Registration numbers to take part in Central West Rugby Union's representative squad trials next months are burgeoning ahead of what could be one of the Blue Bull's biggest years to date.
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The Blue Bulls' men's and women's sides both face title defences at the Country Rugby Union championships after winning the men's and women's highest titles in 2019.
The CWRU will be taking a men's and women's squad overseas in the early months of 2021 following the success of the 2019 tour to New Zealand, where the side gained valuable experience and tips from the Crusaders Super Rugby club.
CWRU CEO Matt Tink said the board was still in discussions about possible destinations, but said at this early stages "nothing was off the table" in terms of locations.
"It's currently under discussion from the board but nothing's locked in," he said.
Tink said registration numbers were "really good" with a few weeks left before trials at Canowindra on February 23, with the league still yet to push the trials hard over social media and with clubs.
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He said he was pleased so many people were so eager to jump onboard early.
"A lot of them have come back from last year but positively we've had a lot of new players who've never been in the system before which is really exciting," Tink said.
"They've come from all over the place which is good because it shows people recognise it as a genuine pathway.
"It's really good to have that interest."
He said the squad would likely "obviously have a very strong chance of going across" for the 2021 international trip on top of representing the Blue Bulls at the Caldwell Cup over the long weekend.
Tink also said 2019 skipper Mark Baldwin would be involved "in some capacity" with the Blue Bulls in 2020 after doing his ACL playing touch footy.
He didn't know if Baldwin had ruled out playing but said if we wasn't on the park he'd be involved in a coaching or managerial role with the squad.
"He's a tremendous asset and he's as committed to the Blue Bulls as anyone else and he's a good human," Tink said.
"It's tough coming back from another knee but I haven't heard if he's pulled the pin."
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Max Stainkamph
Max joined the CWD in September 2017, leaving the big smoke of Melbourne to come to Orange, where he stayed until 2020.
Max joined the CWD in September 2017, leaving the big smoke of Melbourne to come to Orange, where he stayed until 2020.
