RUGBY UNION
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FRESH from eclipsing the Southern Inland Rugby Union premiership, Ag College will not tinker with a winning formula for the upcoming SIRU season.
Amid considerable uncertainty, Ag College yesterday finalised the coaching structure it hopes can carry the team to a second straight title.
In a tremendous show of stability at the club, last year's joint coaches Richard Turnbull and Stuart Hodgson will be in command again this year.
Speaking to The Daily Advertiser yesterday, Hodgson revealed Turnbull had agreed to sharing the coaching responsibilities as Aggies strive for a SIRU title defence.
"Richard wasn't sure whether his travel commitments (with employment) would allow him to do the job," Hodgson said.
"We had a good talk and he decided to re-think the situation.
"I told him I also travel a lot (with employment) and we can make it work."
The news Hodgson and Turnbull will carry on the great work from last year is a huge bonus for Ag College.
The Hodgson-Turnbull combination worked wonders last year, culminating in Aggies edging Albury 26-25 in a SIRU grand final thriller in September.
Five months down the track, Hodgson said Aggies were now in perfect shape to take another shot at the crown.
Despite the loss of star halfback Peter Armstrong, Hodgson is confident Aggies will have a team capable of mounting a substantial title defence.
"We'll have a very similar makeup to last year," Hodgson said.
"Obviously we've lost Peter Armstrong, but Jack Burey has come across from the Reds.
"We should be in a position to have another good year.
"The boys have already started training and things are looking good."
Hodgson admits rival teams will have Aggies on their radar in 2012.
"As premiers, the other clubs will all be gunning for us," Hodgson said.
"The premiers tag is like giving the other teams 10 points start."
Hodgson remains optimistic Ag College may unearth some prized talent from the latest intake of students into Wagga.
Between times,star Aggies recruits Jack Burey is thrilled to be on new turf.
Switching from CSU to Ag College is a "massive change", according to Burey.
"It'll be exciting," Burey said.
"I suppose I was looking for a change of scenery."
Hodgson regards the ability of Ag College to get three teams into the SIRU finals last year as a major achievement.