Woolbrook’s James Kennelly said the opportunity to play at the Australian Schoolboys Rugby Union championships last month as part of the Combined States XV was a great opportunity to play at the top level of schoolboy rugby.
Kennelly, a Year 12 student at The Armidale School, was selected for the team while playing for NSW Country Schoolboys in matches against Combined High Schools last month.
Teams from every state and territory, as well as the Combined States and an Indigenous XV, played at the tournament, held at St Ignatius College, Riverview from July 3-5.
Despite their efforts, Combined States were defeated in all four matches to Queensland I (38-5), NSW II (31-21), Western Australia (27-12) and Victoria (24-12).
“The pressure was unbelievable. We came up against very tough competition and very good players,” he said.
“However, it was a great experience to play in the Australian championships.”
