This week sees the start of the new Super Rugby season.
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Four of the region’s union exports have put in the hard yards during pre-season to feature in 2017.
In this special, we take a look at Quirindi’s Sam Carter, Tamworth duo Paddy Ryan and Mick Snowden, and Glen Innes flyer Alex Newsome.
Sam Carter (Brumbies)
Age: 27.
Super Rugby Games: 79 (all with the Brumbies).
This is a big season for Carter after his recent appointment as co-captain of the Brumbies.
Better known as ‘Sod’ in reference to being the son of former Wallaby David, Carter finished last year on Australia’s spring tour.
He looms as a pivotal performer for the side from the capital after the Brumbies lost their two most capped forwards in David Pocock and Stephen Moore.
Renowned for his work-ethic, Carter regularly leads ACT tackle counts and surely has eyes on adding to his 13 Test caps for the Wallabies.
Last year appeared as the time for the Brumbies to make a serious title challenge, but the absence of Pocock, Moore, Matt Toomua and Christian Lealiifano opens the door for fresh names to emerge under coach Stephen Larkham.
Paddy Ryan (Waratahs)
Age: 28.
Super Rugby Games: 77 (all with the Waratahs).
Tamworth prop Ryan finished last year with the Barbarians after captaining the NSW Country Eagles in the NRC.
Last season he changed sides in the scrum and played a more ball-carrying role for the Tahs.
One of the most seasoned players on the NSW roster, Ryan looks poised to play a greater role in the front-row following the retirement of Benn Robinson.
He made an impressive transition from tight-head to loose-head and is in the first season of a new two-year deal signed midway through last season.
The Waratahs have also lost hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau, former captain Dave Dennis and Kurtley Beale, but welcome the return of Sekope Kepu.
Expect the former Pirates ace to have a strong year as the Tahs look to regain their mantle as Australia’s premier side after finishing three points adrift of the Brumbies last season, a result which saw the club miss the finals.
Mick Snowden (Rebels).
Age: 29.
Super Rugby Games: 7 (5 with the Force, 2 with the Rebels).
Tamworth halfback Mick Snowden is looking to make the most of his second Super Rugby chance with the Melbourne Rebels.
The playmaker featured in five games for Western Force in 2013, all from the bench, and has found his chances in the Victorian capital limited with Nic Stirzaker and Ben Meehan in front of him in the pecking order.
Snowden made two Super Rugby appearances last year for Tony McGahan’s side, again off the bench.
But the Pirates product is coming off a campaign where he was a regular starter for Melbourne Rising in the NRC.
His season with the Rising was highlighted by scoring a try in front of his home fans in Tamworth last September against NSW Country.
A hard-working player with a good pass on him, Snowden is just waiting for an opportunity to show his wares at Super Rugby level.
Alex Newsome (Force)
Age: 21.
Super Rugby Games: 0.
Newsome earned a reputation as the intercept king with the NSW Country Eagles in the NRC.
The winger plucked two in his first game and catapulted the Glen Innes flyer into a Super Rugby chance with the Force, signing a one-year deal in January.
Capable of playing in the centres, the Australian under-20 representative boasts quite a good finishing ability and will help add scoring punch to the club’s outside backs.
Newsome has looked impressive in the Global Rugby Tens and the Western Australian-based side’s trial matches.
He will be looking to continue his meteoric rise and play a part as the Force looks to climb from the cellar this season.
