NSWRL TV caught up with the NSW Under-18s ahead of their clash with QLD tonight.
The Newcastle Knights dynamic halves duo – Jack Cogger and Brock Lamb – are ready to steer the NSW Under-18s Team to victory with a bond as strong off the field as it is on the field.
It’s a special opportunity made even greater for the talented youngsters who are able to share the experience together at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground.
“We saw it yesterday and It’s a lot bigger than I thought,” Lamb said.
“It helps a lot having Jack (Cogger) in the team because we know how each other plays and we work really well together. It helps, especially when coming into big games and there’s a lot of pressure on the line.”
Cogger and Lamb have plenty of experience playing together all season in the Newcastle Knights Under-20s Holden Cup side after gaining selection in the Australian Schoolboys side last year.
“We’ve been through the Under-15s, 16s, 18s and now the Under-20s with the Knights; we’ve played together regularly nearly five years,” Lamb said. “Pretty much my whole career has been spent with Jack in the halves with me since I started when I was 11 years old.”
Their electric combination has played a major part of the team’s game plan for their match against their Queensland counterparts. However, it’s their control and composure under pressure that separates them from the rest.
Cogger and Lamb display a maturity that generates a lot of excitement about the potential of the promising youngsters.
“I’m looking to stay in the moment and do my individual job in taking control within my position to make sure everyone knows what to do,” Cogger said. “In a way, it’s a big game but you’ve got to play it like it’s your own game. We’ll try not to be overwhelmed and stick to what got us here in the first place.”
“Jack and I will keep the team organised, kick into the corners and build up pressure,” Lamb said. “That’s what it’s all about; the more pressure we can build, the easier we will score points.”
With Cogger and Lamb leading the team, there is no wonder NSW is so confident of earning bragging rights over Queensland in the Under-18s clash at 5:45pm tonight.
The battle between our NSW under-18s and the Queensland counterparts will be live streamed here
Kick-off is at 5:45pm - and the best place to watch the match is here at NSWRL.com.au
The match will feature commentary from Peter Jolly and Terry Liberopoulos.
Get behind the future NSW Origin side and witness history!
Click here for photos of the Under-18s Captain's Run and click here for player-by-player information on those junior stars running out for the NSW side in tonight's clash.
Answer the call and get behind the NSW VB Blues when they take on Queensland in this year’s Holden State of Origin, with Game II played on 17 June in Melbourne. Coach Laurie Daley and the boys need your support! There’s no better way to support the Blues than being a part of The Star-backed Blatchys Blues crowd - join the Official NSW VB Blues supporter bays for Origin II here.
