Queanbeyan Kangaroos star Brent Crisp will lead the Canberra Region Rugby League representative team when they take on Newcastle on Saturday in the Tier 1 semi-final of the 2016 Country Championships in Dubbo.
The 2016 team has representation from eight of the nine clubs across the Austbrokers Canberra Raiders Cup competition with a mix of experienced players and emerging stars highlighting this year’s selections.
Queanbeyan Blues Coach Simon Woolford will Coach the team again this year and said its fantastic to see some players in the team who have been rewarded with strong starts to the season.
“We did really well at the championships last year with a more experienced side, but we felt it was time this year to bring in some younger players and give them an opportunity,” Woolford said.
“We’ve got a number of players who have been in the Raiders junior system and we believe we have assembled a team this year which can put in a strong performance.”
Woolford said he was really pleased with the buy-in from the teams in the local competition and the number of players who have made themselves available for selection.
“A lot of people wouldn’t have realised but last year only a handful of players were available to be selected in this team so it’s really exciting to see so many put their hand up for selection this year and it’s reflected with seven of the teams in the competition represented,” he said.
“This includes both Ben Sione from the Sharks and Sato Ketia-Opo from the Magpies who have been playing well so far this season and deserve their place in the team, despite their team’s position on the ladder.”
The Game will be available to watch live online through BarTV Sports.
2016 Country Championships Semi Final (Tier 1)
CRRL v Newcastle
Saturday May 28, 2.30pm
Apex Oval, Dubbo
2016 Canberra Region Representative Team
1. Adam Misios (Queanbeyan Blues)
2. Ryan McQueen (West Belconnen Warriors)
3. Alex Solipo (Queanbeyan Blues)
4. Tevita Aroha-Tuinauvai (West Belconnen Warriors)
5. Matt Lyons (Tuggeranong Bushrangers)
6. Brent Crisp (Queanbeyan Kangaroos, Captain)
7. Tre Williams (Queanbeyan Kangaroos)
8. Sam Conlon (Goulburn Workers Bulldogs)
9. James Ulrick (Queanbeyan Blues)
10. Brett Solomon (Tuggeranong Bushrangers)
11. Adam Pearce (Queanbeyan Kangaroos)
12. Naseri Naseri (Queanbeyan Blues)
13. Michael Cullen (Queanbeyan Blues)
14. Sato Ketia-Opo (Yass Magpies)
15. Ben Sione (Belconnen United Sharks)
16. Mitchell Shaw (West Belconnen Warriors)
17. Jack Elliot (Gungahlin Bulls)
18. Riley Thomas (West Belconnen Warriors)
COACH: Simon Woolford
