Walcha’s Pat Keen will be one of several players wearing NSW Country colours for the first time when the Cockatoos launch their 2017 campaign against Sydney Suburban in Camden on Sunday.
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The Rams inside centre will start at 13 for the Cockatoos in their annual battle for the Maher/Ross Cup.
This year will be the 7th year the silverware has been contested, with each winning the Cup three times and the Cockatoos claiming the spoils last year.
The match squad 23, which also includes former St Alberts prop Charlie French, was finalised following a recent camp held in Singleton and features a lot of new faces.
“The coaches feel we’ve found a great balance with new additions with some experienced Cockatoos players returning, like Ben “Mr Cool” Damon at fullback and Illawarra backrower Paul Tuala,” Head coach Mat Thomas said.
“We will also look to have a massive impact off the bench from AJ Gilbert, who brings an unbelievable ability to read the game and seemingly appear everywhere around the field.
“It is evident that there is a new energy in the squad with a lots of new faces and we’ll look to transfer that energy into our style of play against Subbies.
“The team boasts a very strong tight five, which have great set piece ability, a dynamic back row and some genuine pace in the backs, so we will utilise these strengths and look to play accordingly.
“The Newcastle/ Hunter 8, 9 and 10 combination of Travis Brooke, Jono O’Toole and Dan Sherratt will provide a lot of direction and stability considering we have had only one training session.
“The opportunity for the boys to play in a genuine City vs NSW Country fixture is really exciting for the players and I know they truly relish.”
The coaching group says it’s exciting to see what the players will deliver against Subbies.
NSW COUNTRY COCKATOOS Vs NSW SUBURBAN:
1 . L / H Prop Charlie FRENCH Central West Forbes
2. Hooker Bleddyn GANT Mid North Coast Port Macquarie
3. T / H Prop Jesse ROCHE Illawarra Woonona Shamrocks
4. L / Lock Andy RAE Illawarra Wollongong University
5. R / Lock Nathan BRENNAN Newcastle Hunter Singleton
6. B / Flank Leighton COWLEY Illawarra Kiama
7. O / Flank Paul TUALA Illawarra Wollongong University
8. No 8 Travis BROOKE Newcastle Hunter Maitland
9. Scrumhalf Jono O’TOOLE Newcastle Hunter Maitland
10. Fly half Dane SHERRATT Newcastle Hunter Waratahs
11. L / Wing Sireli BAINIVALU Newcastle Hunter Hamilton
12. I / Centre Grant KNIGHT Far North Coast Balina
13. O / Centre Pat KEEN Central North Walcha
14. R / Wing Henry YUILL Illawarra Bowral
15. Fullback Adrian DELORE Newcastle Hunter Southern Beaches
16. Hooker Ethan MCINNES Central Coast Terrigal
17. Prop Andy PAPWORTH Illawarra Wollongong University
18. Prop Kevin MCNAMARA Central Coast Warnervale
19. Lock Dan RYAN Central West Parkes
20. B/Row Ben EGAN Western Plains Warren
21. Scrum Half Tom SAWDEN Illawarra Wollongong Vikings
22. Utility Back Jack ARTHUR New England Armidale
23. Utility Back Andrew WEST Mid North Coast Hastings Valley
