By MATT NICHOLLS
CAPTION: Hastings Valley Vikings rugby union captain is in line to play against the touring British and Irish Lions on 11 June. Picture: FAB PHOTOS
ADAM McCormack has one sleep to go to find out if he’s selected in the final team to take on the British and Irish Lions on 11 June.
The Hastings Valley Vikings rugby union skipper and halfback has been one of the stars for the NSW Country Cockatoos this season and was last week named in a 43-man Combined NSW-Qld squad to take on the touring Lions.
Should McCormack get the nod tomorrow, he will not only line up with several capped Wallabies, but he’ll play against the cream of the crop from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.
“It’s a bit of a shock, really,” McCormack said.
“I have been playing well for the Cockatoos, but this would be a career highlight, for sure.”
The 26-year-old school teacher said he hadn’t give up hope of playing at a higher level.
“It’s not something you really think about, but if I was given an opportunity I would take it with both hands,” he said.
Although just 23 of the 43-man squad will make the final cut, McCormack’s hopes a bolstered by the fact that he is only one of two halfbacks up for selection.
Tamworth-raised Michael Snowden, who plays for the Western Force, will be vying with McCormack for the number-9 jersey.
“They might even pick to halfbacks,” McCormack said.
“I haven’t spoken to the coach (Cam Blades) yet, but even playing off the bench would be great.”
McCormack will train with the Cockatoos tonight and will most likely find out his place in the combined team tomorrow morning.
The 43-man squad contains 18 players contracted to Super Rugby teams, 11 players from Premier Club Rugby and seven players each from the current NSW and Queensland country teams.
Keen to put out as strong a team as possible against the Lions in Newcastle on 11 June, Blades has a potential Test-calibre front row to build upon, with capped props Dan Palmer, Ben Daley, Greg Holmes and Nic Henderson in the squad.
Queensland Reds flanker, who is also a capped Wallaby, is also in the squad.
The squad goes into camp in Newcastle next Thursday.
