RUGBY UNION
OF the seven Blue Bulls named in the preliminary, 34-man NSW Country squad following the NSW Country Championships, three made the cut for the Cockatoos' representative campaign opener against the Australian under-20 side at Chatswood Oval on Saturday night.
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The Cockatoos final squad was named following last weekend's intensive training camp in Sydney, with Dubbo Kangaroos centre Filisione Pauta named at outside, while Forbes Platypi utility Mahe Fangupo was named on the interchange bench along with Cowra and Central West skipper Chris Miller.
Orange Emus duo Nick Hughes-Clapp and Josh Ellice-Flint, Trangie Tigers prop John Ellis and Parkes Boars fullback Riley Byrne all missed out, but are said to have impressed at the camp nonetheless.
Pauta and Fangupo have both starred in this arena before, while another 10 of their teammates have also previously played for NSW Country, 11 players selected will make their Cockatoos debuts.
"This year's debutants will join a core of experienced players who have gained selection, which will make things a little easier for the new coaching staff," NSW Country Rugby Union executive officer Terry Woodward said.
New Cockatoos coach Mat Thomas highlighted the strength of talent coming out of regional bases, particularly those new players who have progressed through the junior and colts programs.
"The players selected in the team, both new and old, all earned their spots following strong performances at the Country Championships and the training camp," Thomas said.
"It was pleasing to see that a number of the players selected in the Cockatoos had progressed through the junior and colts representative ranks, which showed there was a representative pathway via country rugby".
The Cockatoos and the Australian under-20s kick off at 5.30pm.
NSW COUNTRY COCKATOOS: 1 Charlie French (New England), 2 Steve Lamont (Newcastle-Hunter), 3 Iain Mirriallakis (Newcastle-Hunter), 4 Aaron Louden (Illawarra), 5 Niko Degei (Illawarra), 6 Michael Howell (Newcastle-Hunter), 7 Paul Tuala (Illawarra), 8 Joe Akkersdyk (Newcastle-Hunter), 9 Adam McCormack (Mid North Coast), 10 Ben Damen (Far North Coast), 11 Sireli Bainvalu (Newcastle-Hunter), 12 Simon Newton (Central North), 13 Filisione Pauta (Central West), 14 Rhys Peters (Illawarra), 15 Robert Richardson (Newcastle-Hunter); Interchange: 16 Anthony Allport (Illawarra), 17 Ben Christensen (Newcastle-Hunter), 18 Alex Wilson (Illawarra), 19 Chris Miller (Central West), 20 Harry Veitch (Newcastle-Hunter), 21 Mahe Fangupo (Central West), 22 Sioni Halanukonuka (Central North), 23 Rapine Mason (Newcastle-Hunter)
