AN early end to the Country Rugby League’s representative season will mean Group Three and Group Two under 23s won’t clash in the North Coast trial next year.
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Instead both groups will nominate players to make up the North Coast squad.
Group Three chairman Wayne Bridge said the players who represented Group Three 23s this year will be contacted soon to confirm their availability for 2019.
The CRL will play all representative matches in under 16s, 18s, 23s and women in the one time frame next year, with preliminary matches on March 9 and 16. March 23 will be set aside for washed out fixtures if required, with semi-finals on March 30 and the finals on April 7.
“That doesn’t give us any time to play a Group Three/Group Two game,’’ Mr Bridge said.
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The opening round of the 2019 Group Three season is April 6. Eight Group Three players were in last season’s North Coast under 23s. Wingham’s Jake Mullen will be the only player too old next year. Mr Bridge explained that satellite training sessions will be held early next year, with the Group Three players meeting at Port Macquarie or Wauchope and the Group Two contingent in Coffs Harbour. A North Coast squad would be named mid-February. Mr Bridge hopes clubs would contact the group concerning any players coming into the area who would be considered up to representative standard.
