New representative coaches Richard Skellern and Seru Rogo have a better idea of the make up of the Southern Inland team following the first representative fixture of the year on Saturday.
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The pair were rivals as SIRU Rams took on SIRU Redbacks in warm conditions before the Super Rugby trial and it was Skellern’s side who finished the better.
The Rams came away with a 31-14 win at Equex Centre.
There was little between the two teams early on before the Rams drew away at the finish.
Skellern was impressed by both team’s effort early in the season.
“I thought all the boys played really well on both sides, so it’s made it really hard for Seru and myself to select a really good squad,” he said.
“We will have our work cut out for us next week.”
With the match played in 22-minute thirds, it was was a see-sawing affair until the third interval.
Mitch Fealy opened the scoring late in the first stanza for the Wagga-based teams before the sides went try for try until the Rams were finally able to get on top late.
Matt Meggison scored with a minute left in the second period to hand his team a 19-14 lead before the Rams accelerated.
Tries to James Daley and Tanian Naude ensured the Rams team would claim honours for the second year running.
Plenty of attack was on display for those with one of the highlights being a try to Matt Shortis halfway through the match. He was on the end of an 80-metre team effort started after Hamish Wrafter slipped out of a tackle from the 22 before finding Shortis, who had too much speed on his outside.
While only early in the season Skellern expects to have another strong year.
“We have very good program this year and I think the rep side is looking very good,” he said.
SIRU RAMS 31 (Mitch Fealy, Matt Shortis, Matt Meggision, James Daley, Tanian Naude tries; James Curgenven 2, Steve Tracey cons) d SIRU REDBACKS 14 (Chris Latu, Reid Jackson tries; Stuart Dyer, Christino Manuelavo cons)
