WEST S ADDLES UP F OR TRIP OF A LIFETIME
COMPARING rugby union in New Zealand and Argentina is like comparing chalk and cheese, and Townsville’s Russell West will experience both during his footy trip of a lifetime.
West ( pictured) has gained a place on the Australian Stockman’s squad touring New Zealand and Argentina, and while he has travelled with the team previously, this tour will be the most challenging.
The squad travels to New Zealand this weekend to play a pair of games against provincial teams, then flies to Argentina to play games in Mendoza, Rosario and Buenos Aires.
“It’s really unique, especially Argentina,” West said.
“We’ve been getting advice from professional players from the Queensland Reds and Brumbies, and they’re all telling us how great it’s going to be and what we can expect.
“Travelling to places like Argentina isn’t something that everyone gets to do.
“You’re going somewhere where you don’t speak the language, so it’s going to be a different experience.”
West started his rugby playing for the Charters Towers Bulls, and then went over to his current club North Ward after moving to Townsville for work.
He has played representative rugby for Townsville and North Queensland, and in 2015 was part of the Australian Stockman tour of Ireland which was featured in a documentary narrated by Wallabies great John Eales.
The Stockman team tours internationally every two years and helps give young people from rural and regional Australia the opportunity to develop their athletic careers.
West will reunite with five former Stockman teammates, who will be joined by ex- Wallaby Guy Shepherdson and players from the National Rugby Championship.
The squad might not be playing against the All Blacks, but as the rugby saying goes, there’s no such thing as a weak New Zealand team.
“I’ve played in New Zealand a couple of times and it’s all at a high standard,” West said.
“It will be good to start off in New Zealand first because you’re playing at that high standard, but in Argentina they play a completely different type of game. It will be a great challenge.”