New South Wales Country Eagles
The New South Wales Country Eagles is an Australian rugby union football team competes in the National Rugby Championship (NRC). The team was founded by a group of patrons associated with country rugby in New South Wales. The Eagles team plays home matches in regional centres of New South Wales including Armidale, Goulburn, Orange, and Tamworth.[2]
NSW Country Eagles | |||
Union | NSW Country Rugby [1] | ||
---|---|---|---|
Founded | 2014 | ||
Region | NSW Regions, excl. Sydney & Southern NSW | ||
Ground(s) | (Dubbo) Caltex Park (Port Macquarie) Regional Stadium (Wollongong) WIN Stadium | ||
Coach(es) | Robert Taylor | ||
Captain(s) | Ned Hanigan | ||
League(s) | National Rugby Championship | ||
2018 | 7th | ||
|
Name and colours
The Country Eagles are named for the wedge-tailed eagle, the largest bird of prey found in Australia. The team logo features a wedge-tailed eagle and, as the bird's feathers are mainly black with deep golden coloured highlights on the neck and wings, black and gold were adopted as the team's original colours.[3] The logo and mascot, “Wedgie”, were chosen in consultation with the NSW Country Rugby Union to differentiate the team from the existing Cockatoos representative side. The Eagles colours, however, remain similar to the traditional black and gold (amber) colours worn by NSW Country.[2]
Sponsorship
Elders Limited formed a partnership with NSW Country Eagles in 2015, and has been the team's main front-of-jersey sponsor since 2016.[4] The major naming sponsor of the Country Eagles for the 2014 and 2015 seasons was Charles Sturt University (CSU).[5]
History
The ARU announced in December 2013 that the National Rugby Championship (NRC) would commence in 2014. Expressions of interest were open to all parties, with the accepted bids announced in early 2014.[6] A group of rugby patrons headed by businessmen Rick Hutchinson and Peter Tonkin (son of former Wallaby Arthur Tonkin)[7] founded the bid for a New South Wales Country team.[8][9] On 24 March 2014, it was announced that New South Wales Country would be in the new competition.[10]
| |||
2014–2015 NSW Country Eagles kit and logo. |
The first general manager of the NSW Country Eagles, former Wallabies player James Grant, stated in 2014 that the team would be based in Sydney but travel to regional centres in New South Wales to play home games. Cities including Orange, Dubbo, Mudgee, Lismore, Tamworth, Moree, Armidale and Newcastle expressed an interest in staging matches.[9]
Originally it was thought that the NSW Country team for the NRC would be wholly composed of city-based players of country origin, but a goal of recruiting between four and eight players that were country-based was announced.[10] In the early years of the competition. Sydney clubs Easts and Randwick had a direct link as feeder clubs for the NSW Country team in the NRC.[3] Ahead of the 2016 season, the Sydney University club took a 25% stake in the team and provided many Eagles players from that season onwards.[11]
Darren Coleman was appointed as the first head coach of NSW Country team in 2014. Coleman had previously guided Japanese team Toyota Shokki to Top League promotion for the 2013–14 season.[12][13] Prior to that, he was also the assistant coach of the Central Coast Rays team which won the ARC in 2007.[14] Coleman continued as head coach through to 2018.[15][16][17]
Grounds
The NSW Country team plays its home matches in regional centres of New South Wales. In previous seasons, the team has also hosted some games in Sydney.[2] The team has its training base at the University of NSW in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, the same facitity used by the Waratahs.[1]
The team has scheduled home matches at the following locations:
City | Venue | Capacity |
---|---|---|
Home venues for the current season | ||
Dubbo | Caltex Park [18] | 12,000 |
Port Macquarie | Regional Stadium | 10,000 |
Wollongong | WIN Stadium | 23,000 |
Home venues for previous seasons | ||
Armidale | Bellevue Oval | 3,000 |
Bathurst | Ann Ashwood Park | 3,000 |
Camden | Camden Rugby Park | 3,000 |
Gosford | Central Coast Stadium | 20,059 |
Goulburn | Simon Poidevin Oval | 3,000 |
Lismore | Oakes Oval [19] | 10,000 |
Mudgee | Glen Willow Stadium | 10,000 |
Newcastle | Sports Ground No. 2 | 5,000 |
Orange | Wade Park [20] | 8,000 |
Tamworth | Chillingworth Oval | 3,000 |
Scully Park | 11,000 | |
Magpies Rugby Park | 3,000 | |
Sydney | Concord Oval | 20,000 |
Coogee Oval [21] | 5,000 | |
University Oval No. 2 | 5,000 | |
Woollahra Oval | 5,000 |
Current squad
The squad for the 2019 NRC season:
Flanker Ned Hanigan. |
Scrum-half Jake Gordon. |
Records
Honours
- National Rugby Championship
- Horan-Little Shield
- Season winners: 2016
Season standings
National Rugby Championship
Year Pos Pld W D L F A +/- BP Pts Play-offs 2018 7th 7 1 0 6 140 280 −140 2 6 Did not compete 2017 5th 8 4 1 3 219 217 +2 2 20 Did not compete 2016 1st 7 6 0 1 280 190 +90 4 28 Grand final loss to Perth Spirit by 20–16. 2015 5th 8 4 0 4 225 260 −35 3 19 Did not compete 2014 2nd 8 6 0 2 251 202 +49 3 27 Semi-final loss to Brisbane City by 26–32.
Head coaches
- Robert Taylor (2019) [24]
- Darren Coleman (2014–2018)
Captains
- Ned Hanigan (2019) [25]
- Paddy Ryan (2016–2018)[26]
- Jono Lance (2015)[27]
- Matthew Carraro, Cameron Treloar (2014) [28]
Squads
2016 NSW Country Eagles squad – NRC The squad for the 2016 National Rugby Championship season:[29] Props
- Cam Betham
- Jed Gillespie
- Samuel Needs
- Tom Robertson
- Paddy Ryan (c)
- Sonny Suatala
Hookers
- Folau Fainga'a
- Tolu Latu
Locks
- Tim Buchanan
- Ned Hanigan
- Ryan McCauley
- Dean Mumm1
- Will Munro
Loose Forwards
- Mark Baldwin
- Sam Croke
- Tom Cusack
- Rohan O’Regan
- Rowan Perry
- Jake Wainwright
- Sam Ward
Scrum-halves
- Jake Gordon
- Nick Phipps1
- Mitchell Short
Fly-halves
- Tayler Adams
- Andrew Deegan
- Bernard Foley1
Centres
- Samuel Figg
- Kyle Godwin
- Tom Hill
- David Horwitz
- Apakuki Ma’afu
Wingers
- Charlie Clifton
- Christian Kagiassis
- Andrew Kellaway
- Reece Robinson
- Ernest Suavua
- Joel Brooks
- Jarome McKenzie
- Tom Merritt
Fullbacks
- Alex Newsome
- Angus Roberts
(c) Team captain
Bold denotes internationally capped players at the time
1 Allocated national player additional to the contracted squad.
2015 NSW Country Eagles squad – NRC The squad for the 2015 National Rugby Championship season:[30][31] Props
- Andrew Collins
- David Feao
- Dashville Kuate
- Dane Maraki
- Jerome Vaai
Hookers
- Ryan Dalziel
- Peter Nau
- Tom Sexton
Locks
- Jock Armstrong
- Sam Carter1
- BJ Edwards
- Tom Staniforth
- Ned Hanigan
- Nicholas Palmer
Loose Forwards
- Mark Baldwin
- Sam Croke
- Sam Lousi
- Will Miller (vc)
- Beau Robinson
- Pauli Tuala
- Tyrone Viiga
Scrum-halves
- Michael Dowsett
- Jock Merriman
Fly-halves
- David Horwitz
- Jono Lance (c)
- Matt Toomua1
Centres
- Samuel Figg
- Brogan Roods
- Ed Stubbs
Wingers
- Joel Brooks
- Charlie Clifton
- Andrew Kellaway
- Jarome McKenzie
- Tom Merritt
Fullbacks
- David Harvey
- Will Fay
(c) Team captain
Bold denotes internationally capped players at the time
1 Allocated national player additional to the contracted squad.
2014 NSW Country Eagles squad – NRC The squad for the 2014 National Rugby Championship season:[32][33] Props
- Michael Alaalatoa
- Duncan Chubb
- Jake Ilnicki
- Sekope Kepu1
- Max Lahiff
- Tim Metcher
- Ben Suisala
Hookers
- Ryan Dalziel
- Billy Johnston
- Josh Mann-Rea
- Will Weeks
Locks
- Mitchell Chapman
- Kane Douglas
- Ben Matwijow
- Cameron Treloar
Loose Forwards
- Sam Croke
- Tala Gray
- Stephen Hoiles
- Will Miller
- Pauli Tuala
- Ita Vaea
Scrum-halves
- Darcy Etrich
- Brendan McKibbin
- Michael Snowden
- Nic White1
Fly-halves
- David Horwitz
- Matt Toomua1
- Sam Windsor
Centres
- Adam Ashley-Cooper1
- Matthew Carraro (c)
- Apakuki Ma’afu
- Ed Stubbs
- Chris Tuatara-Morrison
- Samu Wara
Wingers
- Ethan Ford
- John Grant
- Andrew Kellaway
- Misieli Sinoti
- Malakai Watene-Zelezniak
Fullbacks
(c) Team captain
Bold denotes internationally capped players at the time
1 Allocated national player additional to the contracted squad.
Gallery
- NSW Country Eagles Round 1
- NSW Country Eagles Coogee Oval
- NSW Country Eagles Coogee Oval
- NSW Country Eagles Coogee Oval
See also
References
- McKay, Brett (29 August 2019). "Return of the old Sydney jersey the final missing piece of the NRC puzzle". The Roar. Archived from the original on 29 August 2019.
- "NRC update part 2: NSW Country and the Sydney teams". The Roar. 9 July 2014. Archived from the original on 9 July 2014. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
- "About Us". NSW Country Eagles. 2014. Archived from the original on 27 July 2014. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
- "Sponsorships: New South Wales Country Eagles". Elders Rural. 2015. Archived from the original on 20 February 2017. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
- "CSU supports NSW Country Eagles". Charles Sturt University. 12 August 2014. Archived from the original on 22 August 2014. Retrieved 23 August 2014.
- "ARU unveils new domestic competition, a third tier of rugby". The Australian. News. 10 December 2013. Archived from the original on 3 July 2014. Retrieved 3 July 2014.
- "Tonkin's dream turns to reality". The Daily Examiner. 30 April 2010. Archived from the original on 27 February 2019.
- Adams, Hugh (15 August 2014). "NSW Country Eagles Preview". Green and Gold Rugby. Archived from the original on 15 August 2014. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
- Findle, Matt (26 March 2014). "Country players to audition for National Rugby Championship side". Central Western Daily. Archived from the original on 12 May 2014. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
- "Australian Rugby Union says National Rugby Championship to start in August". ABC. 24 March 2014. Archived from the original on 25 March 2014. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
- McKay, Brett (16 November 2016). "Comment @ 2:31pm". The Roar. Archived from the original on 16 November 2016.
- "Ashley-Cooper to stay in Australia". msn Sport. 22 March 2013. Archived from the original on 6 May 2014. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
- "Toyota Shokki promoted, Sanix relegated". Rugby Redefined. 3 February 2013. Archived from the original on 6 May 2014. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
- "Coleman to coach Brumbies Academy". Rugby Week. 19 September 2008. Archived from the original on 6 May 2014. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
- "The Eagles haven't landed ... yet: Orange in fight to host NRC game". Central West Daily. 16 April 2015. Archived from the original on 31 July 2015. Retrieved 31 July 2015.
- "Coaching staff announcement". NSW Country Eagles. 4 June 2016. Archived from the original on 19 July 2016. Retrieved 19 July 2016.
- "NRC coaches for 2018 announced". NSW Waratahs. 10 August 2018. Archived from the original on 16 August 2018. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
- "Apex Oval". Austadiums. 9 December 2010. Archived from the original on 29 March 2014. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
- "Oakes Oval". Austadiums. 25 January 2010. Archived from the original on 2 November 2012. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
- "Wade Park". Austadiums. 5 July 2007. Archived from the original on 15 July 2014. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
- "Coogee Oval". Austadiums. 22 March 2005. Archived from the original on 29 March 2014. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
- "Brisbane City vs NSW Country Eagles". Rugby.com.au. Retrieved 20 September 2019.
- "Sydney and Country confirm NRC squads". NSW Waratahs. 26 August 2019. Archived from the original on 26 August 2019.
- Payten, Iain (16 July 2019). "Sydney, NSW Country name coaches; Tahs may recruit Foley replacement". Rugby.com.au. Archived from the original on 16 July 2019.
- "NRC captains welcome rule changes in 2019 tournament". rugby.com.au. 27 August 2019. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
- "Why change a winning formula? The Country Eagles coaching staff and captain confirmed for 2017". NSW Country Eagles. 17 July 2017. Archived from the original on 17 July 2017. Retrieved 17 July 2017.
- "Jono Lance and Will Miller named CSU Country Eagles captains". NSW Country Eagles. 19 August 2015. Archived from the original on 19 August 2015. Retrieved 19 August 2015.
- "NSW Country Eagles team to play Greater Sydney Rams". NSW Country Rugby. 21 August 2014. Archived from the original on 22 August 2014. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
- NSW COUNTRY EAGLES PLAYING SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT
- "CSU NSW Country Eagles announce 2015 NRC squad". NSW Country Eagles. 10 August 2015. Retrieved 19 August 2015.
- "Meet the team". NSW Country Eagles. Archived from the original on 29 September 2018. Retrieved 19 August 2015.
- "NSW Country Eagles announce NRC Squad for 2014". The Roar. 1 August 2014. Archived from the original on 1 August 2014. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
- Qantas Wallabies player alignments unveiled for 2014 Buildcorp National Rugby Championship
External links
- NRC page on .nswwaratahs.com.au
Archives
- Former NSW Country Eagles official website at the Wayback Machine (archived 24 December 2018)