THE opportunity to rub shoulders with some of Australian rugby union's greatest players awaits five members of the Gunnedah Red Devils.
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Nikole Brooks, Torika Nadruku and Abby Nortup will represent the Central North Women's team when it clashes with the Classic Wallaroos in Moree on Saturday.
Coached by fellow Red Devil Matthew Hannay, who alongside Jamie Mitchell, will play in the men's side against the Classic Wallabies, the Gunnedah trio will take on legends such as Shirley Russell, Deena Aiken and Debbie Grylls.
"There's no doubt this will be a fantastic opportunity for our girls," Hannay told the Namoi Valley Independent.
"It's been really exciting to see women's rugby grow in our region over the last several years and it will be great to see our girls line up against those who went before them."
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The weekend-long event in Moree will see Wallabies legends like Mat Rogers and Lote Tuqiri play against players from across the region.
"I reckon there will be a lot the girls will take out of the weekend," Hannay said.
"Representative-level sport always brings out the best in players because everyone is on a similar level.
"Couple that experience with the chance to not only play against, but be shown by the best, will be massive for their development.
"I'm sure they will take everything they have learnt back to the Red Devils as well, which is brilliant."
While focusing on co-coaching the women's side alongside Paul King, Hannay will also be strutting his stuff against the Classic Wallabies in the men's team.
"I must admit I am probably looking forward to coaching the girls more than I am playing," he said.
"In saying that, it will be great to line up alongside Jamie and have a good run."
Hannay said the game will be "a bit of a call back" to his younger playing days.
"The funny thing is I have played either with or against a lot of the guys in the Classic Wallabies side," he said.
"Having been around for a while I can remember the days when Wallabies players were allowed to go back and play for their clubs, when available.
"With that system you got to play against some of these guys who went on to play for the Wallabies, which was great.
"From that aspect, it will be great to catch up with some of those guys from the old days."
While the group is playing in Moree, the Red Devils will be sharpening up for the Central North season with trial matches against Coolah and Quirindi.
Gunnedah will host both sides at the Gunnedah Rugby Club on Saturday afternoon.
Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
