As part of the National Rugby League’s Road to Regions program, stars from the sport have hit the region for a series of events.
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Parramatta’s Tim Mannah, West Tigers’ Robbie Rochow and WNRL player and Australian Jillaroo Corban McGregor formed the trio which touched down in Armidale on Monday morning.
McGregor has been playing league for five years and has played as a Jillaroo, for NSW in State of Origin and for the Sydney Roosters in the 2018 women’s NRL premiership.
Women’s rugby league one of the fastest growing areas in the sport and will make its debut in the Country Championships this year.
McGregor was enthusiastic about touching base with the sport in regional areas and encouraging more women and girls to take up contact rugby league.
“I am just excited to be able to meet people in the community,” she said.
“It is a little bit of a different experience for me.
“I did one country trip to Griffith lat year and I really enjoyed it, a day clinic for the girls.
“That was a little taste for me and I am just excited to engulf myself in a bit more of that.
“When I go into camps, every now and then we have some new additions with some country girls.
“They are always the fittest, I don't know if they run around the paddocks or something but they are always the fittest girls there, really cool girls and just really talented.
“It is good to see some talent that has been untouched and I am just excited to pass my knowledge on to them.”
Women’s nines has become popular within the Greater Northern region over the past three seasons and is still on the rise.
Having played at the highest level, McGregor had some advice for the girls ready to make history in Country Rugby League.
“There is nothing to be nervous about if you learn to do it properly,” she said.
“I know some girls have played some nines and, even though it is still rugby league, the transition from nines to 13 can be a little bit scarier, the body types that play 13s is a bit different, there are less gaps and bigger hits in 13s.
“Both of them are very entertaining to watch and really fun to play, it is just finding what works for you.”