TRL All Stars name Warwick players ahead of Emus clash

REGIONAL players make up bulk of All Star team after strong season performance.

TRL ALL STARS: Cowboys players Josh Cruice, Mitch Watson, Craig Donn and Joe Fuimaono, as well as Jarred Bradfield, Ben and Harry Sullivan (not pictured) will play for the TRL All Stars against SW Emus.

RUGBY LEAUGE: A disappointing loss in last year’s grand final hasn’t stopped Warwick Cowboys’ players from reaping representative honours, being named in the TRL All Stars team.

Seven Cowboys were named in the 36-man squad to play the South West Emus next weekend. They are Craig Donn, Mitch Watson, Joe Fuimaono, Harry Sullivan, Josh Cruice, Ben Sullivan and Jarred Bradfield.

Not surprised by the number of players selected, Cowboys head coach Matt Grew said it was a “reflection on their season and how well they went”.

“We were one of the top sides in the comp last year and you’re only a top side because of the quality of players that you’ve got,” he said.

“It’s really good to see their efforts last year get recognised by selection this year.

“It was also good to see there were a few blokes that hadn’t been considered for selection in prior seasons that have been selected this year without any pushing from us.”

With several players returning to the side for a second year, Cowboys second rower Josh Cruice is thankful to be selected in the team.

“I’m happy for the opportunity – I’d like to go and make the Clydesdale side for the 47th Battalion,” he said.

“It was a little surprising, I thought I probably could have been in there the last few years but it’s good to get a start.

“It’s pretty competitive, especially the blokes coming from the top five teams.”

While seven Cowboys were named in the side, the team was predominantly made up of players from regional teams, with 20 of the 36 players hailing from the country.

“It’s a good reflection on how the country clubs go in the competition these days,” Grew said.

“A few years ago, it was predominantly Toowoomba blokes that got the look in and country blokes didn’t get their players looked at as much as they should have.

“But it’s good to see the amount of country club players in that side as well as the Emus team.”

Played in a similar fashion to State of Origin, Grew is expecting a heated competition to start the 2020 season.

“It’s great for the game, it’s a really good concept and we’re really happy to be a part of it and have players a part of the weekend,” he said.

“It’ll be a cracker – it’s one of the best games of the year. You’ll see in years gone by they’ve always been close. There’s never been blow outs, usually just two or four points in it.

“It’s very close and there’s always a lot of feeling in the game, which is good, but in saying that, once it’s done players return back to their clubs and manage to get on with business.”

Originally published as