Time to shine
PAUL McGrath believes the Barastoc Nationals on April 23-29 will be the first step for players aiming to make Australian teams for the 2015 World Cup in South Africa.
After winning the first two cups in 2003 and 2007, Australia was third in the United Kingdom last year.
"Anyone aiming for the next cup should be putting their name forward at these nationals," McGrath, the Queensland open men's captain, said.
Queensland's past two wins were in Warwick (1998) and Naracoorte, SA (2000).
McGrath has been in Queensland teams for more than two decades and can't recall a team with so many players younger than 25.
Warwick pair Colton Preston, 21, and Russell Owens are under 25, along with Tansey players Matthew Johnson and Trent Collins.
McGrath and Cameron Shepherd (Warwick) and Justin Hafey (Tansey) are the experienced trio.
Coach Matt Gleeson (Warwick) won't finalise his starting sections until next week.
McGrath said he felt the coach was leaning towards using players from the two clubs, Warwick and Tansey, in different sections.
"We have a tough first game against Victoria," McGrath said.
"New South Wales is always the toughest and there will not be a lot between Victoria and Western Australia."
