Rory McGrath, Mark Poplin, Liam Birks and Jessie Abnett.
Rugby players from across the twin towns of Harden, Grenfell, and Boorowa made their mark at the 2025 NSW Country Rugby Union Championships in Tamworth on the weekend of May 17–18, with standout performances and historic milestones achieved by local athletes.
One of the most notable achievements came from Boorowa Rugby Club’s Mark Poplin, who not only played a pivotal role in the Central West Blue Bulls’ successful campaign but also made history as the first player from the Boorowa Goldies to be selected for the prestigious Caldwell Cup.
Poplin, who also coaches the Goldies, earned his place on the Central West squad through a competitive selection process involving trials in Canberra and several intensive training sessions. Out of a pool of 40 hopefuls, he secured one of the final 25 spots.
The Central West team played three matches across the weekend. They opened with a challenging loss to Hunter (19-7), followed by a hard-fought 17-all draw with Central Coast. The team finished strong on Sunday morning, defeating New England 28-7 in the Caldwell Cup playoff.
Poplin, wearing number 22, was joined by Harden Red Devils winger Edward McGeoch (number 11), both contributing significantly to the side’s success in the final match.
Reflecting on his experience, Poplin said, “I was happy with how I played. The pace and quality are definitely a step up, but it was a great test and a great weekend of rugby.”
With over 250 career tries and a reputation as a dynamic leader, Poplin’s selection has not only elevated his own standing but brought national recognition to the Boorowa Goldies.
The championships also showcased future rugby stars from the region.
Grenfell’s James Hazell and Hugh Allen, along with Boorowa’s Liam Birks and Rory McGrath, were selected for the Central West Under 20s Colts team.
Their campaign began with a 22-7 win over New England, followed by a gutsy 17-12 win against Central Coast in extreme weather.
On Sunday, the young side edged past Illawarra 14-10 in the semi-final, though McGrath was sidelined with an injury during that match. In the Rowland’s Cup Grand Final, the Colts triumphed again over Central Coast, 17-5.
In women’s action, Jessie Abnett flew the flag for Boorowa as the only female from the Goldies selected for the Central West Women’s team after a strong season in the South West Cup. Wearing number 6, Abnett helped the team to victories over Central North (20-7) and Central Coast (13-0) before dominating Mid-North Coast 46-0 in the Thompson Cup Grand Final.
Abnett’s inclusion and Poplin’s history-making appearance mark significant milestones for the Boorowa Rugby Union Club.
Together with their fellow Central West representatives, they’ve brought pride and visibility to regional rugby and their achievements are likely to inspire a new generation of players.
With the Goldies resuming their South West Fuels Cup campaign against West Wyalong on May 24, Poplin’s experience at the Caldwell Cup is expected to bolster the team’s momentum as they push deeper into the season.
As the dust settles in Tamworth, all eyes now turn to the pending announcements of the NSW Country Rugby Union squads. Our towns’ rugby communities wait with anticipation, knowing they’ve already witnessed a weekend that will be remembered for years to come.
-Liam Stuart
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