IN five games Orange’s Adam Perri, Tom Fisher, and Logan Brockmann, could find themselves in Australian jerseys - but they’re trying not to think about that.
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The trio will represent NSW Country Colts at this weekend’s Southern States Championships in Adelaide, a competition used as a part of the selection process for the Australian under 20 team to contest the World Rugby Under 20 World Championship in June.
“I’m not sure how realistic that is, but I think it’s definitely in the back of our mind,” Fisher, 18, said.
“It is, but I think for us it’s more about just having a crack down there and seeing how we go,” Brockmann, 19, added.
“I’m not thinking about that. This is just something different, and we get to see what the next level is like,” Perri, 19, said.
Both Perri and Fisher were a part of Central West’s 2014 NSW Country Colts Championship winning team, but both missed selection in the Cockatoos Colts final squad last year.
Since then, selectors have kept a watchful eye on Perri, who led Orange Emus to a grand final appearance in the 2014 Blowes Clothing Cup, and Fisher, who starred for in Orange City’s premiership winning colts team, while also making his mark on the top grade.
Brockmann, who wasn’t a part of the Baby Bulls side, was a rock in Lions’ colts front row, and also impressed in the top grade.
All three were named in the 25-man preliminary squad - to be revised after the Southern States Championship, and again after the 2015 NSW Country Colts Championships - after a final trial in Maitland on October 10.
“This is the first time I’ve ever made a representative team, it’s nice to get noticed,” Brockmann said.
“I was a bit disappointed more of our Central West side didn’t get picked last year,” Perri said.
“Not me personally, but I thought there was plenty of guys who were a real shout. So it’s good to see a few guys get picked this year, and to get noticed personally.”
Since being named, all three impressed in the Cockatoos Colts trial against the NSW Waratahs under 20 team, which the latter won 46-26.
“We shocked a few people in that game,” Brockmann said.
“Last year they got beaten by over 100 points, so the coaches are pretty confident now,” Fisher added.
“We were in front at half-time too, our fitness just got us,” Perri said.
Now, with that trial under NSW Country’s belt the Cockatoos Colts will take on Western Force 20s, South Australia and Queensland Country at this weekend’s championships.
From there, a Southern States representative team is named to compete in a tri-series from which the Australia under 20 team is selected.
“It’s just about winning the championships for me, and proving ourselves,” Perri said.
“I’m just going down there to improve my rugby, and hopefully win it,” Brockmann said.
“Me too, just learn a bit more, see what I can improve on, and take that back to Orange City,” Fisher added.
