By Jon Geddes

PLUGGING the player drain of local talent will be a priority under the bold new plan to revive the fortunes of the Western Sydney Two Blues and make the area a rugby powerhouse.

“I know the Two Blues can be a lot better than they are now,” said Ben Russell, who has been appointed to the new role of the Two Blues’ Head of Colts and Pathways. 

“There is too much talent for the Two Blues not to do anything.

“These players need to be coming into the Colts program and not going elsewhere. We need to keep them in our own backyard.”

RECLAIMING THE LOST GENERATION 

TWO Blues head coach Sailosi Tagicakibau, a three-time World Cup representative with Samoa, knows what success looks like and understands the importance of nurturing the club’s nursery.

“There is a lot of talent in the west and rugby just needs that presence to show it is a viable option if they do want to become professional,” he said.

“I think it is a matter of helping those juniors, because if you look at the State champs from an age point of view the Two Blues are pretty strong.”

Four talented young Two Blues were in the impressive Sydney Under 18 side last weekend. 

“We’ve always lost a lot of our juniors transitioning into our club after high school,” Tagicakibau said.

“We are just trying to do a better job there, I think we have been a bit disconnected. 

“With the new appointments I’m hoping we will build that connection and really start to lay some good foundations for the club going forward.”

YOUNG TIME TALENT 

REINFORCING Tagicakibau’s words Russell said: “There is so much talent in the west and they just need to be given a fair chance to be shown what they can do.

“Connecting with the juniors and showing them that there is a proper pathway there is where we are going to start.”

Producing good juniors, is one thing, holding onto them is another – and that has been a constant battle for the Two Blues over recent times.       

“Keeping them interested with good training and creating a really strong culture around that is how I am going to do that,” Russell said.  

“Trying to get those players to stay in the local area is one of the hardest challenges.

“I’ve already had a chat to a couple of the junior clubs and the juniors’ president about trying to bridge the gap between juniors and colts.”

A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN

RUGBY in the west is also competing with the rugby league juggernaut. The Penrith Panthers have 9000 junior players and the Parramatta Eels 5000.

“I think everyone faces a big challenge against rugby league,” Russell said.

“If we can offer a strong program and good coaching that is going to be a really good start.

“We’ve got to offer them somewhere where they can get better, they can have a strong culture and have a family environment.

“I think that is one thing that league doesn’t really have is that family environment.”

That large number of young rugby league players also opens up opportunities for rugby as a tiny fraction will fulfill their dreams of a career in the NRL.     

THE HARD WORK BEGINS

RUSSELL is under no illusions as to magnitude of the task ahead.   

“I know Two Blues can be a lot better than they are now … but it’s going to be a hard 12 months,” he said.

“We are going to have a strong presence and give these boys everything they deserve. 

“I’m not promising finals next year, I’m promising that it will be better than this year.”

An indication the task Russell faces is that the club is currently only fielding one colts team in second grade.

“My plan is to have three Colts teams by 2026 – if that comes next year, it comes next year,” he said.

THE COACHES ARRIVE

RUSSELL brings an impressive CV to the job, which includes coaching experience with Warringah Colts, Southern Districts juniors, Waverley College, Sydney Junior Rep sides. NSW Samoa Under 16s, NSW Gen Blue and the Australian Raptors Academy.

“In the west rugby needs to be a lot better than what it is,” Russell said. “I could sit there and complain about it or I could put my hand up and try and do something.

“That was one of the main reasons (I took the job) because I want to see rugby in the west succeed.

“The other reason is I want a challenge, I want to see what I can do.”

He will be supported by first grade Colts coach Ray Feagaiga, who has extensive experience coaching western Sydney junior teams and the Sydney Samoan Under 18s.

“Ray is awesome, he is a very good coach and is going to be key to keeping a lot of the boys there,” Russell said.

“I also have some good coaches who are jumping on board who have done Sydney level and Gen Blue level.”