Mustangs in new comp

Opportunity closes in on DD region

RUGBY LEAGUE: Western Mustangs’ James Robinson is one step closer to his dream of playing in the NRL after the Queensland Rugby League announced its new partnership with Hastings Deering.

From March next year, Queensland’s top young players will be able to showcase their skills in the Hastings Deering Colts, a new state-wide U20s competition aligned with the Intrust Super Cup.

QRL managing director Robert Moore said it was an exciting time for up-and-coming players from the region.

“One of the real strengths of the Hastings Deering Colts is players will be able to play in a high-standard, state-wide competition without having to move from their home region, which was a regular occurrence under the previous National Youth Competition model,” he said.

Moore said while some aspects of the NYC would remain, the new competition was a huge benefit for young players to play in their home region. There will be 13 Intrust

Super Cup clubs fielding a team in the inaugural

Hastings Deering Colts season.

The Western Mustangs make up the 14-team competition and will fly the flag for Toowoomba and the

Darling Downs.

Western Mustangs U18s co-captain James Robinson said the new competition would only strengthen the bid for an Intrust Super Cup team.

“It’s very exciting actually, the prospect of getting a Q Cup team back into the competition,” he said.

“You don’t have to search too far to get quality players. We have the troops in Toowoomba to get a good enough side together.”

The 18-year-old was part of last year’s Mal Meninga premiership winning team.

For him, the new Hastings Deering Colts competition means more opportunity to play in front of NRL scouts.

“Instead of having coaches for NYC at their games they will be at the Colts competition,” Robinson said.

“That will be the main competition they get all their players from.

“Hopefully I can play some good footy get some eyes looking on me.”

The Gatton Hawks junior said the restructure of the NYC would make the new Hastings Deering Colts competition a lot stronger.

“Those NYC players from last season will filter back into the sides we’ll be playing against in Colts,” Robinson said.

PHOTO: NEV MADSEN HOME GROWN: Western Mustangs (from left) Ethan Hearn, Wade Austin and James Robinson with Queensland Rugby League managing director Robert Moore and Hastings Deerings general manager Vincent Cosgrove at the announcement of their new partnership...