They don’t come much more country then Ned Hanigan.

The 21-year old Coonamble born lock will start for the NSW Country Eagles against Brisbane City this weekend and couldn’t be happier about it.

If fact, he even filmed a weather report earlier this week in the hope of encouraging a few more country fans to get along to the game.

“That was a bit of stitch up, I wasn’t expecting to have to pull out the Akubra and Drizabone,” he said.

“I think I said yesterday was going to be overcast and rainy and it was bright and sunny so maybe weather reporting isn’t for me.”

But jokes aside, Hanigan is clearly proud of his upbringing and isn’t taking the opportunity to represent NSW Country lightly.

“I went up to Scone a few weeks ago and I think I’d forgotten how important rugby is in the community in regional areas, it brings everyone together. There would have been 600 odd kids playing that day and that reminded me how important it is,” he said.

“All the boys in the team realise that and even though a few of them aren’t directly linked to the country, they do realise the pride that the fellas in the bush have towards the sport and they are all looking forward to doing them proud.”

After a standout campaign for the Australian U20s at last year’s World Cup, Hanigan joined the Waratahs full time training squad this year and picked up two caps from the bench.

He’s one of six players with Super Rugby experience named in the Eagles starting XV in round one.

“We’ve got a good group of fellas, all talented footballers and they are all really good blokes,” he said.

“There are a few young guys that have dominated in the Shute Shield and a few guys coming back from Super Rugby so I think we’ve got a good mix.”

Following the departures of Dave Dennis and Sam Lousi at Moore Park, Hanigan has a chance to play his way into a Waratahs jersey with a strong showing in the NRC.

But typically, he played down the opportunity.

“I really didn’t think I’d get a shot at Super Rugby this year, it was all a bit surreal to be honest but it makes you want it a whole lot more. Through the NRC, I just want to consistently play at a high level and continue to learn.

“Teams like Canberra, Brisbane and Melbourne, there are a lot of guys in those sides that have played Super Rugby and those are the guys I want to test myself against.

“If I can stay uninjured, then hopefully things will start to poke along.”

That opportunity starts on Saturday, when the Eagles face a Brisbane City team that have won 14 straight matches.

“The boys are excited for it. There is no better way to start the comp then to play the defending premiers, so we’ll know where we stand straight away.

“There is a fair bit of excitement, we’ve prepared pretty well so we are looking forward to it.”