Group Nine under 23s team named to tackle Group 20

Group Nine have named their under 23s representative team to tackle Group 20 in the Kelly Cup later this month.

In a change of date, the traditional clash between the two Riverina competitions will be held in Griffith on September 22.

New coach Tim Humphries is happy with the team named.

“I think the team is pretty solid,” Humphries said.

“It is a fast, fit-looking side and I’m pretty happy with the selections and I think we will do pretty good.”

The game is a selection trial for Riverina’s Country Championships campaign next year.

The change is part of another restructure of representative rugby league.

This year the seniors was scrapped for the move to under 23s.

Now the plan is for the under 23s, plus the Andrew Johns Cup for the under 18s and Laurie Daley Cup for under 16s, to be played before the start of the Group Nine season with extra games added in.

Humphries believes it will be a good fit.

“Clubs sign players and want them to play club football and I think this is a good opportunity to experience something different this year,” he said.

“We can see if it works and the season is over so there are no club commitments.

“I think it is a good opportunity to try something different.

“I don’t know what the process is after that, and whether they re-evaluate it, but I think it is a good process.”

All 10 clubs have at least one player selected.

Brothers and Tumut lead the way with three each but Humphries believes there is a good mix of the region’s best young talent.

Weissel Medal winner Zac Masters headlines the side but he isn’t expected to play in the rematch of the 66-6 thumping by Group Nine at Equex Centre in April due to Country representative duties.

A training session will be held at Paramore Park on September 19.

GROUP NINE UNDER 23S