GLEN Innes product Alex Newsome is looking to cap off a breakthrough rugby season by claiming a maiden NRC title for the Country Eagles in familiar territory on Saturday night.
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The Eagles have been the surprise packets of the third NRC season, leading the competition all the way to host the grand final at Scully Park this weekend.
The Eagles side will contain a trio of home grown players with skipper Paddy Ryan and Gunnedah’s Angus Roberts joining Newsome in Tamworth, and the flying outside back believes that the country roots of the side have contributed to their success this year.
“The coaches have assembled a really strong and close squad this season,” Newsome said.
“And the city boys have really got around the country feel.”
After playing for the Wallabies U20 side last season the St Joseph’s old boy was only hoping to get some good game time in the NRC this season as he tries to take the leap from Shute Shield rugby with Easts to a Super rugby contract.
After scoring a try on debut and continuing to impress every week he soon found himself as a permanent fixture of the run on squad and hasn’t looked back, at one stage scoring three intercept tries in two games to showcase his attacking potential.
“I want to take that step from club to professional rugby and this is a great way to do it.”
“Playing outside Dave (Horwitz) and Kyle (Godwin) and with Kel (Andrew Kellaher) at the back has been great.”
“They have Super Rugby experience and I get plenty of quality ball from them.”
At the same time that the Eagles are packed with stars, so to are their opponents Perth Spirit, and the winger knows that the home side will have to be at their best to take the cookies at Scully Park.
“Perth are also a high quality team and being a one team town are almost a Super Rugby outfit,” Newsome said.
“They have a very physical pack that can dominate at the breakdown.”
“Johno Lance is back this week for them and they have players like Luke Morahan with Wallabies experience so it should be a good tough game.”
While not quite back in his home territory where he last played for the Glen Innes Elks in 2013, Tamworth is as close to home as professional rugby gets and the North West protege is excited to be a part of it.
“I have plenty of family and friends in Tamworth and Glen coming for the match. I have never played at Scully but it looks pretty good and we should get a big crowd.”
Gates open at 4pm with big screens showing the final Bledisloe Cup at 5.30pm before kick-off at 7.45pm.
