THREE Manning Valley rugby league products have been named in Australian teams to play New Zealand in Auckland on Saturday October 13.
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Back rower Boyd Cordner from Old Bar and Taree’s Latrell Mitchell will line up for the Kangaroos while Holli Wheeler from Old Bar has been named in an 18 strong Jillaroos squad.
Cordner, 26, and Mitchell, 21, were members of the Sydney Roosters side that downed Melbourne Storm in the NRL grand final on Sunday. Mitchell was one of the try scorers in the 21-6 victory. Cordner was the co-captain.
Cordner will now captain the side in the tests against New Zealand and Tonga as Greg Inglis was stood down after being charged with drink driving and speeding on Monday when returning to Sydney from the Koori Knockout in Dubbo.
Cordner will be NSW’s first Australian captain since Taree’s Danny Buderus, who led the Kangaroos from 2004 to 2006. Cordner led NSW to a 2-1 win over Queensland in the State of Origin series this year.
Mitchell, a centre, made his State of Origin debut this season, playing in all three games in NSW’s 2-1 win. This will be his international debut.
Cordner was vice captain of last season’s World Cup winning Australian side. He has played 16 tests. He started playing rugby league when he was four in the Old Bar under sixes.
Cordner played his last game in Group Three as a member of the premiership winning Taree Red Rovers under 16s before linking with the Roosters.
Mitchell also played his early football with Red Rovers.
Wheeler will head to Port Morseby this weekend with the Prime Minister’s team for the clash against New Guinea. She has been named in an 18 strong Australian squad for the test against New Zealand.
“I just hope now I make the final 17,’’ Wheeler said.
Wheeler, a back rower, played with St George in the inaugural NRLW this year. This is just her second full season of playing rugby league.
“I had an inkling I might be a chance, but I wasn’t getting my hopes up,’’ the 28-year-old said.
She was happy with her form this season with the Dragons. Wheeler, who manages Snap Fitness Centre in Taree, drove to Sydney each week for training. She’s expecting a torrid clash against the New Zealanders.
“They’ll be tough. But I enjoy the physicality, I’m looking forward to it. That’s what I love about the game,’’ she said.
“It’s great that Latrell and Boyd have both been selected,’’ she added.
