February 17, 2016
Two South Burnett junior rugby league rep teams will be travelling to Tara this weekend to defend the honour of South Burnett junior rugby league, and get some valuable experience under their belts at the same time.
The two teams – an U13s and an U14s side – are made up of players from all the South Burnett’s junior rugby league teams: Nanango Stags, Kingaroy Red Ants, Wondai Wolves, Murgon Mustangs and Cherbourg Hornets.
Ever since school resumed, they have been training each week at different club grounds, getting used to each others’ playing environments and building links between teammates that could well last a lifetime.
Coach Peter Cavanough said he was very proud of the way the young players were approaching their training.
Both teams were put together several months ago.
Local clubs were asked to nominate potential reps, then selectors watched them in action during last year’s competition.
In all, 22 were chosen for each team, from which 17 players will be drawn for each match.
Coach Cavanough said some people thought last year’s squads hadn’t performed at the top of their game in the 47th Battalion competition.
Post-game analysis suggested the cause was a lack of experience playing against unfamiliar sides.
So this year a new strategy has been developed.
The young players will travel by bus to Tara this Saturday to play Western Division; and a few weeks later, they’ll repeat the exercise at Highfields, where they’ll take on a Darling Downs side.
The aim of both matches is to give the reps practical, in-the-field experience playing against opponents whose strengths and weaknesses are unknown and have to be worked out as game play progresses.
“We think the extra experience will help them a lot,” Peter said.
This year’s 47th Battalion competition will be held in Gayndah over the Anzac Day weekend.
