Narrabri Rugby Club’s first XV will kick off the second half of the 2021 Central North Rugby Union first grade season with a round 10 road trip against Quirindi Lions on Saturday as the Blue Boars battle to hold onto top spot on the ladder.
After winning back-to-back premierships in 2014 and 2015, the Narrabri men have played second fiddle to Pirates and more recently third fiddle to the Tamworth outfit and Walcha across the past few seasons.
However, the hunters have now become the hunted in 2021.
The Blue Boars were victorious in seven of their eight matches across the first nine weeks of the competition, racking up a competition-best 39 points as returning coach Hunter Harley continues to augment the winning culture that the club has worked ever so hard to both build and maintain for decades.
The senior squad impressed their head coach so much during the opening half of the campaign that he opted to give them a rest last week in the lead up to the long weekend.
They returned to Dangar Park on Tuesday night where they hit the ground running at training ahead of Saturday’s Lions battle.
“They certainly did [hit the ground running],” Harley told The Courier yesterday.
“There’s still a few little niggles but the week off certainly refreshed everyone.
“We are starting the downhill run of the season now, we’re over halfway, and we’re good to go.”
One area that has pleased the club’s first grade coach most in 2021 has been the depth among the senior roster, with many combinations working for the side as players have moved in and out of the first XV due to injury and other unavailability.
Harley said that depth would be tested again during the second half of the season, especially among the forwards.
Loosehead prop Dan Baker has departed the club and hooker Joe Maunder will miss three to four weeks during the second half of the season.
“Dan Baker is unfortunately moving back to Sydney,” Harley said.
“He’s only a young fella who’s been good for us this season and is developing well, we will miss him.
“Also, Joe Maunder goes away for three or four weeks too during the second round.
“Will Turner’s out at the moment with a pinched nerve in the shoulder/neck area.
“Hopefully the next few weeks will be good to him. He’ll be getting a second opinion on that so fingers crossed.
“We are going to have to do a bit of tinkering in the front row now.
“But I think we’ve got the depth coming along nicely to cover anyone who may be out, I’m confident in our squad depth and that we’ll be able to be competitive still”.
That depth, with players across all positions stepping up when called upon, has well and truly provided a huge boost for the Blue Boars in 2021.
However, the side’s exceptional run has been inspired by skipper Matt Schwager whose best attribute (among the many he possesses) is unlocking the full potential of any player who pulls on the same coloured shirt as him.
Following several seasons on the sidelines, the returning scrum half hasn’t missed a beat this year.
“He’s outstanding,” Harley said.
“We definitely do take him for granted because he plays at a level no one else is at in the zone and you just sort of expect it from him every week now.
“Games where we’ve been under pressure like in Inverell or even big games like against Gunnedah, he’s really set the standard. I reckon he’s also made it easier for Todd (Farrer) and I to set certain standards at training and on game days.
“He’s certainly leading the young blokes well.”
Harley has named his starting 15 for Saturday’s match against Quirindi.
Replacing Baker in the number one jersey on Saturday will be Jed Brennan, who makes his own return from injury, while Will Ciesiolka will pull on the number three jersey to replace Turner and partner Brennan and Maunder in the front row.
Henri Knight (10) and Jacob Nichols (12) come back into the side which will push James Albert back to the wing and Jydon Hill back to fullback.
The starting lineup is as follows:
1. Jed Brennan, 2. Joe Maunder, 3. Will Ciesiolka, 4. Sam Knight, 5. Mitch Wheaton, 6. Nick Anderson, 7. Jack Maunder, 8. Matt McDonnell, 9. Matt Schwager, 10. Henri Knight, 11. James Albert, 12. Jacob Nichols, 13. Will McDonnell, 14. Nick Tomlinson, 15. Jydon Hill.
Saturday’s first grade game will get underway at 3.15pm in Quirindi after the Blue Boars challenge the Lions from 1.30pm in second grade.
Meanwhile, Narrabri Rugby Club’s women’s sevens side will travel to Inverell for the first of six gala days where they will take on Barraba and Gunnedah in round 10.
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