Darling Downs rugby players make their mark for Queensland Country sides at Santos Festival of Rugby

REP STARS: We run the rule over every Darling Downs rugby player who ran out for Queensland Country at the Santos Festival of Rugby in Narrabri. Find out who made their mark here.

RUGBY: Downs Rugby’s top talent proved they can match it with country Australia’s elite at the weekend.

Queensland Country’s senior representative squads had a distinct Downs Rugby ‘flavour’ with 13 players from the Darling Downs lining up for the Heelers (men) and Orchids (women) at the Santos Festival of Rugby in Narrabri, NSW.

It was a mixed weekend for the Queensland representative sides with the Heelers securing an impressive 22-12 win over the Cockatoos and the Orchids falling 21-5 to the Corellas.

Toowoomba’s Rob Johnston coached the Heelers to victory.

“It was one of the best country rugby matches I have ever seen or been a part of,” Johnston said.

“The intensity from the first whistle to the last was astounding and I’m really proud of the performance from all the boys.

“We basically had one 90 minute (training) session before the game and there was a lot of other factors to overcome – eight hours of travel the day before the game, running out at 7pm and going up against a very good side – but we put all that aside and got the job done.

“We sent them out there with a very simple plan, but at the same time it gave them (the players) the confidence to back themselves.

“We wanted to play an attacking brand of football and put scoreboard pressure on them, which we did.”

With the captain’s armband on, Rangers veteran John Vinson played a leading hand in the Heelers win with two tries.

Johnston also had high praise for the side’s other Downs Rugby players.

Will Wigan: “Will was fantastic in his first game for the Heelers. His lineout throws were great and his work rate was fantastic.”

Tom Taylor scores a try for Rangers. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Tom Taylor: “Called into the starting side for his first game, he got through a tonne of work in the second row and made some important, big tackles in defence.”

Peter Welsh: “Played 70 of the 80 minutes and was one of the team’s best in the forward pack.”

John Vinson, captain for Rangers. Picture: Nev Madsen.

John Vinson: “Scored two tries which was a massive part of the win. Captained the side and lead from the front right throughout the game from the first minute to the last.”

Tom Vinson: “Started at halfback and set up the first try with some great skill. A real general in the middle of the park.”

Michael Debney: “Came off the bench at breakaway and played extremely well. Helped us close out the game with real enthusiasm.”

Will Jackson for Toowoomba Bears. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Will Jackson: “Produced one of the best defensive performances I have ever seen from him. Made some important try saving tackles at fullback and was generally very impressive.”

Tom Sayer: “Played the last 30 minutes of the game and was really good for us. He was a late call up and fit straight into the team.”

Capitalising on key moments proved to be difference in senior women’s game.

Unfortunately, after trailing 6-5 at halftime, the Orchids missed their chances and the NSW nailed their.

“I thought we started the game really well,” Queensland Orchids coach Onehunga Mata’uiau said.

“Unfortunately in the second half we had a number of chances we didn’t capitalise on and NSW made the most of theirs.

“I’m really proud of our performance though.

“A lot of the girls had to make some major adjustments, having played mostly 7-a-side and 10-a-side rugby but they performed well.

“We’ve taken away a lot from this match.”

Renee Donpon: “Renee is the full package. She has a massive engine and a lot of skill. I imagine a lot of Super W clubs are keeping an eye on her.”

Lily Black (right) in action for Bears. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Lily Black: “She is only still young but Lily is a true leader, captaining the side for the third straight year. She has all the skills, is generally a terrific person, works hard and is well respected.”

Tess Littleton

Tess Littleton: “Her skill level at halfback is amazing and the more exposure she gets to this level of rugby the better she will get.”

Hannah Jakins (left) for Roma and Taylor Logan for Bears. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Hannah Jakins: “A great footballer with really good skills. She shows real improvement with every game she plays and has a controls the game well when she is on the field.

Jade Hubbard: “We put her on the wing for the first time and she played exceptionally. Has speed to burn and is a great old head who does a fantastic job of helping young players develop.”

Mata’uiau also signalled out Downs Rugby official Rick Lingard with some high praise.

Lingard, who has worked extensively to develop women’s rugby on the Darling Downs, managed the senior squads.

“Rick has done a terrific job at Downs Rugby,” he said.

“His passion and dedication makes my job a whole lot easier – it means I can just focus on coaching.

“Downs Rugby has a lot of great people and we need more like them to help the game develop.”