Headlined by NSW Country Cockatoos Mahe Fangupo and Nick Hughes-Clapp, Central West coaches welcomed a 37-strong group to the Blue Bulls’ initial open training session at Molong’s Dr Ross Memorial Recreation Ground on Sunday afternoon.
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The Forbes halfback and Emus second-rower, respectively, were among a contingent of last year’s Richardson Shield-winning Blue Bulls squad which turned out at the trial, which kicked off Central West’s preparation for this year's Caldwell Cup campaign.
The Blue Bulls earned promotion to the top tier thanks to last year’s tier two win.
Incumbent Blue Bulls Bathurst Bulldogs No.8 Peter Fitzsimmons, Molong Magpies five-eighth Will Oldham, Emus centre Zac White, Dubbo Kangaroos’ Anthony Golding and Emus hooker Tom Goolagong all turned out too, signalling their intentions to try and help Central West back to the top of NSW Country.
However, assistant coach Graydon Staniforth said it was just as, if not more, encouraging to see a number of new faces sticking their hands up for selection.
Reigning Blowes Clothing Cup player of the year Sam Schmidt, from Mudgee, was among that group, as was fellow Wombat Adam Rayner and gun Emus pair AJ Sykes and Carter Hirini.
“We wanted what I guess you’d call the cream of the crop around the Central West and it looks like we’re going to get that,” assistant coach Graydon Staniforth said.
“The quality was obviously there in the 37 we had and a number of other guys we’d identified have indicated they’re committed, but couldn’t get there on Sunday.”
Forbes hooker Jarrod Hall was among those who couldn’t front, along with the likes of Bulldogs prop Chris Plunkett, another incumbent Cockatoo in Dubbo’s Filisione Pauta and former NSW Country gun Dan Ryan.
The turn out bodes well leading into Central West’s trial against the NSW Waratahs’ under-20 side in Mudgee on Saturday. That side will include former Kinross Wolaroi School first XV skipper Cody Walker, now playing at Eastern Suburbs.
“We’ll be taking 30 over there but it won’t be the final squad we take to the NSW Country Championship. Everyone will get a chance to impress, we’re looking forward to seeing who stands up,” Staniforth said.
“They’ll be very tough, Gen Blue train together far more often than we do so they will be very well drilled. In that respect the result’s not what we’re really looking at, we want to see how the guys gel together and who performs under pressure.
“It’ll be a really good indicator for us, but the visit will also be very handy for the coaches. We’ll be able to learn plenty from the Waratahs’ coaching unit too.”
Staniforth said he, head coach Dean Oxley and assistant Dick Leach are all confident they’ll be able to pull together a final squad of Caldwell Cup-winning quality.
“If everyone who indicates they’re committed to playing does so, then yes, without a doubt,” Staniforth said.
“We think with this trial and the other two we have planned, we’ll be able to get a really good look at everyone. We’re certain we’ll be taking a squad which can win the Caldwell Cup.”
Central West’s trial against NSW Gen Blue acts as a curtain-raiser to the Waratahs’ Super Rugby practice game against the ACT Brumbies at Glen Willow.
That will be followed by trials against Central Coast and Canberra Royals over the next two months.
The Central West colts will also trial on Saturday at Mudgee, they’ll have a possibles versus probables fixture at Jubilee Oval.