By Matt Findlay

It’s disappointing neither Central North nor New England will contest this year’s Richardson Shield, NSW Country Rugby Union (NSWCRU) president Barry Ruddy admits, but the way the two zones have rallied together in their bid to form a hybrid side to take their place is “incredibly heartening”.

Citing a lack of player interest as the main reason, in mid-February both Central North and New England both announced they wouldn’t be able to field opens or colts XVs at this year’s NSW Country Championships at Warren, in April.

But with the backing of and plenty of support from NSWCRU, they’ve combined and formed the skeleton of an outfit that’s expected to take on Far North Coast, Central Coast and hosts Western Plains in this year’s second tier and give the two zones’ stars a chance to press their claims for Country Cockatoos selection.

The side’s been labelled the Northern Bushrangers and in Ruddy’s eyes, the combination actually makes a lot of sense.

“New England and Central North were working towards merging their (club) competitions this year, but when that was deferred until at least next year they said they wouldn’t be able to field sides, that’s when [NSWCRU] stepped in a bit to help,” Ruddy explained.

“They already have coaches, management staff and quite a few players interested in playing for the Bushrangers and I know that area’s Junior Gold Cup side was the Northern Inland Bushrangers, so I guess it’s a bit of a nod to that too.

“It’s been incredibly heartening to see so many people interested, we’ve had some ex-Cockatoos put their hands up and I actually think they’ll be really competitive.

“In some ways it helps us quite a bit too, because it means we have eight zones rather than nine which will help the draw, especially in the Richardson Shield although, I need to say it’s not 100 per cent locked in at the moment.

“It’s all coming together nicely though, so I’m 99 per cent sure the Bushrangers will compete in at least the men’s championship.”

It remains to be seen whether the two zones’ colts will play as separate sides or as a combined outfit, while there won’t be a Bushrangers women’s side.

“Traditionally New England has always been quite late [nominating] their colts sides, because of all the universities up there. We’re not sure what will happen there at the moment, especially with the championships being in the middle of uni holidays this year,” Ruddy said.

“We do have a little bit of time up our sleeve there, while Central North definitely have a women’s team and New England looks pretty close as well so we’re expecting two women’s sides.”

The 2018 Country Championships will be history-making tournaments too, with Western Plains hosting for the first time.

“I’m really looking forward to Warren too, this will mean that every zone has had its chance to host the country championships,” Ruddy said.

“It’ll be quite special in a way too, because Warren doesn’t have the accommodation needed to house so many players all the sides except Illawarra will be staying in a tent city of sorts, although it’s more like glamping really, and all the teams will be staying at the same place.

“It’s a three bed to a tent set-up, there’ll be a bar there too, so players get the chance to mingle and have a few beers after the games, which is so much of what country rugby is about.

“It’ll be very unique and I know the people of Warren are absolutely champing at the bit for it, the council out there has been amazing and I think we’re looking at a cracking set of championships.”