The Big League is coming to the bush.
The heir apparent to Robbie Farah, young Wests Tigers hooker Manaia Cherrington, will be just one of several NRL stars who will be on show when Round 9 of the Intrust Super Premiership NSW competition goes bush this weekend.
NSW regional areas, including the two Greater Southern Region venues of Moss Vale and Nowra, will play host to Round 9 of the Intrust Super Premiership NSW competition.
The Wests Tigers (see full team list below) will take on North Sydney Bears at Moss Vale Oval on Saturday with Manly coming up against the Illawarra Cutters at Nowra Showground on Sunday.
Illawarra Cutters Manager Neil Lovett believes the initiative is an important round for country areas.
“It’s a great opportunity for people in the country to experience first-hand the NRL standard of football without having to travel to the main city centers,’’ says Lovett.
“Both teams will be full of NRL contracted players so the level will be exceptional.
“The games over this weekend are also vital to the links between NSW Rugby League and the Country Rugby League so it’s important they are supported. “There will be an opportunity for the general public to get closer to the players with a meet-and-greet after the game so it will definitely be a great day of football.’’
Country Rugby League Regional Manager Kevin Felgate has expressed his delight at the round and urges the local rugby league community to come out and support the weekend as a whole.
“A huge thank you needs to go out the Dave Trodden and the NSW Board for developing the initiative,’’ says Felgate.
“For the average Rugby League lover in the country to be able to see games of an NRL standard without travel is outstanding.
“People at grass roots are able to have these players in their backyard which is important to the propagation of the game in regional Australia.’’
SNAPSHOT:
Saturday – Wests Tigers v North Sydney
Time: 3pm
Venue: Moss Vale Community Oval
Tickets: $10 at the gate.
Sunday – Manly v Illawarra Cutters
Time: 1pm
Venue: Nowra Showground
Tickets: $10 at the gate.
Wests Tigers Intrust Super Premiership NSW v North Sydney:
- Justin Hunt
- Josh Addo-Carr
- Nathan Milone
- Chance Peni
- Watson Heleta
- Jack Littlejohn
- Josh Drinkwater
- Rod Griffin
- Manaia Cherrington
- Jordan Grant
- Michael Chee Kam
- Asipeli Fine (C)
- Joel Edwards
Interchange:
- Jeremy Marshall-King
- Dallas Graham
- Wesley Lolo
- Tyler Cassel
- Matthew Eisenhuth
