The matches were played as a lead-up to the Country Championships which are set to begin on February 16, 2019, and Canberra Region Rugby League’s Community Engagement Sporting Officer, Chris Anderson, said that he was very impressed by what he saw from the juniors who took to the field. 

“It was pretty tough conditions down there, it was really hot,” Anderson said. 

“The boys were very willing, they all played really well, showed really good signs. We probably picked up a few things which we didn’t know on some boys, but it was a really good hit-out for us.”

The trial matches ended with a loss for the Under 16’s and a draw for the Under 18’s, but Anderson said that the selectors were not concerned with results so much as what they saw from the players, and he confirmed that it was all positive signs.  

“I think we’ve assembled two pretty good teams for both the 16’s and the 18’s, so we’re really looking forward to it,” Anderson said. 

“Probably for the bottom-age boys, the 16’s, this is their first time at these championships so it’s a bit of an unknown for those guys, but with the 18’s we’ve had some boys who were in the side last year so they’re a bit better prepared going into it. I think we’ve got two really strong squads.” 

The strength of the squads, Anderson believes, is a result of the strength of rugby league in the region in general. 

“We had over 300 kids come and trial for the academy at the start of the year, which is phenomenal numbers,” he said. 

“I think the systems are working well with the pathways … the kids have got the opportunity there for them so long as they come along and do the right thing and put their best foot forward, you don’t know where it could lead them.” 

Anderson also thanked Rod Latham and Matt Craig for their “absolutely first class” preparation of the Workers Arena. 

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