By MATT NICHOLLS
CAPTION: Same pic as last week. Maybe use as headshot.
ADAM McCormack is still pinching himself after he was picked for the combined Country team to take on the British and Irish Lions on Tuesday night.
The Hastings Valley Vikings co-coach will take the field at Hunter Stadium and do battle with the best talent the United Kingdom has to offer.
“It still hasn’t sunk in, but I’m really looking forward to it,” McCormack said.
“We go into camp (today) and I’m sure it’s going to be full-on between now and the game.”
McCormack was rewarded after a stellar campaign with the NSW Country Cockatoos team and was one of two half-backs picked to take on the Lions.
It’s likely that McCormack will play a support role to Western Force playmaker Michael Snowden, who is originally from Tamworth.
“I don’t know how many minutes I’ll get, but I’m sure they’ll give everyone a run,” McCormack said.
“The thing I’m looking forward to most is testing myself against the best. This will be a good chance to see where I am at.”
The team of 23 is made up of 10 Super Rugby players, four Premier Club Rugby players, five Queensland Country players and four NSW Country players.
The combined Country team will be coached by Cam Blades, with support coming from Cockatoos coach Col Jeffs and Queensland Country coach Garrick Morgan.
Jeffs told the Port Macquarie Independent this week that he pushed for McCormack’s selection.
“His form for us has been outstanding. He probably only had one game where he was dominant, but even then he still has a good game,” Jeffs said.
“As an amateur, there is no bigger test than playing the Lions.
“I’m sure Adam will do a good job for us.”
A busload of McCormack’s Vikings team-mates will make the trek to Newcastle on Tuesday night, while family members and peers are also making the journey to watch.
“I’ve been overwhelmed with all the messages and phone calls,” McCormack said.
“Hopefully I can do a good job on the field.”
The squad: Rikki Abraham (Qld Country), Dale Ah-Wong (Qld Country), Phoenix Battye (Western Force), Jarrad Butler (Queensland Reds), Lewie Catt (NSW Country), Tom Cox (Brumbies), Tim Davidson (Melbourne Rebels), Trent Dyer (Melbourne Rebels), Blake Enever (Queensland Reds), Dylan Evans (NSW Country), Alex Gibbon (Southern Districts, Sydney), Ben Greentree (NSW Country), Haydn Hirsimaki (Qld Country), Tom Kearney (Qld Country), Josh Mann-Rae (Brumbies), Adam McCormack (NSW Country), Tim Metcher (Southern Districts, Sydney), Angus Roberts (Melbourne Rebels), Beau Robinson (Queensland Reds), Tereta- Junior Siakisini (Qld Country), Michael Snowden (Western Force), Richard Stanford (Eastern Suburbs, Sydney), Nathan Trist (Sydney University).
