ABOVE: Sam Butler and Lachy Rippon wearing their rugby medals.
Susanna Freymark
Sam Butler and Lachy Rippon, both 12, were picked out of 200 students to play in a rugby team of 24 in the Catholic schools country state team.
“It felt good,” Sam said.
The St Mary’s Catholic School students were the only two picked from Casino.
Sam plays hooker and Lachy is a flanker.
The pick of the players didn’t meet as a team until they started training in Mudgee.
Lachy and Sam seem unfazed by their rugby talents as they kicked the ball around Mallanganee Oval.
Sam is from Mallanganee and Lachy from Tunglebung.
“We usually play Friday nights for the Casino Bulls,” Sam said.
The pair are in the Far North Coast rep team too and will be heading to Coffs Harbour for the country championships that includes all primary schools in NSW.
The best mates love their rugby.
“One day we’ll play for the Wallabies,” they said.
and then