South Australia set to host rugby league’s Affiliated States National Championships
PROGRESS will be the aim when SA takes to the field for the Affiliated States Rugby League National Championships in Adelaide this weekend.
PROGRESS will be the aim when South Australia takes to the field for the Affiliated States Rugby League National Championships in Adelaide this weekend.
The Croweaters’ men’s, under-18 and women’s tag sides will clash with Victoria, Western Australia and Northern Territory over three days of action at Hindmarsh Stadium.
Men’s centre Warren Moore was confident his side could close the gap on rival states after struggling to compete in recent campaigns.
“In previous years we’ve probably been competitive in half to three-quarters of matches but then fitness has let us down,” said Moore, who will be playing in his sixth nationals.
“Our goal is to compete for 80 minutes in every game.”
SA’s men’s side failed to win a match last year at the championships, which feature states and territories outside of traditional league powerhouses NSW and Queensland.
Moore said a new breed of young talent such as pacy Central District’s half Dane Keppa and Eels full back Junior Fono had the home side dreaming of a victory.
“It’s probably the fittest (state) team I’ve played in for a while and we’ve got some of the most skilful players I’ve every played with,” the 33-year-old Henley Raiders player said.
“We’ve got a lot of young guys so hopefully they can do a lot of the work and help us older guys out.”
Women’s winger Dash Pagett said her side was also confident of a better showing after a renewed focus and more professional approach to training and preparation.
“The whole environment around the team and the attitude of the players is a lot better this year,” the South Adelaide Bulldogs winger said.
“We’ve been a bit of a pushover in recent years, but we’re really coming together now and taking some steps in the right direction.”
The women’s competition is played under modified rules where tackles are replaced by removing tags from the shorts of opposition players.
SA’s under-18 side will also look for progress under the leadership of captain and Eels front rower Chris Dawson.
Matches begin tomorrow at 9.30am and continue until Sunday at 3.30pm.