NZ trip a stern test before country titles

Illawarra Mercury

Thursday March 31, 2011

By MIKE DRISCOLL

THE Illawarra representative under 13s will take the next step in their rugby development with an upcoming two-game tour of New Zealand.The 23-player squad crosses the Tasman on April 11 and play against leading club sides Belfast, from Christchurch, and Southern Rugby Club, based at Dunedin.It is the fourth year the Illawarra 13s have toured New Zealand and coach Brendan Schoupp expects it to be a great learning experience."As everyone knows, New Zealand is born and bred [on] rugby and it will be a great experience for the boys to play in such a strong rugby environment," Schoupp said."Previously we have played against school teams and this is the first time we are playing club sides. This tour will bring out the best in our top young players and they will get a firsthand look at how the top juniors from New Zealand go about honing their rugby skills."The timing of the tour is also critical for the Illawarra rep side ahead of the NSW Country Championships in Tamworth."We come back and the country titles are just a fortnight away," Schoupp said."Last year we reached the final and got knocked off by Newcastle and I know everyone in the team is really looking forward to getting back to the final and hopefully winning it."On an individual basis, playing well in New Zealand and at the country titles will be a stepping stone towards personal honours, Schoupp said. "Next year for the boys who turn 14 there is a chance to make the NSW Country team which would be a big honour for any player."ILLAWARRA U13S TO TOUR NZIlir Ajdari (TIGS/Uni), Ryan Anderson (Shamrocks), Sean Anese (Shamrocks), Corey Aylett (Shamrocks), Josh Constable (Shamrocks), Pete Faulks (TIGS/Uni), James Jagot (Shoalhaven), Evan Jenkins (Shamrocks), Daniel Lombardi (TIGS/Uni), Sean McHutchison (Camden), Jack Mackenzie-Wood (TIGS/Uni), Joel Meznaric (Shamrocks), George Miller (Shoalhaven), Cory Peters (Shamrocks), Daniel Quinten (Shoalhaven), Liam Rasch (Shamrocks), Rhys Robinson (Shamrocks), Blayne Sawyer (TIGS/Uni), Blake Schoupp (Shamrocks), Jesse Stewart (Camden), Harrison Stewart (Shoalhaven), Callum Waldock (Shamrocks), James Worthington (Shamrocks).