Western Force clash to headline RugbyWA finals at Lark Hill on Saturday

Rockingham Rugby Union Football Club will host the RugbyWA finals on Saturday, with a headline match between Western Force and Australian Country Stockman Rugby to follow at 6pm.

Stockman Rugby is a rugby-based invitational development program made up of players from across Australia and coached by former Wallabies Nic Henderson and James Holbeck.

One member of the 2018 Stockman Rugby squad holds a particular connection to Lark Hill and Rockingham RUFC, with towering second rower Rory Collins having made his Premier Grade debut in purple and gold.

Collins reflected on his time living and playing in WA and said being back at Lark Hill would bring back “a lot of great memories”.

“When I found out we (Stockman Rugby) were playing The Force at Lark Hill it just seemed like fate that I was going to be picked,” he said.

“I loved Rockingham because they are a lot like my personality, a bit rough around the edges, never stop fighting, work hard, always put friends and family first and known to surprise teams from time to time. I loved that.

“One of my favourite memories of my time at Rocky was somewhat serendipitous, playing at Lark Hill we defeated perennial finalist Nedlands in a thriller by a solitary point on my 21st birthday. Being part of that match and knowing what it means for a club like Rockingham to topple the big boys remains a proud moment in my rugby career.”

Since leaving Rockingham for the east coast Collins has played with Northern Suburbs, GPS in Brisbane and has played for the Australian Defence Force Rugby Team against New Zealand Defence Force and French Defence Force.

Saturday’s rugby action starts from 11am with the RugbyWA Finals kicking off the festivities.