AFTER months of preparation, both on and off the field, the Shoalhaven Barbarians will finally go toe-to-toe with the Samoan Schoolboys side this Friday at Rugby Park.
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The match, which will mark the first time in 30 years an international rugby union side has come to the Shoalhaven to play, is part of the Samoan's NSW tour, which will see them also visit Canberra and Bathurst before their match against the Australian Schoolboys next month.
Coach of the side, Daniel Toole from Nowra Anglican College, is excited the game is finally here.
"Preparations have been going really well - we've had a number of training sessions, including our last one on Friday," Toole said.
"Twenty-four of the boys were there ripping in, showing how committed they are to this once in a lifetime opportunity."
During these sessions, Toole and his side, headlined by NAC students Chris Ireland, Ethan Mosely, Kaylam Tytherleigh, Maximillien Goode, Angus Ellem, Connor Tytherleigh, Cooper Jessep, Kian Shepherd, Cooper Thomson, Lachlan Sutton and Aidan Wearne, have developed a game plan to give themselves the best chance of victory from 6.30pm on Friday.
"The plan is to get the ball wide, to our outside backs, as much as possible," he said.
"Although the wet conditions might make it difficult, we believe that's our best chance of winning - as my team is very fit and fast.
"They're [Samoa] are going to be a big team, so hopefully we can try and wear them out in the first half, before putting on some points in the second half."
Rounding out Toole's side for the special occasion are Shoalhaven Rugby Club's Zeb Maddinson, Matthew Stewart, Blake Gurney, Tate Winning, Ky Lucas and Jet Fraser, Bomaderry High School's Louie Chilver, Vincentia High School's Mitch Ireland, Kiama High School's Blake Curls, The Illawarra Grammar School's Sebastian Di Noro, Covenant Christian School's Ben Watkins, Belmont Christian College's Nicholas Benn and Shire Christian School's Turoa Williams.
"There's a real buzz around the school and rugby circles about this match - it's going to be one of those events people talk about for a long time," Toole said.
"It's been slowly building for 12 months (since the announcement) and I'm sure the Shoalhaven region will get around it on Friday."
The night will kick-off at 5.45pm with a girls rugby sevens match between NAC and The Illawarra Grammar School before the schoolboys clash at 6.30pm.
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Courtney Ward
Sports Journalist for South Coast Register and Milton-Ulladulla Times, who loves all things sport and travel. All views are my own.
Sports Journalist for South Coast Register and Milton-Ulladulla Times, who loves all things sport and travel. All views are my own.
