MOREE commenced its Central North rugby title defence in fine style with a comfortable 47-15 disposal of Tamworth Magpies on Saturday.
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In a fortnight where player safety in sport has been at the forefront of everyone’s mind, the issue raised its head again at Weebollabolla Oval.
Magpies’ number eight Rhys Duncan was taken from the field on a stretcher and in a neck brace after a scrum collapsed midway through the first half.
The 20-minute delay sparked the Bulls into action as they turned a 12-5 lead at the time into a comfortable 32-point win.
Bulls coach Damien Kelly said it was satisfying to get their first win out of the way in the opening round.
“We know we’ve got a target on our head so it was pleasing to get a win first up. We have to have the mindset that all teams will be up for us.
“We didn’t start too well and were probably a little bit loose and didn’t commit to the breakdown,” he said.
Moree’s ability to change the way they played during the game was something which pleased the coach the most.
We know we’ve got a target on our head so it was pleasing to get a win first up. We have to have the mindset that all teams will be up for us.
- Damien Kelly
“The way we played at the start of the game didn’t suit the conditions so when we had that delay in play it enabled us to change things,” Kelly said.
“We probably would have done it anyway because the players knew what we were doing wasn’t working. When we scored a try from a 30-metre driving maul and then a penalty try not long after, we knew we were starting to bully them.”
Once the Moree forwards won the forward battle in the middle of the field it provided the backs with room to move out wide.
Kelly said captain Ben Colley was awarded the man of the match, Simon Hall ran the line-out tirelessly and winger Sam Bacigalupo was excellent in defence.
“Sam’s only about 50 kilos and he looks like a Monty Burns stunt double but he came up with some big hits. He was outstanding.”
Moree will travel to Gunnedah on Saturday where they will face a Red Devils side fresh from a 44-10 hammering of Walcha.