Two Tasmanians will take to rugby’s biggest schoolboy stage next week after being handpicked for the Barbarians side.
Devonport’s Hunter Cross and Burnie’s Hunter Cooper have been identified as the state’s top prospects and are set compete under the Barbarians flag at the Australian School Rugby Championship in Western Sydney.
The Barbarians are an invitational side picked from predominately NSW schools but both Cross and Cooper have impressed enough to earn selection in the side that famously placed second in last year’s championship.
Tasmanian Rugby Union president Shaun Killian said both players had demonstrated their skills through junior pathways and had already made an impact in senior rugby.
“Hunter Cross has been getting some Premiership minutes for the Bulls forward pack and Hunter Cooper’s a young playmaker who’s already playing for Burnie’s championship side,” Killian said.
“We’ve been working towards this for a while now and we’re excited to see how they fare at the top level.”
Devonport club president Sam O’Keefe paid tribute to the work ethic of Hunter Cross, who he plays alongside in the state-wide Premiership.
“He’s a good, hard-working young man with all the things you can’t coach and all drive to succeed,” O’Keefe said.
Congratulations Hunter Cross who has been selected to play for the NSW Barbarians in the Australian School boys...
Posted by Devonport Bulls Rugby Union Club on Saturday, June 24, 2023
“He’s built like a true lock, he does the extra training required for someone looking to take their rugby to another level, and he’s still doing all the right things by his schoolwork and education.”
Tasmanian representative coach Bek Escobar described Hunter Cooper as a “versatile player who reads the game well”.
“He’s very analytical and has grown in confidence directing his forwards and backs around,” Escobar said.
“He was received dispensation last year as a Grade 11 student to play senior rugby and was pretty quickly moved into halfback and flyhalf.
“I’ve coached both Hunters and it’s really exciting to see them playing for the Barbarians – I know there’s interest from Shute Shield clubs and for them to be able to play in front of them and generate interest is huge for their rugby careers going forward.”
Burnie Emus president Vanessa Davies shared her excitement at seeing the club represented at the highest national schoolboy level.
“We’re so pleased for Hunter (Cooper) because he’s worked so hard to get to this stage. He still does his juniors and seniors training, plays in the Championship and benches for the Premiership side when he can. It’s just great to see,” Davies said.
