Andrew Collins headed to last weekend’s Country Championships in Warren with a couple of aspirations.
One was to lead the North West Bushrangers to the Richardson Shield.
That didn’t quite come to fruition but the Pirates prop is a step closer to realising his other – a NSW Country jersey – after being named in the Cockatoos training squad.
”I wanted it,” Collins said.
It is the only Country jersey he hasn’t worn, having played Country juniors and Country schoolboys, and for the Country Eagles.
He said the weekend was a bit different juggling playing with the coaching duties but was pretty happy with how he performed.
“It helped having a good forward pack,” Collins said.
He was also happy to see Bushrangers back Will Morley make the Colts training squad, the 18-year old impressing in senior company.
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Collins is joined in the Cockatoos squad by Walcha’s Pat Keen and Ed Cordingley.
Both played for Mid North Coast on the weekend teaming up in the centres.
Keen was part of the Cockatoos program last season.
The squad will assemble in Singleton in a few weeks for a training camp.
Inverell trio Ashlee Knight, Rhiannon Byers and Shane Povey-Hyatt, and Robb College’s Teagan Miller were meanwhile named in the women’s 7s merit squad.
