Tamworth Rugby Union Sporting Club coach Peter Burke believes his side is well placed for a competitive season thanks to a number of new recruits.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
The Magpies fell agonisingly short of making last season's New England Rugby Union grand final, but Burke believes his squad has enough talent to challenge again this season.
"I think we have been able to hang on to about 90 per cent of our squad from last year," Burke told the Leader.
"Issac Roebuck is heading overseas and I think Dougal Elliot is hanging up the boots, but other than that, I don't think we have lost anyone.
"As well as that, we have had quite a new faces down at training, so it is shaping up to be an exciting season."
Read Also:
Burke said he was especially pleased to hang onto one of the team's key players.
"We thought at one stage we might have lost Darcy Barker because he was looking to find work outside of town," he said.
"However, luckily for us, Darcy found work here in Tamworth so he should able to play a key role for us again this season."
The Magpies will be one of several clubs fielding a side in the zone's new under-21 competition, which Burke said would add a new dimension to the season.
"I think it is fantastic our competition is offering up something different for young players," he said.
"It basically creates a new opportunity for young players, who may not be quite yet interested in playing open-age rugby, a chance to still play.
"I imagine the university-based sides will really make full use of it this season."
The Magpies will continue their pre-season preparations by taking part in the Armidale Blues annual pre-season knockout this weekend.
"It should be a really good chance for us to try people in a few different positions and see what works," Burke said.
"As I said, there are quite a few new people at the club this season, so it will be a good chance to see who fits in where.
"We've had really solid numbers at training over the last month or so and a lot of people are eager to impress.
"Joe Evans is one guy who has been training the house down, so far this pre-season.
"This tournament will be their first chance to do that, but in saying that, we are still eager to have fun and really enjoy having a run and the competition as a whole."
Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
