Defending NRC Champions Confirm 2018 Squad

Defending NRC Champions Confirm 2018 Squad

The Queensland Rugby Union has announced the Queensland Country squad and coaching staff that will defend their National Rugby Championship title this year.


 
The 36-man squad features 19 current Queensland Reds, many of whom have progressed from the 2017 Queensland Country Championship squad to make their Reds and Super Rugby debuts in 2018, including Teti Tela and Angus Blyth, who both made their debuts against the Sunwolves in the Reds final match of the season.


 
The remaining 17 players have been drawn from Queensland Premier Rugby. With the University of Queensland, GPS, Easts and Souths set to compete in the semi-finals this weekend, a total of 17 players from the squad will be in action from across the four clubs.


 
The three nominated Wallabies who will be part of the squad include Taniela Tupou, Izack Rodda and Caleb Timu, all of whom have progressed from the Queensland Country NRC pathway onto higher honours.


 
Eleven players from the 36-man squad trace their roots to country Queensland, with players including Harry Hoopert (Jondaryn), Duncan Paia’aua (Rockhampton) and Tate McDermott (Sunshine Coast) having progressed through Queensland Rugby’s pathway from regional schools and clubs.
 



In addition to the 36-man squad, 2018 Queensland Country Heelers players Jack Cook (hooker) and Will Gilbert (scrumhalf), both from the Goondiwindi Emus, have been invited to join the group as development players.
 
The side will be coached by Rod Seib, current Queensland Schoolboys head coach and Bond University Premier Grade assistant coach. Seib comes into the role with a wealth of experience, having spent many years as head coach at Sunnybank Rugby club, before forming part of the Brisbane City NRC program as both an assistant coach in 2014 and 2015, before becoming head coach in 2016. 
 
Seib will be joined by former Fijian international and current Souths assistant coach Moses Rauluni and Reds Senior Video Analyst Michael Todd in the coaching staff.  
 



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