Wollongong Touch Association’s state reps at this weekend’s State of Origin, from left, Emma Tonegato, Rachel Beck, Maddy Fisher, Cara Zaremski, Jess McCall, Bianca Mounsey and Annette Mounsey
Fourteen Wollongong Touch Association players will line up for NSW at the two-day State of Origin in Port Macquarie.
Proudly flying the flag for the Wollongong club in the open divisions will be Jessica McCall, Bianca Mounsey, Terry Deegan, Cara Zaremski and Michael Chapman.
Rachel Beck, Rebecca Mounsey, Maddy Fisher and Emma Tonegato will play for the under-20 women, while Brad Hayes and Luke Tonegato are in the under-20 men’s side.
Wollongong’s other state reps are Mate Hope (men’s 30s), Annette Mounsey (women’s 40s) and Paul Dallas (men’s 50s).
Of the previous nine Origin series, NSW have won six.
The bi-annual tournament gets under way today and wraps up tomorrow.
In another boost for WTA, Jacob Bresolin is lining up with the NSW under-18 development team for this weekend’s National Youth Championships, also being held at Port Macquarie.
‘‘It’s great to see so many young players making their mark on the NSW touch scene through state selection,’’ WTA’s Jared Constable said.
‘‘We’ve got six representatives across the women’s and men’s 20s as well as Jacob in the 18s boys. This is indicative of a real purple patch our club has been experiencing over the last five or so years.
‘‘What makes this series more important is that we have a couple of family connections going up to Port. Brother and sister pairing Luke and Emma Tonegato are both in the 20s teams, and sisters Rebecca and Bianca Mounsey will be well looked after all week with mum Annette also in camp.
‘‘We’re proud to be sending these players away and we wish them the best.’’
