Narrabri Blue Boars Rugby Club played host to the first Santos Festival of Rugby. The festival highlight was a Super Rugby AU pre-season trial between the NSW Waratahs and Queensland Reds.
Also featured was the Aussie7s Mens Sevens team playing in a tournament against NSW, QLD and Pasifika as part of their preparation for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. a Community Women's Sevens tournament and Coaching Clinic rounded out the weekend
Waratahs v Reds Trial Game
Covid-19 restrictions reduced both teams to only only pre-season trial before the 2021 Super Rugby AU season. Both teams took the opportunity to give their fringe players a chance to impress the coaches before the start of the season proper. It was also rugby fans first chance to see high-profile Melbourne Storm NRL recruit, Suliasi Vunivalu, in action
The game itself was an entertaining match, with the Queensland Reds taking the early lead, before being overtaken by the Waratahs. The Reds got back in the lead in the 3rd Quarter before the Waratahs scored 2 late tries to take out a 45-33 win, as well as collecting the Santos Cup and a $25,000 winners cheque.
Gallery
Teams
NSW
1 Sio Tatola
2 David Porecki
3 Harry Johnson-Holmes
4 Michael Wood
5 Sam Caird
6 Hugh Sinclair
7 Charlie Gamble
8 Will Harris
9 Jack Grant
10 Tane Edmed
11 Triston Reilly
12 Tepai Moeroa
13 Alex Newsome
14 Mark Nawaqanitawase
15 Max Bury
REPLACEMENTS
16. Tom Horton
17. Angus Bell
18. Te Tera Faulkner
19. Jeremy Williams
20. Carlo Tizzano
21. Jake Gordon
22. Joey Walton
23. Jack Maddocks
24. Will Harrison
25. Izaia Peresi
26. Max Douglas
27. Chris Talakai
28. Jack Whetton
Queensland
Frontrow
Richie Asiata
Matt Faessler
Feao Fotuaika
Harry Hoopert
Josh Nasser
Zane Nonggorr
Dane Zander
Locks/Backrow
Ben Grant
Fraser McReight
Ryan Smith
Tuaina Taii Tualima
Sam Wallis
Liam Wright
Seru Uru
Halves
Lawson Creighton
Bryce Hegarty
Moses Sorovi
Kalani Thomas
Centres/Outside Backs
Jock Campbell
Hudson Creighton
Filipo Daugunu
Ilaisa Droasese
Mac Grealy
Hamish Stewart
Suliasi Vunivalu
Sevens Tournament
Aussie7s Mens Coach Tim Walsh faces a tough task preparing his team for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, with international travel restrictions shutting down the 2020-2021 HSBC World Series Sevens tournament, and preventing lead-up games against International opponents.
Instead, a several round tournament has been organised against NSW and Queensland State Sevens teams, as well as an Pasifika Invitational team. Narrabri played host to one of these rounds as part of the Santos Festival of Rugby.
The Aussie7s Men's team went through the tournament undefeated, but were pushed hard on several occasions, including a 12-all draw against QLD, winning with a extra time golden point try. On less positive news, flyer Henry Hutchison suffered a hamstring injury, putting his Olympic preparation in doubt
Gallery
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