Men’s Country Championship rugby league final: Riverina Bulls vs Newcastle Rebels in Woy Woy
The stage is set for a massive Country Championships grand final between Riverina and Newcastle, and we look at the 10 key players set to stamp their authority on the country’s biggest stage.
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THE stage is set for an intense Country Championships final on Saturday.
The Riverina Bulls are ready to take on the Newcastle Rebels with bragging rights as the best regional rugby league centre on the line.
We celebrate the big clash by looking at the 10 players set to have the biggest influence on the fixture this weekend.
LUKE HUTH (NEWCASTLE)
You could argue he is the most credentialed player in this competition.
A former Australian Schoolboys and Knights NSW Cup player of the year, the classy hooker is an influential figure in the Newcastle region.
Given the green light to play after last week’s send off, he’ll be in for a big show.
LATRELL SIEGWALT (RIVERINA)
There must be something about the name Latrell and shining at fullback.
Siegwalt has been exceptional so far for the Bulls, after spending the pre-season with St George Illawarra.
Caught the eye of scouts above, and is very well suited at this level.
CHAD O’DONNELL AND SAMUEL CLUNE (NEWCASTLE)
The halves pairing of the Newcastle Rebels bring a mix of experience and big game ability.
O’Donnell has previous experience with the NSW Pioneers and his previous stints at Ron Massey Cup level put him in good stead here.
Clune has been chosen to wear the NSW Country jersey before, with the former Cutter moving from fullback into the halves.
The two combine well to steer a solid forward pack around, and work their magic off the back of them.
KYLE MCCARTHY (RIVERINA)
Has proven to be the ‘Mr Fix It’ for the Bulls so far.
McCarthy has been called on to play a utility role throughout the tournament, with stints at five-eighth, hooker and now halfback.
Coach Aaron Gorrell has been full of praise for how he has gone above and beyond for this team.
ZANE BIJORAC (RIVERINA)
A new face in the region but one that will have a big impact if given early ball and the chance to shine.
A former Rabbitohs squad member, Bijorac scored two tries for the Young Cherrypickers last week and has received a call-up in what is a huge boost to the Bulls’ chances.
Can change the game.
JAYDEN BUTTERFIELD AND JAMES TAYLOR (NEWCASTLE)
The engine room of the Rebels, Butterfield and Taylor make up a formidable front row that has made big inroads so far this year.
Jayden continues the surname made famous by Knights legend Tony, with his barnstorming hit ups a big part of the success of the Rebels so far.
Taylor was a part of the U20s Knights set up previously and adds plenty of muscle to the side.
JOSH AYERS (RIVERINA)
Has been under the tutelage of Gorrell for a while now, and has been a key figure in a forward pack that has really stood up for the Bulls.
In his 30s but still causes havoc out on an edge, a real leader among this team that can turn a game if given the chance.
NATHAN ROSE (RIVERINA)
Comes back into the side after being unavailable in the semi final, Rose will partner McCarthy in the halves.
Things worked out and they were able to get into the final, with the Wagga Kangaroos captain-coach getting the chance to show his leadership abilities with this talented side.
NEWCASTLE PRIMED TO DEFEND REGION
VICTORY in Saturday’s Country Championships grand final would mean the world for the Newcastle Rebels.
Boasting one of the strongest league’s in the state, the Hunter is determined to show why they are held in such regard when they take on the Riverina Bulls at Woy Woy.
“I’m happy for the boys to get there. They’ve worked really hard and every player has made themselves available,” coach Adam Bettridge said.
“It’s the biggest stage in country rugby league and the format is the best possible one, so I’m stoked for them.”
The Rebels have faced one of the tougher roads to get to this point, playing three games already to the Bulls’ two.
They’ve also had to go through the rigours of travel, with a pair of those games down in Wollongong.
Bettridge praised the way his team has been able to respond to the challenges, with the right blend of youth and experience keeping them in good stead.
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“We have some kids that are 21 and old (Samuel) Clune who is 31 and the oldest in our side,” he said.
“We know the importance of rugby league in our town and we believe the Denton Cup is one of the strongest in NSW.
“There are a lot of successful footballers in our side who come from strong clubs and are giving it their all (for the Rebels).
“Having that extra game and travel has given us more time to play together and get those combos going.”
As for this weekend, Newcastle has been given a massive boost with former Knights NSW Cup player Luke Huth given the green light to play after being sent off in last week’s 46-18 win over the Western Rams.
“We were a bit shocked (with the send off), but thankfully he’s playing this weekend,” Bettridge said.
“To have a player of his quality come into the comp and throw his hand up to play, it’s the type of culture we want.”
RIVERINA BULLS OVERCOME HURDLES
THE Riverina has long been a rugby league heartland, and this weekend gives them a special chance to earn bragging rights
The Riverina Bulls take their spot in this weekend’s Men’s Country Championships final in Woy Woy, lining up against the might of the Newcastle Rebels.
Led by former St George Illawarra and Brisbane Broncos hooker Aaron Gorrell, the Bulls have overcome their fair share of adversity to advance to the deciding game, with their coach admiring the work they’ve put in to get this far.
“It’s a real testament to the efforts of the boys,” Gorrell said.
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“It’s early in the season and they’ve all had different things on, plus for some it takes up to four and a half hours to get to training.
“We haven’t had the luxury of training midweek, only on Sunday mornings, which takes away from family time, so it’s been a massive commitment.
“You like seeing that effort rewarded and they’re all there for the right reasons.”
That adversity was on full display last weekend as they overcame the soaring heat and losing their halfback Derek Hay to a broken jaw.
“We got to an early lead then a few injuries hit,” he said.
“We more or less had to hold on with just one interchange left for the last 20 minutes in 36 degree heat.
“Lesser teams would’ve rolled over, but they dug in and kept turning up for each other. Nobody in the side thinks they’re above each other.”
Gorrell praised the pride his players have shown in representing their region, with one of the best players to ever come out of Temora giving them some words of wisdom prior to the semi.
“We’ve had some great players come from the area, and we had Trent Barrett come and have a chat to the boys before last week’s game,” he said.
“He spoke about how he played for Riverina as a kid and would look up to the seniors, and how the blokes in this side will have the same influence on the current juniors.
“It was a powerful message and you could see them taking it in.”
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