Narrabri hungry for Bulls battle on ‘Old Boars Day’ at Dangar Park

No matter where they are positioned on the ladder or who is pulling on the jerseys, it’s always one of the biggest games of the year when the Narrabri Blue Boars and the Moree Bulls lock horns.

History ensures this is so.

From the grand final battles of the early 2000s to the 2015 decider when the Blue Boars won their most recent first grade premiership at Weebolla Oval against the Bulls, as well as everything before, in between and after, the two clubs have proud pasts and always bring out the best in one another when they meet.

It will be no different on Saturday in the 13th round of the 2022 Central North Rugby Union campaign when they go head-to-head at Dangar Park.

The Blue Boars enter the game with everything to play for.

They are hunting for their first top grade minor premiership since the 2015 season as they sit second on the ladder, just one bonus point win adrift of last year’s minor premiers and the current ladder leaders Gunnedah.

While anything is possible in the CNRU competition, a home game against seventh-placed Quirindi is likely one that Gunnedah will win on Saturday, and the Narrabri men will be aware of that as they attempt to remain within reaching distance of the Red Devils.

The Blue Boars are also undefeated at home this year and are going into round 13 attempting to extend that streak to five games. They have won a combined 168-53 in four games on home soil this year as Dangar Park remains a fortress for the boys in blue and black.

Adding to Narrabri’s motivation is the fact that it’s ‘Old Boars Day’ this Saturday. The rebranded ‘old boys’ day’ adds a fresh feel to a familiar concept in 2022.

The day is now known as Old Boars Day to be inclusive of not only the many men who have been Blue Boars in the past but also the many women who have been proud club members across the decades and, more recently, those who have featured for the club’s women’s sevens and 10s sides and no longer play.

Moree will also be hungry come game day. The minor premiership may be out of its grasp, but the fifth-placed side is locked in a battle to play finals footy with the sides above it.

The Bulls are five points back from fourth-placed Pirates, which have the bye in round 13, making a win crucial on Saturday.

They enter the Dangar Park clash coming off a 62-19 home ground victory against Quirindi at Weebolla Oval, the venue where the Blue Boars edged out the Bulls 28-24 in round 4 back in May.

Someone who knows a thing or two about the Blue Boars and Bulls rivalry is Narrabri first XV coach Jake Packer.

Packer was part of the Blue Boars’ premiership-winning run in 2015, although he did miss the grand final against the Bulls through injury after breaking his thumb in a loss against Moree in the major semi-final.

He has played in many a tough game against the Moree men and expects Saturday’s clash to be no different.

“I’m very excited, everyone’s very excited,” Packer said.

“It doesn’t matter how both teams are going, it always seems to be a tight tussle against Moree.

“The boys are really up for this one considering last game against them we didn’t really put in our best performance, so we really want to put in a good performance for the crowd and come away with a win to keep that streak at home going.

“It will be a big crowd there being old boys’ day.”

The Blue Boars have made several changes to the side that travelled over to Quirindi in round 12 last Saturday and returned home with five points following a 36-17 victory.

Will Turner comes back into the lineup and replaces Mitch Creighton at hooker, with Hamish Moore still away until round 14.

While the rest of the forward pack is expected to remain unchanged, there has been a major shake-up in the backline.

Five-eighth and co-captain Jacob Nichols will miss the match with a finger injury he suffered during the week at work. That will see inside centre Morgan Jones shift into the number 10 jersey, outside centre Will McDonnell shift into inside centre and the returning Jydon Hill slot in at outside centre, with Felix Cobb-Johnson staying at fullback following his two-try effort in the number 15 jersey during an away win against Quirindi in round 12.