Yass give Peace a chance to lead Magpies in centenary season

Getting asked to be captain was already a big honour, but getting asked to do it in Yass's century season blew Willie Peace away.

It's the former Samoan international's third season with the club and he's hoping to draw on that Test experience to help the Magpies in their important year.

Former Samoan international Willie Peace has the honour of leading the Yass Magpies in their centenary season.Credit: Ben Southall

They face a tough start - up against reigning Canberra Raiders Cup premiers Woden Valley in their season opener at Phillip on Sunday.

But Peace, a centre, was looking forward to playing behind a bigger forward pack this season, with a large chunk of the Tuggeranong Bushrangers pack making the move to the Magpies.

They're bringing a hunger for success with them after losing the grand final in a thriller against the Rams.

"It's definitely a privilege, an honour, being such a significant year for the club," he said.

"I've been at the club for three years and I really can't see myself playing anywhere else. It's such a family oriented club.

"I have a big family here in Canberra and it really means a lot to me that they feel I'm able to lead the team around."

Peace will draw on his vast experience to do exactly that.

He came through the Cronulla under-20s, before returning to his native New Zealand to play for the Warriors in NSW Cup.

Plus he played for Samoa against Tonga in Hawaii in 2015.

"It was awesome, getting the call up to play, especially representing my country - I come from a strong Samoan background - that was a privilege, an experience, the highlight of my career really," Peace said.

"I couldn't believe it, I got to pull on that jersey and represent my family. That was cool."

The Magpies have a big year planned to celebrate their formation on March 31, 1919.

They'll do something at every home game, but the main events will be the centenary dinner and sportsman's lunch - featuring Andrew Johns - in July and June.

Yass life member Ross Luff has taken on the role as club historian and he's written a book, Tales from the Nest, which goes to the printers next week.

It's a club that's given birth to plenty of talent over the years, with Colin York their first international - representing Australia in 1928.

Billy Rayner played for Australia and Parramatta, while former Raiders winger Mark Bell also played for the Magpies.

But Yass almost missed their centenary year.

"We actually thought the club was formed in 1920 up until the start of last season," Luff said.

"I said, 'Right, well I better get started on this book' and when I started the research I found out we were a year out and I'd found the paperwork that we'd actually started in 1919.

"I sat on it for about two weeks wondering if I was going to tell anyone because I've cut myself off a year to write the book. Eventually I did come clean."

CANBERRA RAIDERS CUP ROUND ONE

Sunday: Goulburn Bulldogs v Queanbeyan Kangaroos at Goulburn, 2.15pm; Tuggeranong Bushrangers v West Belconnen Warriors at Greenway, 3pm; Woden Valley Rams v Yass Magpies at Phillip, 3pm; Queanbeyan Blues v Belconnen United Sharks at Seiffert Oval, 3pm.