THEY have not yet started their Country Championships campaign, but already Kurt Hancock thinks that this year’s Western Rams under 16s squad will be packed full of players who have the potential to play in the NRL.
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On Saturday they will get the chance to show why their Bathurst coach has such faith in their talent when they take on Manly Warringah Sea Eagles junior representatives in a trial match at Dubbo.
While the eventual squad Hancock will guide through the Country Championships will probably number 22, on Saturday 31 under 16s will press their claims for a Rams jumper.
They have been split into Green and White teams and the competition will be hot.
“Originally with our 16s, we wanted to cut the squad back after our in-house trial at Forbes, but their efforts have been outstanding really,” Hancock said.
“They are such a strong age group, and we’ve got really high expectations for them.
“Because we’ve got such a lot of good players, we’ve got 31 who will be going over to Dubbo this weekend in two very good sides.
“After the trial against Manly we’ll cut the squad, we should have an idea after that which guys are going to be pulling on a Western jumper.
“But they’ve just been outstanding, their test results are better than last year’s. A lot of spots are still open, we’ve got five or six great players, but there are a lot of very good players.”
St Pat’s winger Jack McCloud will line up for White, as will Panthers prop Brad Fearnley.
Panthers lock Nathan Ward, centre Mackenzie Atkins and back rower Nic Barlow are members of the Green team.
On top of that, Lithgow trio Dylan Miles, Harry Hopkins and Kevin Large, who all played with Panthers last season, will pull on Western jumpers as well.
All will need to be at their best if they are going to get more time in the coveted green and white jersey.
“I’ve been talking to a few people who have got connections with the NRL, telling them that this is a really good age group,” Hancock said.
“You’ll see a fair few of these guys with NRL clubs in the future.
“Even those who don’t go on to NRL clubs but stay here and go through the grades … it’s only going to make the football we’ve got here stronger as well.”
As for Saturday’s match against the Sea Eagles, Hancock thinks there is enough talent within the two sides to test their more fancied rivals.
A strong start will be crucial, as will having the young Rams back their own talents.
“If we compete for that first 20 minutes against the Manly squad - especially their physicality early because you’ve got to remember that these kids do four-five days a week up there plus gym sessions – I think our kids are going to be really competitive,” Hancock said.
“Having seen the way our guys train and the progression that they’ve made, I think they can do well.
“It’ll be a good game, hopefully they go out there and don’t get too nervous and back themselves.
“They’ve just got to believe in themselves and believe in the players they’ve got around them.”
Kick-off for the under 16 Rams on Saturday is at 4.40pm at Dubbo’s Caltex Park, with an under 18s fixture to follow at 6.30pm.