The 22-0 score line in favour of the Bulls impressed the coaching staff and was a reflection of the ‘pride and passion’ they were searching for from the squad.

“We are very big on attitude and wanting to play for the Blue Bulls and they certainly showed that today,” McRobert said.

“They are following in the footsteps of some fantastic players from the local area and we really wanted to impress to them that playing for the Blue Bulls is an enormous honour and something they want to aspire to. They did today and it was particularly pleasing.”

McRobert highlighted his side’s defence and intensity throughout the game in hot conditions as a symbol of their intent this year and a good sign of things to come.

“We wanted to gauge whether what we’d been drumming into them for the past five or six weeks was there,” he said.

“We gave them very simple instructions and we wanted to see them executed.”

For the most part that’s what the Blue Bulls did.

Playing with the ball in hand was identified as one area of weakness.

“For the number of changes we made throughout the game our attack was understandably disjointed but we saw some really good things.” McRobert said.

“Work at the breakdown needs polish but again, not having played together before, it is always going to be a little dodgy to start.”

The Blue Bulls coaching staff now has the unenviable task of culling 10 players from the 35-man squad before they travel to Queanbeyan in two weeks time for the second of their trials.

This won’t necessarily be the final squad of 25 for the Country Championships.

That will be decided following the Parramatta trial in Bathurst the week after Queanbeyan.

“In terms of what we saw today we really can’t fault anybody on their effort or their enthusiasm. It was very encouraging. They did themselves and their clubs proud too.”