Four of our Forbes Platypi are waking up in New Zealand today.
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Charlie French, Mahe Fangpo and Jarrod Hall are part of the Blue Bulls squad meeting in New Zealand, with Tom Macleay also with the squad as an assistant manager following a knee injury.
While the Forbes players are Blue Bulls veterans, it's the first time they've had the opportunity to take on the mighty New Zealanders.
"It's the first time in at least 20 years they've done the tour," Hall, now one of the Forbes side's player coaches, said.
The Blue Bulls will enjoy match time, including against the Canterbury University side, and the local players are looking forward to the experience.
"They're the benchmark in rugby union," Hall said.
Thirty-five men and 25 women are travelling from the Central West to New Zealand for the tour.
It's part of the sides' preparations for this year's Country Rugby Union championships, to be played in Tamworth on the June long weekend.
French says players from all over the region form the squad, encompassing Parkes right through to Narromine, Trangie and Temora.
Second placed in the 2018 championships, the Central West Blue Bulls are hoping to step up a level in this year's campaign.
On the local front, training has started and they're calling on anyone interested in donning the blue this winter to come down for training
The Blowes Clothing Cup competition proper starts on April 1.
At this stage, the Platypi side led by Hall and captain Jack Hammond with club veteran Phil Prior as coaching coordinator is looking like a younger side.
There's a number of fresh faces showing up for weekly training, but they'd still like more people to come down for a run on Thursday from 6.30pm.
"More players are more than welcome," Hall said.
The push to develop a women's rugby side is gaining momentum, with about 10 women at training last week.
Women's training is at 6.30pm Wednesdays down at the Forbes Rugby Club - all welcome.
Colts are the other group in focus for the Forbes Platypi, and indeed for most of the clubs in the competition.
Under 19s are very welcome to join the blues at training each week.
