RUGBY UNION
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Mudgee’s Glen Willow Stadium is considered as one of the best facilities in country NSW but it won’t be hosting a National Rugby Championship (NRC) match with Orange and Dubbo set to get the nod.
NSW Country Eagles confirmed they had been in talks with Dubbo and Orange councils about playing a match in each town.
The Eagles team had also been in touch with Mid-Western Regional Council about possibly hosting a NRC match but it looks like that will not eventuate.
While nothing has been confirmed, Wade Park is rumoured to be the most likely venue in Orange and Apex Oval the venue in Dubbo.
"Glen Willow has proved to be the premier regional NSW sporting venue."
- Mayor of Mid-Western Regional Council Des Kennedy
Eagles general manager James Grant, an Orange local and former Wallaby, said the central west was an obvious choice.
“The central west has always been a rugby heartland so it will be great to bring two of the Eagles matches out here,” Grant said.
“I’ve got no doubt the region will get behind the match.”
Mayor of Mid-Western Regional Council Des Kennedy confirmed they had been talking to Grant for several months and they had put in a bid to host at least one NRC match at Glen Willow Stadium during the first two years of the competition.
“We understand the NRC organisers have a lot to consider as all the pieces come together to finalise a draw and work out the locations for each game,” Councillor Kennedy said
“We would love to host a NSW Country Eagles game in Mudgee and we clearly have the facilities to do it. Glen Willow has proved to be the premier regional NSW sporting venue.
“Rugby union officials have already recognised that it stands head and shoulders above any other venue outside Sydney.”
Glen Willow Stadium has hosted an NRL match and a City-Country Origin fixture, the Trans-Tasman Touch Football series twice, and the junior and senior NSW Country rugby titles - all since the stadium opened in February 2012.
NSW Country Rugby executive officer Terry Woodward said this year’s senior championships, held in March, were the best ever.
“The success of major sporting events and huge attending crowds have proved what a great option Glen Willow is, and we’re looking forward to continuing to share those successes with the rugby union community.”
The inaugural NRC, the newly formed Australian second tier competition, begins in late August and will pit the nation’s premier rugby talent against one another.
The 11-week competition could feature a number of Blowes Clothing Cup stars with several rurally based players pinpointed as potential Eagles.
Eagles coach Darren Coleman confirmed he is considering Dubbo Kangaroos pair Peter Nau and Filisone Pauta, Parkes’ Dan Ryan, Orange City’s Gus Brotherton and Bathurst Bulldogs’ number eight Hayden Tidswell.
The coach has no doubts the quintet have the potential to star in the NRC.
“Being a country boy myself, I know how important it is to make that transition from the bush to top level rugby,” Coleman said.
“To see where you are when you come down against professional players, it can only be a benefit for them. There is a lot of talent out there, playing in all different levels of rugby.
“The NRC is going to unearth the next generation of Australian talent and I’d love some of it to come from the bush.”
The NRC consists of four NSW teams, two from Queensland, and one each from ACT, Victoria and Western Australia.