A junior Australian boxing champion has been named on the Knights’ extended bench for this weekend’s trip to face the Cowboys.
Kobe Rugless, a 20-year-old who joined the club over the summer from North Sydney in the NSW Cup, has been a standout in the lower grades and earned a call-up to the main squad.
While Rugless may not make the final 17 in Townsville, his selection shows that he is in coach Adam O’Brien’s long-term plans.
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“I’m just feeling my way at the moment and it’s great to be training with the full-time squad,” Rugless told Wide World of Sports during the off-season.
“Danny Buderus is one of the greatest hookers of all time, he’s given me some tips and Andrew Johns is also helping us out so I couldn’t be happier.”
Rugless, whose dad Troy played in the lower grades for Roosters and South Sydney, as well as in the top grade for the London Broncos, has an impressive boxing resume.
He won national titles in the under 15 and under 16 age groups and toured China with an Australian team.
“I love boxing but I had to make a choice between the two and league is definitely my preference,” he said.
North Queensland Cowboys v Newcastle Knights at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, 7.30pm
Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Peta Hiku 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Reuben Cotter 11. Tom Gilbert 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Jason Taumalolo 14. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 15. Heilum Luki 16. Coen Hess 17. Griffin Neame 18. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 19. Jake Granville 20. Kane Bradley 21. Ben Condon 22. Emry Pere 23. Taniela Sadrugu 24. Brendan Elliot
Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Edrick Lee 3. Enari Tuala 4. Bradman Best 5. Dominic Young 6. Tex Hoy 7. Phoenix Crossland 8. David Klemmer 9. Chris Randall 10. Daniel Saifiti 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 13. Leo Thompson 14. Jack Johns 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Mathew Croker 17. Pasami Saulo 18. Simi Sasagi 19. Krystian Mapapalangi 20. Jaron Purcell 21. Brayden Musgrove 22. Dylan Phythian 23. Kobe Rugless 24. Ben Talty
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