After merging with the Sydney Stars, the NSW Country Eagles have assembled a star studded squad for the 2016 season and will be looking to better their semi-final finish in 2014 after narrowly missing the playoffs last year.

Waratahs stars Andrew Kellaway and Dave Horwtiz will be joined by Brumbies recruit Kyle Godwin in an exciting Eagles backline, with Paddy Ryan, Tolu Latu, Ned Hanigan and Sam Ward set to give NSW Country plenty of grunt up front.

The Eagles open their season against Brisbane City in Sydney on Saturday and will take matches to Tamworth and Orange this year.

Overview – with Darren Coleman

“I’m really happy with the squad we’ve put together, I think the depth of the squad is the strongest it’s been in the three years I’ve been here. Fortunately we’ve always had some high quality Super Rugby players over the years, but this year right down to player 33, they are all strong players.

“It’s been interesting to watch how Kel (Andrew Kellaway) and Dave (Horwitz) have carried themselves in the group this year compared to the last two years, it’s poles apart. They are a lot more experienced and a lot more vocal within the group, which has been great.

“We had a good first week and got four solid sessions in and we’ve got three more this week to get ready for game one. All the teams are relatively even in terms of preparation time so there is no excuse not to perform in week one.

“We did an exercise on Saturday and split the squad into three groups; Eagles from last year, Stars from last year and players that played elsewhere last year and the biggest group was the new guys. I don’t think too many guys are thinking about how last year ended, we just think it’s time for one of the NSW sides to give it a crack.”

How will NSW Country play?

“It’ll be interesting to see. We’ve got a couple of new coaches who like doing things a little differently. Dan Parkes has some interesting ideas on how we get out of our own half so I’m looking forward to seeing how that plays out. Brad Harris is a very technically strong coach from the Brumbies system that had so much success with their maul this year and last year.

“I’d like to think we’ll play expansive rugby like we have in the last two years, but we’ll have a little more variety with a strong maul and kicking game.”

Player(s) to watch?

“I’m looking forward to Sam Needs’ continued development; he’s just signed an extended playing squad contract with the Waratahs. He’s a good country boy from South West Rocks (also Coleman’s home town), a beautiful coastal town on the North coast. He’ll be an unsung hero in the tight five.

“Tolu Latu has a bit of a battle on his hands. The other two Waratahs hookers are playing for the other two NSW teams, so they’ll be in direct competition for Waratahs spots. I think you’ll see a strong effort from him.

“Ned Hanigan is another, he’ll be in a leadership role and it will be interesting to watch him play big minutes week in, week out and lead our line-out.”

Goal/Aspirations?

“With eight teams I think everyone needs to be shooting for the playoffs. We want to get in the top four and then see where it goes from there.”

NSW Country Eagles Squad

Forwards

Sam Needs (EASTWOOD), Tom Robertson (SYDNEY UNI), Paddy Ryan (SYDNEY UNI), Sonny Suatala (RANDWICK), Jed Gillespie (EASTWOOD), Cam Betham (EASTERN SUBURBS), Folau Faingaa (SYDNEY UNI), Tolu Latu (SYDNEY UNI), Tim Buchanan (EASTERN SUBURBS), Ryan McCauley (EASTERN SUBURBS), Ned Hanigan (RANDWICK), Will Munro (RANDWICK), Jake Wainwright (SYDNEY UNI), Rowan O’Regan (SYDNEY UNI), Mark Baldwin (RANDWICK), Rohan Perry (EASTERN SUBURBS), Sam Ward (WARRINGAH), Sam Croke (RANDWICK), Sam Figg (Randwick).

Backs

Jake Gordon (SYDNEY UNI), Mitch Short (RANDWICK), Andrew Deegan (RANDWICK), Tayler Adams (WEST HARBOUR), David Horwitz (RANDWICK), Kyle Godwin (BRUMBIES), Apakuki Ma’afu (RANDWICK), Tom Hill (EASTWOOD), Alex Newsome (EASTERN SUBURBS), Christian Kagiassis (SYDNEY UNI), Reece Robinson (RANDWICK), Andrew Kellaway (RANDWICK), Angus Roberts (SYDNEY UNI), Ernest Suavua (VIKINGS), Charlie Clifton (EASTERN SUBURBS).