When close mates Hunter McMurtrie and Lincoln Huia signed up for the Mudgee Dragons’ under 15s at the start of 2018, they probably didn’t think they’d be facing each other in a Group 10 Junior Rugby League major semi-final just six months later.
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However a turn of events caused the boys to leave the Dragons, with Hunter winding up at minor premiers Lithgow Storm and Lincoln joining the second-finishing Orange CYMS.
On Wednesday the pair stood side by side for a photo, knowing well and good they’d be locking horns for the first time at Blayney’s King George Oval on Saturday.
Huia spoke about the nerves he’s feeling ahead of the grand final qualifier, while McMurtrie’s taking a calmer approach.
“I’m nervous because if we lose this game we might have to play Bloomfield again,” Huia said.
“I’m more nervous playing against Hunter though because I’ve never versed him before and I want to beat him.”
“I’m the same,” McMurtrie added.
“I just want to beat him. I’m not really nervous, though.”
McMurtrie and Huia have had contrasting journeys so far and it wasn’t until three years ago that the latter made the switch to footy from soccer.
“My mum wanted me to play soccer because she didn’t want me to get hurt – like my older brothers,” Huia said.
“My dad asked me one day after the soccer season finished if I wanted to play footy and I’m glad I made the switch.”
Since then Huia has developed into a gun five-eighth, a fitting transition to make considering his favourite NRL player is prolific New Zealand pivot Shaun Johnson.
McMurtie, on the other hand, has been throwing the egg-shaped ball around since he was a young tacker, but took a year off in under 12s to undergo a leg extension surgery.
Since the procedure he has developed into a jack of all trades and is yet to find a permanent position at Lithgow, as he’s been floating from the centres, to the second row, to hooker.
McMurtie’s dad Darren, who’s good mates with Huia’s old man, said he just wants the two lads to have fun.
“I’m not sure how it’s going to pan out on Saturday,” he laughed.
“Tim (Huia) and I will just have to stand side by side and go for both kids.
“We just want both of them to have fun and whoever wins wins… as long as the boys enjoy it.”
“Hunter and I will always be mates and even if he does win, I’ll be happy for him,” Huia added.
While a return to Mudgee might be on the cards, Lincoln’s hoping to move to Sydney where he’s drawn attention from the Sydney Roosters and Penrith Panthers.
“Both clubs have been in contact with Mum and Dad,” Huia said.
“We’d like these boys to come back and play for Mudgee but we’ll see what happens,” Darren added.
Saturday’s major semi final between CYMS and Storm will determine one side of the Group 10 under-15s grand final, while the loser will face the winner of Panthers-Bloomfield for a second bite of the cherry.
Kick off is at 1.45pm.
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Jake Humphreys
Sports nut at the Central Western Daily.
Sports nut at the Central Western Daily.
