WorkingClassRugger
Michael Lynagh (62)
For those having difficulty with the Easts/ NSW Country partnership - any NSW Country affiliated side will train in Sydney and be mostly made up of Country origin players, most of which are playing in the SS now. Any partnership with Easts will be the same as any of the other partnerships with Easts and NSW Country having a say in the players, coaches and administration of the side.
Yes they will play games in Country venues but this isn't so bad as it brings some good standard rugby to those areas (Central West NSW - Dubbo, Bathurst and Orange - is a big Rugby area and one area where the game is growing and competing well against Country RL).
I think its a smart move as in this partnership they will have a leading role in the partnership and will be better placed than having to come to grips with existing "troubles" between them and other Sydney based sides. Also, NSW Country can possibly come to the party with financing and will be happy to create some form of relationship with a Sydney side - a possible pathway for promising Country players to enter teh SS
I happy to hear NSW Country are looking to get in on the action and that they will be taking their games to the country itself. It would provide a real point of difference to other codes where the country is severely underrepresented.