Central West coach Col Jeffs has welcomed the selection of nine Central West players in the Wesfarmers Landmark NSW Country squad for the Australian Rugby Shield.
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After Central West's 20-8 win over Central Coast in the Caldwell Cup final in Gosford on Monday, Ben Wright (Orange Emus), Geoff Koerstz (Dubbo), Sam Webster (Dubbo), Andrew Webb (Mudgee), Tony Gowing (Cowra), Nick Lavelle (Bathurst), Andrew Breen (Bathurst), Will Leader (Orange Emus) and Nik Granger (CSU Bathurst) were chosen to tour Perth and Adelaide with the Cockatoos.
"It's a great achievement and what it's all about,'' Jeffs said.
"It shows the players got something out of it.
"We had a young side with a lot of new names and it's well deserved."
Wright and Koerstz didn't play at Country Week and Central West's largely unnoticed squad overcame the odds to win their first Caldwell Cup since 1999.
Jeffs was particularly rapt with the selection of the speedy Granger and Breen, who didn't play at all last year and whose only goal at the start of the season was to regain his place in the Bulldogs' first grade team.
On Granger, who formed a dangerous wing combination with his CSU clubmate Michael Brownlee, Jeffs said: "He was outstanding ... just to see the look on his face when his name was read out. He couldn't wait to get home and tell everyone."
Jeffs felt Central West's Country contingent could have even been greater, saying skipper and five-eighth Mark Daley (Orange Emus), Parkes prop Matt McGregor and Bathurst second rower Matt Waterford were unlucky to miss out.
Jeffs said he raised a few eyebrows when he chose Daley as his five-eighth and captain at the start of the season but the three-time premiership fullback with Orange Emus was inspirational.
"He made my job so much easier and a lot of my success (as coach) comes from Dales," he said.
Jeffs said McGregor was a tower of strength up front despite playing against bigger opponents and Waterford's lineout-winning ability was a key part of the team's success.
Daley and Bathurst prop Tuma Aisake were the only survivors from the champion 1999 Central West team and the skipper said this year's victory was even sweeter.
"It's a lot better because we were a team full of guys no one expected to win," he said.
NSW Country star Lavelle, who set up tries for Brownlee and Gowing in the final, said defence had been the highlight of Central West's carnival.
"It was awesome against Central North last week and it has been all tournament," Lavelle said.
"We said from the start that defence was going to win it and the boys really muscled up in the first half and that made all the difference. Andrew Webb leads our forwards. He's very fast to the breakdown and has a huge impact on our team."
Central West will defend their Caldwell Cup crown at home next season with the carnival to be held in Forbes.
Meanwhile, former Blayney and Orange CYMS rugby league star and Orange City rugby player Dean Saddler has also been chosen for the Cockatoos.
Saddler, who represented NSW Country in league, plays his rugby with Wagga Wagga.
Former Melbourne Storm player Craig Smith was also selected for NSW Country. Smith, who plays for Albury in the Southern Inland competition, missed Country Week due to injury but his earlier season performances ensured him a spot.
NSW Country opens its campaign against Perth Gold at Subiaco Oval on June 15 before meeting Adelaide at Adelaide Oval three days later.