AUSTRALIAN rugby's gain could be Dubbo's loss with the members of the NSW Waratahs team unlikely to be with the national squad when it arrives here next Monday.
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Coach Ewan McKenzie and the Wallabies are taking part in the Bush2Bledisloe tour in the lead-up to their clash with the New Zealand All Blacks on August 16 and next week they will visit Dubbo before continuing on to Orange, Bathurst and Penrith.
But with the Waratahs taking on the Crusaders in Saturday night's Super Rugby final it seems unlikely they will be on a plane to Dubbo less than 48 hours later.
Australian Rugby Union western region development manager Mark DeBrincat has been working closely with the Wallabies as they plan their trip to the bush and admitted it would be disappointing to miss out on seeing the Waratahs. However, he said a NSW victory on Saturday night would still result in a huge boost to an already exciting time in the sport.
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"We're not 100 per cent sure at the moment but it's likely the Waratahs will be given two or three days off," he said.
"Unfortunately it looks like they won't be in Dubbo or Orange and will join the squad in Bathurst.
"But a win for them on Saturday night will add some more real interest."
Despite local fans not getting the opportunity to see the likes of Israel Folau, Kurtley Beale, Will Skelton and national captain Michael Hooper, DeBrincat said it would only be fair to the Waratahs players, who are looking to claim their first title.
He added the Bush2Bledisloe program was still an incredible opportunity for rugby fans throughout the central west, with Dubbo set to witness a whole day and night of Wallabies-related action.
The Bledisloe trophy itself will arrive early on Monday and be on display during visits to St Mary's and Dubbo West primary schools before stopping off at the rotunda in Macquarie Street.
All eyes will then be on the Wallabies when they arrive and host an open training session at Caltex Park.
This session will also involve plenty of games and activities to engage the fans.
After an autograph and photo session the Wallabies will then move on to No. 1 Oval and run a junior club training session with the Dubbo Roos' Red and Blue under 13s and 15s sides as well as the Roos and Wellington under 17s teams.
This will be followed by a training session with senior squads from the area. The Dubbo Roos, Dubbo Rhinos Gold and the Narromine Gorillas will all get the chance to learn from the national side in the lead up to their own local finals.
A question-and-answer session and an official dinner are just two of the activities which will occur with the Wallabies on Monday night.
"Ewan McKenzie said it recently but it's a unique trip, the team is going to the fans when it's usually the other way around," DeBrincat said.
"That's a really creditable effort and it should be good, I'm excited for it.
"We've been given the opportunity to see them on our doorstep and I'm sure there will be good crowds and good spirit."