Rugby Union: Quirindi to host Robb College in trial match

Moving to the region before the 2019 season for work (he looks after the Queensland logistics for Graincorp), Koerstz had a few mates at Quirindi so he thought he'd go and check things out there.

"I went to one session had about eight steak sangas and couldn't leave," he joked.

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Unfortunately, his time on the field was cut short with the half-back injuring his ankle playing with Central North at the Country Championships.

However, he jumped in to do a bit of coaching, helping out with the backs.

As things have turned out, it was a bit of an apprenticeship with Koerstz putting his hand up to take on the coaching reins for 2021 after Col McKenzie opted to not go around again.

It is something he did a bit of during his playing days at Sydney Uni, coaching the backs for the second grade side for a season and later the firsts' colts.

It was a great environment to develop his skills with there arguably no bigger powerhouse in NSW club rugby than Sydney Uni.

"I was really lucky that the general manager there, I played under him when I was playing colts, he sort of said are you interested in having a crack and helping out with some coaching," Koerstz said.

"It was awesome, a really good way to get a feel for it."

He has since watched several of his former charges graduate to Super Rugby and/or Australian 20s.

Koerstz believes there is just as much talent "out here".

The problem is, Koerstz said, they tend to "fall through the cracks".

"That's whats exciting about getting back to country rugby. You get that social side of it, but you're also hopefully able to mentor some young guys into some rep honours and really show what they can do," he said.

He gave Brodie Nankivell as an example.

He was the Lions rookie of the year two years ago when playing as a 17-year-old and he was a star for the Quirindi 18s last year.

Koerstz believes has a bright future in the game.

The talent coming through from the 18s is one of things that Koestz is excited about at Quirindi.

"There's some real standouts in that side that will bring a lot of excitement to the first grade squad," he said.

They will compliment a "good core" group of familiar faces - as well as a few new faces - that have moved to the area.

"We've got a few big forwards in, which will be nice, and as a half-back it's nice to play behind a bit of size," he quipped.

He will get a better idea of how they will take shape on Friday night when they tackle Robb College at Quirindi.

The Lions men and women will both be in action with the women's fixture kicking off at 6.30pm followed by the men at 7pm.

Entry to the ground is a gold coin and there will be barbecue and bar facilities in operation.

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