New South Wales Country co-coach Michael Bird, of Tamworth, is likely to have all his stars on deck for the Cockatoos’ round four Australian Rugby Shield match at Gilgandra on Saturday.
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The Gulargambone Rugby Club will use McGrane Oval to host the match, against the Adelaide Falcons, which is set to start at 3pm.
Among the stars in the Cockatoos team - which has already met Darwin, Perth and Melbourne in the Shield, contested by Queensland Country and a team from every other Australian state - is Orange Emus backrower Ben Wright.
Wright, a 27-year-old former Warringah first grader, was one of the Cockatoos’ best in their match against the British and Irish Lions recently and will be looking for a big match against Adelaide in his home zone.
Saturday’s match, to be played on the same day as the Wallabies’ third Test encounter with the British and Irish Lions at Stadium Australia, will be preceded by a festival of rugby action.
To start the day, a junior carnival will be held on the fields surrounding McGrane Oval featuring teams from Lightning Ridge, Coonabarabran, the Macquarie Emus and Walgett.
In the lead-up to the Cockatoos match Gulargambone officials have also organised two senior matches - one featuring the Dubbo Blue Flyers women’s team and another with a Western Plains Zone Barbarians team, and a Macquarie Emus versus Walgett junior match.
The Dubbo Rhinos are also getting involved in the Country match, and will sell raffle tickets on game day with the major prize being a 20-litre drum of Bundaberg Rum. Proceeds of the raffle will go towards the club’s support of injured player Wilson Te Whata.
Gulargambone rugby officials are hoping up to 1500 people will attend the match, with both Western Plains and Central West zones having a general bye on that weekend.
Tickets to the match can be purchased at the gate and will cost $5 each, with children under 16 admitted free. Gates will open at 9.30am.
After the match there will be a function at the Royal Hotel for players and officials, and a Bundaberg Rum promotion with plenty of prizes for fans.
The Royal will also have the big screen operating to televise the Test between the Wallabies and Lions as well as a live band.
Gulargambone rugby officials have put a big effort into organising the Cockatoos versus Adelaide event - one of the biggest the club has hosted - which also coincides with the club’s 21st anniversary celebrations this year.
The club is holding a reunion on August 18 and any ex-players who haven’t yet received an invitation should contact Darren Kennaugh on 6847 2709 (w) or email gularrugby@tpg.com.au.
SATURDAY’S PROGRAM:
McGrane Oval Gilgandra
9.30am Junior carnival on surrounding ovals
11.40am Dubbo Blue Flyers v Maitland (main oval)
1pm Western Plains invitational match
2.30pm Macquarie Emus under-10s & 12s v Walgett under-10s & 12s
3pm Country Cockatoos v Adelaide Falcons
