missed last season with injury but I feel like the competition has really improved.”
“The best bit for us is that the NSW based sides are going well and it is the Waratah players in those sides that are standing up and playing really well.”
While this weekends game against the Rams is at Concord Oval the skipper is hoping that Tamworth can play host the decider after impressing at the round match hosted at Tamworth Rugby Park earlier in the year.
“We really want the country grounds to be our home ground and Tamworth is definitely in the mix,” Ryan said.
“I was really honoured to be a part of this community when we played here last time.”
“It would be great to get the final here.”
The final will be played directly after the final Bledisloe Cup test in New Zealand, with both screened live and back to back on Fox Sports, the NRC getting the prime time 7.30pm slot.
There will be more than just pride and finals spots up for grabs between the Eagles and Rams on Saturday after the Waratahs announced a new trophy to be awarded every time the three NSW sides face off. The Benn Robinson Bell will be awarded to the winner of Saturday’s match, with the perpetual trophy named after the most capped Waratah player of all time.
“I am really proud to have the very first NSW Buildcorp NRC trophy named after me, and I would like to thank both the Waratahs and Green and Gold Rugby for the privilege,” Robinson said.
