PETER Fitzsimmons is no stranger to Country Championships action but he’s never experienced it like this.
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Fitzsimmons was officially named the Central West Blue Bulls captain on Wednesday for the representative side’s Caldwell Cup campaign at Port Macquarie this weekend.
“It was a bit of a surprise,” he said.
“I’ve played with these guys for a while now but there’s a lot who have more experience at this level.
“I’m really proud to be captaining these boys up there. Hopefully we can bring back the Caldwell Cup.
“We’re looking really strong right across the park. We’ve got a large forward pack this year and a lot of strike force in the backs. If we do our jobs up front there’s a lot of guys there who can finish it off.”
Fitzsimmons said he’s confident they can get through Hunter once again and repeat their Richardson Shield and Caldwell Cup back-to-back successes of 2013 and 2014.
“It’s about building on from last year. We had a goal last year that we wouldn’t be happy with just a win in the Richardson Shield,” he said.
“I think we’ve got what it takes for us to win the Caldwell Cup if we get things right this weekend.
The Blue Bulls face Hunter at 11.30am Saturday while the Central West colts side tackles the Central Coast.
OPENS: 1 Chris Plunkett, 2 Tom Goolagong, 3 Charlie French, 4 Nick Hughes-Clapp , 5 Dan Ryan, 6 Peter Fitzsimmons (c), 7 Tom Dewhurst, 8 Nela Nela, 9 Mahe Fangupo, 10 Will Oldham, 11 Carter Hirini, 12 Zac White, 13 Filisione Pauta, 14 Tom Green, 15 AJ Sykes; Bench: 16 Jarrod Hall, 17 Adam Rayner, 18 Johnny Mafiti, 19 Lachie Harris, 20 Reuben Williams, 21 Lloyd Rogers, 22 Nathan Langilangi, 23 Israel Symington, 24 Viliame Turuva, 25 Brenton Howarth
COLTS: Felix Quinn © Clayton Anastasia, Matthew Hobbs, Corey Faucet, Simon Bayley, Angus O’Conner, Jeremey Ennis, Michael Latu, Dylan Gredka, Thomas Rowland, Campbell Morris, Fletcher Begley, Marshall Fox, Michael Bartimote, Josh Jazprizza, Billy Farriga, Viaan Osten, Aidan Baker, Isaiah Ackroyd, Sam Greatbatch, Kyle Gibson, Josh Swain, Kennan Davis, Bobby Watitty, Mark Hubbard