Combined NSW-Queensland Country name Cam Blades as coach for British and Irish Lions match
Cam Blades has been confirmed as the coach of the Combined NSW-Queensland Country side to face the Lions.
Last Updated: 14/05/13 5:33pm
Blades, who was capped once against England but played against the Lions in 2001 for Australia A and the Waratahs, will be assisted by Todd Louden, Garrick Morgan and Col Jeffs for the warm-up match at Hunter Stadium in Newcastle.
Blades, who spent a spell in Scotland playing for Glasgow, is the currently coaching Sydney-based club Southern Districts while he was a technical consultant for Fiji for their European tour last year.
"I played my last two games in Australia against the Lions," said the 42-year-old.
Thrill
"Those two matches against the Lions were just a few days apart.
"I had the thrill of beating the Lions with Australia A in Gosford and then lined up against them the following weekend for NSW.
"The opportunity to play against the Lions is an unforgettable experience. Because they travel here only every 12 years, you can miss out on the experience even if you have a career of incredible longevity.
"I consider myself lucky to have run out against them in 2001. Those memories are certainly some of the fondest of my rugby career."
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