By Fidelis Sukina – EMTV News, Port Moresby
The Under 23 New South Wales Countryside arrived in Port Moresby today(October 11), and had a soft training run at the National Football Stadium.
The players looked determined and breezed through plays with precision.
They are confident in their preparations, after having a trial run against the Australian Defence force team in Brisbane.
The team arrived 12:30 pm this afternoon, made up of country players around New South Wales countryside, the team is confident of a strong challenge from the local Under 23 Papua New Guinea players from the Digicel Cup.
Coach Josh Cale says it is an opportunity for the team to give a strong showing against what he described as a ‘tough built group of players’ which the Country New South Wales team expect to come strong in hit-ups and tackles.
Captain Ryle Thomas says this is a good opportunity to develop themselves as players; he is the only remaining player, who played in last years Under 23 country team that beat the Scotland World Cup side 50-14 and lost to the Samoa World Cup side 40-20.
The players mean business and have a host of former Toyota Cup under 20 players, and coaching staff made up of former NRL players, a notable one in Bulldogs premiership-winning forward, Andrew Ryan