CRC Team of the Year 2025: Interchange
Congratulations to Jack Anderson (Queanbeyan Blues), Cooper O'Connor (Yass Magpies), Cooper Taekata (Tuggeranong Bushrangers), Bailey Hitchcock (Queanbeyan Kangaroos) and Tomasi Bikaca (Woden Valley Rams) for their selections in the 2025 Canberra Raiders Cup Team of the Year.
#14 - Jack Anderson (Queanbeyan Blues)
In 2025, the Queanbeyan Blues junior had a fantastic season providing his side with plenty of spark off the interchange bench.
Featuring in fifteen games this season, Anderson continued to develop his one two punch with Blake Murray and ensured that quality was produced in the minutes he was provided.
The Canberra Raiders Jersey Flegg squad member crossed the line on 11 occasions in 2025, including a try in the Grand Final against the Queanbeyan Kangaroos.
With the retirement of Blake Murray, 2026 will be a big year for the crafty number nine as he will look to move into the starting role and continue his rise in the Canberra Raiders Cup competition.
#15 - Cooper O'Connor (Yass Magpies)
In a difficult season for the Magpies, Cooper O'Connor provided Yass with consistent performance and effort throughout 2025.
The talented outside back featured in multiple positions in the backline throughout the year, however made the fullback position his own, playing 11 games out the back.
Despite his side finishing down the bottom of the ladder, O'Connor excelled through his work out of yardage and ability to set up his outside men.
Under the leadership of Anthony Vitler and Rana Baker, the Magpies will look to climb up the table next season, with Cooper O'Connor to play a critical role.
#16 - Cooper Taekata (Tuggeranong Bushrangers)
After making the transition from Rugby Union this season, Taekata provided the Bushrangers with strong go forward in the middle of the field.
Similar to his side, Taekata started the season slowly and built into his year causing chaos for opposition defenders with his damaging ball running.
Playing in fourteen games, the highlight of his season came in the Elimination Final against the Warriors, where he scored a barnstorming individual try to book his side a spot in the Preliminary Final.
In his first season in the Canberra Raiders Cup, Taekata has set a high standard for himself, with his performances this year seeing him declared the joint winner of the Tuggeranong Bushrangers Best & Fairest with Darby Medlyn.
#17 - Bayley Hitchcock (Queanbeyan Kangaroos)
Featuring in every game this season for the Kangaroos, Bayley Hitchcock produced consistent performances throughout the 2025 campaign which sees him earn a spot in the Canberra Raiders Cup Team of the Year.
After making his appearances of the bench last season, Hitchcock moved into the starting lineup and flourished in the lock forward position in both attack and defence.
With the ball in handed, he proved a handful for defenders scoring 7 tries, including one in the Grand Final and worked tirelessly off the ball to ensure the Kangaroos had the second defensive record.
A Queanbeyan Kangaroos junior and two-time premiership player, Hitchcock has established himself as an integral member of the lineup and will play an important role in their quest back to the top of the Canberra Raiders Cup.
#18 - Tomasi Bikaca (Woden Valley Rams)
In his first season in the Canberra Raiders Cup, Tomasi Bikaca impressed with his performances for the Woden Valley Rams.
An infectious character, Bikaca was an energiser bunny on the wing for the Rams, with this highlighted through his work out of yardage.
In the 2025 season, Bikaca represented the Monaro Colts where his performance earnt him a selection in the Country team.
A strong representative campaign saw the outside back receive the Hewson/Stonhem Medal at the Les McIntyre Awards Night.
