Nov. 25, 2013, 10:49 p.m.
Israel Folau.
ISRAEL Folau and the star-studded NSW Waratahs are headed to Newcastle.
The Waratahs will take on the Otago Highlanders in a trial at Hunter Stadium on February 14.
President Phil Payne revealed details of the game at the Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union annual general meeting last night.
The clash is the last of three hit-outs before the Tahs open their Super 15 campaign against the Western Force at Allianz Stadium on Sunday, February 23.
"It is their final trial, a week before the start of the season, and we have been assured the stars will be here," Payne said. "Israel Folau, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Michael Hooper, Dave Dennis . . . the A-team.
"Unfortunately we won't benefit from it financially but part of our charter is to promote rugby.
"It will be great for the area and follows on from the British Lions game this year and the Scotland-Wallabies Test in 2012."
The Newcastle Jets A-League team are away to Brisbane Roar the weekend of the match.
The Tahs have previously played trials against the Crusaders and Chiefs at Hunter Stadium.
Before travelling to Newcastle this time they will take on Melbourne Rebels in Albury and Canterbury Crusaders at Allianz Stadium.
The Tahs held a training camp in Newcastle last December and Payne said the NHRU was working feverishly to ensure the city became a permanent venue on the calendar.
"We are lobbying NSW Rugby as hard as we can," he said.
"Unfortunately they have contractual arrangements which preclude them from bringing a proper Super 15 game here but that is what we are aiming for."
Payne also revealed the structure for the 2014 NHRU competitions at the AGM.
Premier Rugby will consist of the same 10 clubs after a recommendation to relegate two clubs to first division was defeated last month.
However, Singleton have entered a team in colts (under 20s), increasing the number to 11.
"Having that colts team was really important to us," Singleton president Shane Thompson said.
"We have aspirations of coming back into Premier Rugby in the next few years. That is our building block."
The biggest change was in First Division, which has been condensed from A, B and C grade into two competitions each consisting of 11 teams. Clubs with two teams will have one in each competition. Seedings are likely to determine which competition the one-team clubs compete in.
Draft draws for Premier and First Division will be distributed next week.
In a controversy-free meeting, the NHRU announced a profit of $28,000 and incumbent board members Andrew Walker, Paul Coles and Dave Mulley were re-elected.
Brian "Boxhead" O'Shea and Brian Rudder were also awarded life membership.
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