Riverina reboot for Country Championships campaign

New coach James Luff has named his squad for next year's representative season with plenty of fresh faces within the group.

Less than half of the squad were part of Riverina's surprise semi-final exit this year.

However despite plenty of changes, Luff is thrilled with those who have committed to the campaign.

"I think it's a really good squad and there's no player there I can see that I'm missing out on," Luff said.

"I think I've got the best players I can see available."

Nathan Rose headlines the returning faces to the side.

The former Country representative was not part of last year's squad, but Luff is thrilled to have him on board.

Especially with the Tigers set to dominate the side's spine with Luff, Rose, Derek Hay and Latrell Siegwalt all part of the 21-man squad.

"It is great to have Rosey on board and not only has he played Country Firsts in the past but he's a real general," Luff said.

"It's actually a Gundagai spine so that will be very handy to have a few combinations there."

There is a bigger Group 20 representation this season, but Group Nine players still fill up 15 of the places.

After sharing this year's best and fairest award Leeton coach Hayden Philp and Griffith Black and Whites counterpart Andrew Lavaka are part of the squad.

As is Lavaka's younger brother Uafu, who spent time with Penrith, Parramatta and Manly.

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"I'm happy to have a good mix of Group 20 players, obviously all picked off reputation as I haven't seen them all play with no Kelly Cup but I've heard good things about them all," Luff said.

Hooker is one area the Bulls will have plenty of depth with Luff, Lachlan Bristow and Andrew Lavaka all primary dummy halves.

However Luff believes the utility factor is an important component of the side.

"Lachlan Bristow is a game changer and one of the best players in the comp and fills such a versatile role I just had to have him in the side," he said.

"There are a lot of hookers in the team and I would like to find a role for all of them and that's why I picked a bigger squad to have a look at players in different positions.

"In pre-season competitions people always have things on so.

"If I've still got those 21 blokes when the time comes around I'll be pretty surprised."

Riverina starts their campaign up against West Tigers on February 28 before hosting Illawarra South Coast the following week.

The Dragons knocked the Bulls out of contention last season.

The Bulls will have a couple of training sessions in the lead up with Albury's Jake Olam the only new addition to the region who is part of the squad.

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