‘Very confident’: Cowboys coach Colin Speed reveals new signings and hopes for first season in top job

The Warwick Cowboy’s top coach has revealed his thoughts on new signings, including some big hitters from a major NRL side and an Australian 7s player, ahead of the Barrett Shield clash and the upcoming TRL season. Meet the new signings:

Cowboys coach Colin Speed with new signings Tui Oloapu and Nicolas Donghi (Photo: Warwick Cowboys)

The Warwick Cowboys have entered 2023 full of hope following a series of summer signings that the club is hoping will prove they’re strong contenders in the TRL competition this year.

As the club prepares for the pre-season Barrett Shield clash against 2022 premiership winners, Wattles Warriors, followed by the kick off to the TRL season.

The Cowboy’s new coach Colin Speed said he has settled into the club and is eager for the season to kick off.

Speed previously had coached Toowoomba sides the Clydesdales and Newtown Lions in the TRL.

The exciting new signings include a returning Cowboy Ben Sullivan, former Parramatta Eels u18 Tui Oloapu and Nicolas Donghi from the Australian Rugby 7s program.

Cowboys coach Colin Speed with new signings Tui Oloapu and Nicolas Donghi (Photo: Warwick Cowboys RLFC)

“I’m feeling very confident, we’ve made some big signings over the break, we’ve signed a lot of high calibre talent to fill some gaps in the team and everyone seems really keen,” Speed said.

“The new guys are ready, we’re talking about players who have played rugby union for Australia and gone through the NRL system, they’ve already started pre-season training.

“They know what they’ve got to do to prepare and be fit, and I hope that rubs off on some of the younger players too.”

Colin Speed signed Cowboys in 2022 (Photo: Warwick Cowboys RLFC)

Speed hopes the addition of some of the new signings can provide mentorship to the side and share their knowledge with the rest of the squad.

“You have to go in confident, we want to win the whole thing.”

Speed is keen to get stuck into his first season with the Cowboys, and hope it will bring more good luck to the side following the news in November that the club revealed it had received almost half a million dollars in funding to upgrade and repair their clubhouse and field.

Meet the new 2023 Cowboys below:

Former Parramatta Eels u20 Tui Oloapu has signed with the Warwick Cowboys (Photo: Warwick Cowboys RLFC)

Tui Oloapu

Oloapu was scouted by the Parramatta Eels when he was 15 and has spent five years sharpening his skills with the Western Sydney side before making the move to rugby, playing with the Western Bulldogs Rugby League Club.

Coach Speed said Oloapu will be an interesting player to watch and will give a lot of guidance and mentorship to some of the younger players.

Nicolas Donghi is another exciting Cowboys signing for the new year (Photo: Cowboys RLFC)

Nicolas Donghi

Also hailing from the world of rugby union, Donghi played with the Australian Rugby 7s and Queensland Reds 7s until 2020.

Donghi was part of the Melbourne Rebels program in 2017/18 season.

“He seems really keen and enthusiastic about joining the Cowboys, I’m excited to see how he fits with the boys on the field,” Speed said.

Ben Sullivan passes for the Cowboys at Father Ranger Oval. (Photo: File)

Ben Sullivan

Making his return to the Cowboys side in 2023 is hometown hero Ben Sullivan.

The former Q Cup player brings professional grade footy knowledge and experience in the system.

“I’m excited to see what he brings to the table and what knowledge he can share for the other boys,” Speed said.

Tate Brombal

Moving from the sunny north is forward Tate Brombal, who relocated to the Rose City from Ayr.

Brombal is a workhorse in the firsts and second row with the Ayr Roosters, who play in the Townsville league.

You’ll be able to watch the Cowboys in action when they clash with rivals and 2022 premiers Wattles Warriors in the annual Barrett Shield on March 25.