One of the most prolific try-scorers in the Country Rugby League during the 2018 season will take on the challenge of Group 10 premier league in 2019, with the Oberon Tigers gaining the services of dynamic halfback Matt Ranse.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Ranse was inspirational during the Blackheath Blackcats’ New Era Cup campaign in 2018, scoring an incredible 26 tries in just 12 games on the way to a grand final victory over CSU.
Having previously spent the 2017 season with St Pat’s, Ranse is eager to get back into the more demanding Group 10 competition.
He also understands that scoring tries won’t come as easy as it did in the New Era Cup.
“God no,” Ranse said, on whether he would score as many tries as he did in 2018.
“There’s quite a few more stronger men in the comp that have been around Group 10 a lot longer than I have.
“This year will be a test to see where I’m at.”
During Ranse’s last stint in Group 10, he was left disappointed by the lack of players showing up to training.
Now he’s excited by the prospect of working under a former NRL player in Josh Starling, who demands a very high work ethic.
“This is what Josh Starling said to me, ‘If you don’t train, you don’t play’. He’s going to stick to those work ethics,” Ranse said.
“So I’ve been training for about three to four months now. Just little stuff, like sprints and getting prepared.”
“I’ve already learnt a lot off Josh, with his running techniques. I’ve changed it all up at training now, which is good.
“Honestly, it would be awesome to win a grand final with Oberon.”
Ranse, who grew up in the Blue Mountains and played junior rugby league with the Katoomba Devils before switching to Blackheath, has recently moved to the Central West.
He bagged two tries in the New Era Cup decider for Blackheath against CSU.
Kandos proved a favourite opposition for him in 2018, scoring four tries on the two occasions he played against the Waratahs.
He said he “hated” leaving Blackheath, but knew he had to play in Group 10 if he wanted to improve on his rugby league career.
“I hated leaving Blackheath but I told the president at the start of the year I was going to jump back into Group 10,” he said.
“I was hoping to get Mid-West pumping again, but it looks like it isn’t going to happen.”
After winning the 2018 New Era Cup premiership, Ranse said he’s unsure whether Blackheath will field a team in 2019.
“I spoke to a couple of my mates and they don’t seem to interested,” he said.
In 2019, Oberon will be looking to win its first premiership since 1975, the 12-4 win over Orange Ex-Services the last time the Tigers tasted success in the premier league.
DO YOU WANT MORE ORANGE AND REGIONAL SPORT?
- Receive our free newsletters delivered to your inbox, as well as breaking news alerts. Sign up below …