Sport

Bulls make up majority of first Victoria Country squad in seven years

By Josh Huntly

Sep 10, 2025

Shepparton Bulls' Samuela Waqarerevaki is one of 12 players from the club picked for the Victorian Country men’s squad. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

Representing your state in any sport has often shaped in the goal-setting of many prospective players aiming to shoot for the stars.

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More so when you do it for Victoria Country, which carries with it a certain sense of regional pride.

It’s an honour Rugby Victoria hasn’t bestowed on its players since 2018, but that’s all about to change.

RV has reinstated its country representative side for the first time in seven years, and the squad announced on Monday will have a heavy Shepparton influence when it faces off against Tasmania on Saturday, September 20.

Of the 25-player Victoria Country squad, a dozen will come from the all-conquering Shepparton Bulls, including Shepparton’s Championship coach Moronae Silaga, who recently led the Bulls to their third consecutive title.

He’ll look to instil his winning influence as Head Coach of Victoria, an honour he said he was appreciative of when referencing the importance of the return of the Country squad.

“I’m just grateful for the opportunity,” Silaga said.

“I never see myself being part of representative teams; I usually just like to help and support from the back.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue to learn and to give back to the players and community.

“Just to see the Victoria Country team return this year (is something) everyone’s excited about.”

The squad is bound for Vibert Reserve in Shepparton on Sunday for its second training session, with game plans set to be tweaked and playing jersey’s presented.

Victoria Country will feature some of the State’s best regional players from Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, and Shepparton rugby clubs, with Clint Smith (Ballarat) and Jonathan Theseira (Bendigo) joining Silaga as his assistant coaches.

“To see all the country players and clubs come together is the best to see,” Silaga said.

“It's a representative team and everyone has to earn their sport, so you've got to show commitment to be part of the team.

“There's no free tickets or anything.”