Cockatoos Ring the Changes for Shield Opener
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Thursday, 3 May 2007
NSWRU Media Unit
NSW Country has put its faith in youth ahead of its opening Australian Rugby Shield encounter against Darwin on Saturday.
Country scrumhalf Paul Elliott in action against the Waratah Academy in 2007
Country scrumhalf Paul Elliott in action against the Waratah Academy in 2007
The new-look Cockatoos squad for the Darwin match features some 17 changes to the team that went down in the 2006 ARS semifinal, with 13 of those making their ARS debuts.
The other four - Shoalhaven's Leith Cooper, Newcastle University's Warwick Crosby, Bathurst's Matt Waterford and Avoca's Adam Winter - make their return to the Country side after a number of seasons.
Only props Matt MacGregor and Luke Troy, lock Nick Leseberg, scrumhalf Paul Elliott and utility back Gareth Williams will back up from last year.
"Whilst the squad is new look, there is plenty of experience and talent across the player roster," Cockatoo Coach Paul Verrell said.
"The nature of Country Rugby always sees players change from year to year, that's something we have learnt to live with.
"All players selected have earned their spot through their performances during the Country Championships and at the Country Camp."
"It shows the selection system Country has in place rewards the players who put in the performances on the field, regardless of which selector views the match."
In a positive for the development program undertaken by NSW Country Rugby in recent seasons, ten young players included on the 2006 Fiji Development Tour will line up against the Mosquitoes at Austar Rugby Park.
The NSW Country Cockatoos will play four matches in the 2007 Australian Rugby Shield, with the winner to be determined on a first past the post basis.
Following the Darwin match, the Cockatoos return home for back to back clashes against Adelaide in Gunnedah on May 12 and Melbourne in Cowra on May 19.
They wrap up their campaign with an away clash with Queensland Country in Mackay on June 2.
The Cockatoos are the only team to have won the Shield three times, their last victory coming in 2004.
The past two champions - the ACT & Southern NSW Vikings (2006) & Perth Gold (2005) - will not take part in 2007 due to their involvement in the Australian Rugby Championship.
NSW Country Cockatoo Squad v Darwin 1. Matt MacGregor (Parkes)
2. Mick Lee* (Newcastle Wanderers)
3. Luke Troy (Newcastle Waratahs)
4. Adam Winter (Avoca Beach)
5. Nick Leseberg (Merewether-Carlton)
6. Thuens Jacobs* (Coonamble)
7. Tim O'Brien* (Walgett)
8. Dan Kevill* (Newcastle Wanderers)
9. Paul Elliott (Dubbo Kangaroos)
10. Aaron Bolte* (Avoca Beach)
11. Leith Cooper (Shoalhaven)
12. Ritchie Steele* (Robb College)
13. Pat Barrett* (St. Alberts College)
14. Ben Sattler* (Newcastle Wanderers)
15. Warwick Crosby (Newcastle University)
16. Hugh Campbell* (Coffs Harbour)
17. Dean Rossit* (Wollongong University)
18. Matt Waterford (Bathurst)
19. Joe De Dassell* (Inverell)
20. Cameron Wyper* (Inverell)
21. Gareth Williams (Newcastle Wanderers)
22. Mitch Graham* (Avoca Beach)
*Making Australian Rugby Shield debut