Rugby coach backs Far North Coast to compete with country’s best

FAR North Coast has set a goal to bring home the top prize in NSW Country rugby union after winning the Richardson Shield during its 2026 representative campaign.

The Dolphins secured the second-tier title with a 41-29 win in the final over Central North and hope to win the prestigious Caldwell Cup in Tamworth next year.

Coach Paul Jeffery praised the squad’s commitment throughout the campaign and said the group had laid a strong foundation for future success.

“The players really bought into what we wanted to do as a team and as a coaching group we couldn’t have asked for more,” Jeffery said.

“We lost some key men to injuries in the lead-up, so it really was a big effort. The group took the weekend seriously and we know we have something to build off.”

Jeffery said the representative program had benefited from a streamlined preparation period and strong player interest from across the region.

“We told the clubs we wanted a short, sharp six-week preparation and we had 47 players come through the door this year,” he said.

“That makes a big difference in who you can take and you have to have some hard conversations along the way.”

Preparations for the 2027 campaign will begin in September, with an initial 50-man squad to be announced during the Far North Coast senior grand finals.

Jeffery, who has now guided Far North Coast to two Richardson Shield titles, said the side could compete strongly at the highest level of country rugby.

He will retain the current coaching staff, including former Wallaby Matt Gibbon as forwards coach.

“You have to give blokes a reason to play representative rugby and offer them something more than they get at club level,” Jeffery said.

“That means we really needed to sharpen the pencil as coaches and put a level of trust in the team, which these guys have all repaid based on what we saw this year.

“We have a lot of red-hot players in this zone and we’re probably doing better than people think when you look at some of the talent out there.”

Far North Coast’s representative program also includes a women’s side, with participation numbers continuing to grow each season.