WHEN coaching a representative team which covers a large area the biggest challenge is preparation and getting players from a number of different clubs to gel on and off the field.
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The Western Rams have battled that issue for years but under-16s coach Bernard Wilson feels his side is more than ready for this weekend's Country Championships after a number of sessions together.
"I think if you want to be a chance then you need to make sacrifices and we've done that by training every week and that's meant travelling but the parents have been great and got to Manildra each week," Dubbo-based Wilson said.
"The application has been terrific and they're a great bunch of players."
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While pleased with his side's lead up for today's clash with the Bidgee Bulls at Muswellbrook, Wilson is well aware how difficult the match will be against who he believes is the favourite to take out the Country Championships.
"Every game is tough, there's no doubt about that," he said.
"We respect that and they're the leading side at the moment, talent wise, but we're confident in the ability of our boys and we're there to win."
Wilson said a lot of the selection in his Rams team came down to the defensive ability of players, something he said will be vital to his side's chances tomorrow.
He highlighted South Dubbo hooker Kane McDermott as a key player while McDermott's club teammates Jai Merritt, Jake Davis, Kaidyn Hopkins and Clayton Couley are also in the team, along with St Johns' Bayden Searle.
"I think defensively across the board," Wilson replied when asked the strengths of his tram.
"The kids are tough enough to keep turning up and they're a good group defensively.
"If we can defend hard then our attack will roll off that, we've got to stay consistent and patient."
In terms of other key players, Wilson highlighted Bathurst St Pat's five-eighth Adam Fearnley as the team's dominant half while Parkes-based lock Darby Medlyn is another who Wilson said is important to the style of game he wants to play.
The Rams take on Bidgee at Muswellbrook's at Olympic Park at 10.25am today, following on from the earlier under-18s game.
WESTERN RAMS UNDER-16s: 1. Moung Dut (Orange CYMS), 2. Ethan Kennedy (Orange CYM), 3. Craig Tarr (Orange CYMS), 4. Jai Doolan (Cowra), 5. Aiden Kilburn (Bathurst St Pats), 6. Adam Fearnley (Bathurst St Pats), 7. Jai Merritt (South Dubbo), 8. Bradley Gaut (Red Bend), 9. Kane McDermott (South Dubbo), 10. Aydon Howland (Lithgow Storm), 11. Jack Davis (St Johns, Dubbo), 12. Kaidyn Hopkins (South Dubbo), 13. Darby Medlyn (Parkes Marist). Interchange: 14. Bayden Searle (St Johns, Dubbo), 15. Clayton Couley (South Dubbo), 16. Brodie King (Condobolin), 17. Charles Bible (Narromine), 18. Luke Gale (Gilgandra).