The 2017 Queensland Country Heelers Opens and Under 19 squads have been named, following the Queensland Country Championships in Bundaberg last week.
In the opens, South Queensland had a successful tournament in Bundaberg and will have 17 representatives in the 25-man Heelers squad.
Head coach Rob Johnson said: “It’s a reflection of their last few years where they’ve put back-to-back titles together. With a short program we look for combinations and obviously with their success there’s a couple of good combinations there.
“We’ve named hooker Jack Cook and two locks Lachlan Tulloch and Sam Tweedy who play club football together in Goondiwindi so that will help at lineout time.
“We’ve had a huge turnover from previous years so it’s a very new squad. There were numerous people who we hadn’t seen a great deal of but have played out of their skin.”
The Heelers will kick off their three-match tour with a match against the Queensland Premier Rugby’s Presidents XV on the 25th of June.
“It will be a great game for us. We only get into camp on the Friday with a few short sessions before that game but we’re excited to show what country Rugby is about by playing hard football right from the start.
South Queensland Under 19s ended North Queensland’s three-year Queensland Country Championship reign and have been rewarded with 15 players selected in the Queensland Country Under 19 Team.
The U19s side will also take on a Presidents XV outfit on the 25th of June, before returning to Ballymore on the 28th to play the University of Queensland Premier Colts side.
Head coach Terry Shiells said: “From my point-of-view it’s about giving young players an opportunity for people to see them play at the next level.
“I think it’s a good group. All of the boys look fit and strong and they look keen to participate.
“The next step for us as coaches is to pick the best XV. That’ll happen when we get into camp and attitude becomes a big thing at this level.”
“It’s going to be good. We don’t have a lot of time together and some guys will find it tough but there’s definitely players there who can play at the next level in the future,” he said.
Ballymore – June 25
Queensland Country Heelers v Queensland Premier Rugby President’s XV
Queensland Country Under 19 v Queensland Premier Rugby President’s U19
Ballymore – June 28
Queensland Country Heelers v North Canterbury
Queensland country Under 19 v University of Queensland Premier Colts
Newcastle – July 1
Queensland Country Heelers v NSW Country
Queensland Country Under 19 v NSW Country U19
Queensland Country Heelers Opens Team
Kyle Beakey
South Queensland
Sam Bradely
North Queensland
Jack Cook
South Queensland
Wilson Enoka
South Queensland
Stephen Finigan
South Queensland
Josh Fletcher
North Queensland
Will Gilbert
South Queensland
Matt Gicquel
South Queensland
Harry Hawker
South Queensland
Hugh Huppatz
North Queensland
Shane Kennedy
North Queensland
Kai Lowal
North Queensland
Jesse McGilvary
South Queensland
Charlie McKill
South Queensland
Kris Nielson
North Queensland
Mitch Planten
South Queensland
Tim Rodgers
South Queensland
Jay Shulte
South Queensland
John Southern
South Queensland
Kerwin Swanson
North Queensland
Lachlan Tulloch
South Queensland
James Turvey
South Queensland
Sam Tweedy
South Queensland
John Vinson
South Queensland
David West
Central Queensland
Head Coach: Rob Johnson – South Queensland
Assistant Coach: Stuart Beakey – South Queensland
Manager: Dan Bowdler – South Queensland
Physio: Jon Moses – South Queensland
Queensland Country Under 19 Team
Angus Small
North Queensland
Hahns Sperling
South Queensland
Benjamin Stewart
South Queensland
Roarke Christensen
Central Queensland
Sam Von Blankensee
South Queensland
Daniel Cooper
North Queensland
Taine Craig-Love
South Queensland
Jamieson Smith
South Queensland
Dexter Anderson
North Queensland
Dan Cover
South Queensland
Adam Berthleson
South Queensland
Reurben Olive
Central Queensland
Billy Bully
North Queensland
Lachlan Smith
North Queensland
Lachlan Sperling
South Queensland
Joe Gilbert
South Queensland
Dominic Vercoe
South Queensland
Tyler Searle
South Queensland
Stefan Vilijoen
Central Queensland
Joey Cram
North Queensland
Trent Owen
North Queensland
Rohan Gale
South Queensland
Jodezhi Gage
South Queensland
Nat Currie
South Queensland
Malachi Reweti
South Queensland
Head Coach: Terry Shiells – North Queensland
Assistant Coach: Joe Faalago – South Queensland
Development coach: Fran Lando – North Queensland
Manager: Robert Brennan – North Queensland
Physio: Leigh McCarthy
