It’s not often as an amateur rugby player you can say you’ve played alongside a former Wallaby, and under the guidance of some of the legends of the game. But Walcha star Simon Newton will soon be able to.
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The Rams five-eighth isn’t packing away the footy boots just yet and will next month head to Argentina via New Zealand with the Australian Stockman Rugby Union side.
It will be a once in a lifetime trip with former Wallaby prop Guy Shepherdson coming out of rugby retirement for the tour, and luminaries such as Tom Lawton, Mark Ella and Chris Roche involved in coaching roles.
There are also rumours that they could face a couple of former All Blacks.
“Supposedly we play a couple of teams with ex-All Blacks,” Newton said.
They’ll play two games in New Zealand and three in Argentina.
“To go over to New Zealand and play over there will be great,” he said.
“At the moment they are the epitome of rugby.”
Argentina too will be a great experience.
The tour will depart on October 21 and also feature Tamworth brothers Lachlan and Angus Windred, Rowena’s Jack Radford and Boomi’s Tomasi Vunivali.
Newton was admittedly unaware of the touring team until he got a phone call asking was he interested.
“When the opportunity arose to go and play for a team full of Country players, I thought there’s not many opportunities you get like that towards the end of your career,” he said.
That was for him one of the main appeals – being involved with a team “full of Country blokes”.
“To be honest Country rugby is strong, you can see that by the crowd that showed up today,” he said.
He was referring to the Central North grand final, where his Rams side were heart-breakingly beaten by defending champions Pirates.
The Rams’ first shot at the premiership since 2012, Newton was instrumental in them reaching the decider.
Possessing a superb passing game, great vision and tactical nous, and an astute kicking game, he had an outstanding season as the linchpin of what was widely-regarded as the best backline in the competition, and duly named the competition’s best and fairest.
Much to his surprise.
“It was a bit unexpected.
“There’s a lot of quality players in the Central North competition,” he said.
Never far away from the points, he polled 16 to finish three clear of Narrabri’s Matt McDonnell and Rams team-mate Henry King.
The first time he has won the award, in the immediate aftermath of the Rams’ one-point loss it was bitter sweet.
It will though be a reminder of one of the most enjoyable seasons he’s had.
“The club is the strongest it has ever been and there’s a good camaraderie between the players,” he said.
There was a sense of optimism about the Rams’ prospects heading into the season with the return of a couple of older heads and a couple of handy pick-ups, and justly so it proved.