The stories and tall tales will be flowing thick and fast when Westpac NSW Blues coach Laurie Daley, True Blues Robbie Farah, Ben Elias, Paul Sironen, Paul Langmack and David Brooks, join Warriors Chief Executive Cameron George at a Sportsman’s Lunch to kick off the NSWRL Regional Magic Round from 9-11 May.
Daley was appointed last year for his second term as NSW coach after his first stint included steering the Blues to an inspirational win in 2014 to end Queensland’s eight-year grip on the State of Origin Shield, with Farah representing his state in all three games for that series.
Daley was also the first NSW captain to lead the Blues to three consecutive series wins in 1992-1994 with Sironen and Elias among his teammates. Langmack played four games for NSW while Brooks represented the Blues in 1985. He also played several seasons for Tamworth before joining the Balmain Tigers.
Brooks, who was also a Tigers product, was born in Walcha and played for the Australian Schoolboys in 1979 while attending McCarthy Catholic High School in Tamworth.
George also has an affinity with the country music capital, having been born and raised in Casino and started his working career as a racing steward in Tamworth, while the Warriors were based there in 2020-21 after the NRL competition was disrupted by COVID.
Daley (Canberra Raiders), Elias and Sironen (Balmain Tigers), and Langmack (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs) will also have plenty of war stories to share from when they opposed each other on the field in the NSWRL Premiership during the 1980s and 1990s.
Tickets for the event on Friday 9 May at Wests Tamworth, which includes a two-course lunch and drinks, start from $160 for a single, or $1500 for a table of 10.
“The Sportsman’s Lunch is a perfect way to kick-off the NSWRL Regional Magic Round as it brings together some of the legends who have played our great game,” NSWRL Chief Executive David Trodden said.
“They all have a wealth of experience from their respective clubs as well as representative level and have no shortage of entertaining stories from when they took the field.
“I encourage everyone to come along and support what will be a perfect start to a great weekend that showcases and celebrates Rugby League.”
The NSWRL Regional Magic Round will feature 11 games from the state’s premier competition, The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup, and the regional Group 4 competition.
Tickets for the matches start from as little as $5 for children, $10 for adults and $20 for a family of four, with three-day packages also available. There will be five games of The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup, and six Group 4 matches that will showcase both the men’s and women’s games.
Two matches from The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup will be played on Saturday, Penrith Panthers v Western Suburbs Magpies, and the Newcastle Knights v last year’s Grand Finalists North Sydney Bears. The Sunday games will feature 2024 Premiers Newtown Jets v St George Dragons, Manly Warringah Sea Eagles v Sydney Roosters and Parramatta Eels v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.
A Group 4 Women’s Tackle competition match will be played on Friday to determine third place, before Saturday’s Grand Final. The Group 4 games to be played include Werris Creek Magpies v Gunnedah Bulldogs (Friday), Moree Boars v Dungowan Cowboys (Saturday), Narrabri Blues v Kootingal-Moonbi Roosters (Saturday), and Boggabri Kangaroos v North Tamworth Bears (Sunday).
Click here to purchase tickets for the Sportsman’s Lunch
Click here to purchase tickets for the NSWRL Regional Magic Round
