Nine Illawarriors Through To Cockatoos Squad

The disappointment of the Illawarriors Caldwell Cup loss in Tamworth has been tempered somewhat with the announcement of the Country Cockatoos Training Squad. Nine Illawarriors have been selected in the thirty seven strong Squad to prepare for the National Tournament scheduled to be played in Adelaide in September.

Seven players who have been involved with the Cockatoos in the past have been called upon again with two new players winning selection. Vikings second row partners Jack Hobbs and Cody Roman have been rewarded for strong performances at the Country Championships in Tamworth over the June long weekend. Their Vikings teammate, Flanker Dane Nethery has been named for the second season running.

Also returning to the Country Training squad are University players Tom Baker, Takunda Chimwaza, and Wayne Ngatai. Kiama’s Leighton Cowley, Tech Waratahs Aisake Tuevu, and Henry Yuill from Bowral have also been recalled to the Cockatoos.

The squad will be put through several weekend Training Camps and Evaluations before the final squad for the tournament is announced in the coming months.  The Squad will be under the guidance of Head Coach Shaun McCreedy, also from the Illawarra region.