New England riders will play a major role when New South Wales launches its 2026 PBR Australia Monster Energy Origin Series campaign in Newcastle later this month.
Tamworth’s Lachlan Slade and Colby Edgar headline a strong regional contingent in the NSW Blues side, alongside Willow Tree’s Clint Glass and Oberon rider Jack Rowlandson, as the defending champions look to secure back-to-back titles.
The opening round at Newcastle Entertainment Centre on May 30 marks the start of the three-event interstate series, with Queensland chasing revenge after NSW claimed its first-ever PBR Origin title in 2025.
The Blues sealed last year’s decider in Sydney with a 500.25 to 419.50 victory, recording six qualified rides to Queensland’s five.
NSW coach Lachlan Richardson said the side again featured some of the country’s strongest riders.
The Blues squad includes in-form Victorian Sam Woodall, Tumut rider Dylan Weir and Brazilian internationals Keny Roger and Alison Aguiar, but it is the New England representation that is expected to draw strong support from regional fans.
Glass, a consistent Origin performer from Willow Tree, returns alongside Slade, one of the state’s most experienced riders. Tamworth’s Edgar will also be looking to make an impact in front of a home-state crowd.
PBR Australia’s Simon Mallory said the NSW side was entering the series in strong form.
“New South Wales rider Sam Woodall is so hot right now he has to be careful where goes to not cause a bushfire! He was dominant in the recent Sydney Meatstock and looks good for Newcastle, and Dylan Weir is riding like the Cowboy of Origin cheque is already his,” he said.
“The seasoned veterans of Clint, Toby, Lachlan Slade are no strangers to pressure and pulling of high scoring rides while the new Brazilian Keny Roger is as good as we’ve seen from the internationals in the last few years, and putting serious heat on Kurt for end of year Gold Buckle.”
Queensland will counter with a star-studded line-up led by reigning Australian champion Kurt Shephard, alongside Macaulie Leather and Donnie Rutherfurd, both returning from campaigns in the United States.
The 2026 Origin Series continues in Brisbane on June 6 before concluding in Sydney on August 1.
Team New South Wales
Coach: Lachlan Richardson
- Keny Roger – Brazil
- Sam Woodall – Heywood, VIC
- Clint Glass – Willow Tree, NSW
- Colby Edgar – Tamworth, NSW
- Dylan Weir – Tumut, NSW
- Jack Rowlandson – Oberon, NSW
- Toby Collins – Maldon, VIC
- Alison Aguiar – Brazil
- Thomas Hudson – Dungog, NSW
- Lachlan Slade – Tamworth, NSW
Alternates:
- Thomas Hudson – Dungog, NSW
- Charlie Bailey – Oberon, NSW
Junior New England talent selected
New England riders will also feature in the junior Origin competition, with Tamworth’s Liam Birks selected in the NSW side.
The junior competition, featuring riders aged between nine and 17 from the 2025 PBR Australia Can-Am Junior Academy, will be contested at all three Origin rounds.
Team New South Wales
- Liam Birks (Tamworth, NSW) – 16
- Kassedy Carlon (Bundarra, NSW) – 13
- Nash Goddard (Glendon Brook, NSW) – 12
- Chase Berry (Gunnedah, NSW) – 10
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