Orange Emus guns Nick Hughes-Clapp, Nas Havealeta, Lachie Harris and Tom Green are all set to start for the Blue Bulls while Orange City’s Feleti Wolfgramm will run from the bench, but the biggest talking point is undeniably Oxley naming mercurial Forbes halfback Mahe Fangupo at five-eighth.

Last year Fangupo wore No.9 with Parkes’ Lloyd Rogers running at first five, but Oxley has switched the two leading into this year’s tournament at Warren, plenty of it based on the former’s organisational skills “improving significantly” during this year’s preparation.

“There has been talk of [Fangupo’s] lack of communication and questions over his ability to connect, and I know other representative sides haven’t seen his value because they didn’t believe he could organise play,” Oxley said.

“But he’s been phenomenal so far this season. His rugby brain is excellent, and now he’s communicating in a way that the guys are connecting to.

“Maybe he feels more comfortable than he has in the past, he’s got to know me and a lot of these players over the last couple of years so maybe he’s coming out of his shell, I’m not sure but he’s been improving significantly.

“Lloyd has a beautiful pass, is quick and snipes well, he’d be good at 10 but will be just as good at halfback and Mahe has the ability to see the game and read the game, that’s why we want him there.

“And the last time Central West won the Caldwell Cup, he played at 10, so there’s a history of success there too.” 

They’ll run from the back of the Blue Bulls’ powerful pack that’s led by a powerful front-row of Havealeta and Forbes duo Charlie French and Jarrod Hall.

Hughes-Clapp and Cowra’s Chris Miller slot into the second row with Parkes’ Dan Ryan, Bathurst Bulldogs’ Peter Fitzsimmons and boom Dubbo Kangaroos recruit Mark Baldwin at the back.

“We’re talking representative rugby all across that pack,” Oxley enthused, while Baldwin has played in the National Rugby Championship four others in that pack have NSW Country Cockatoos experience.

In the backline Rogers and Fangupo will be joined by Harris and Forbes skipper Jack Hammond in the centres, Green and Bulldogs’ Harry Webber on the wings and CSU Bathurst’s Lochie Robinson at fullback.

“That starting XV, that’s good enough to win the Caldwell Cup,” Oxley fired.

“We have power in the middle, speed out wide, we can take these sides on at any part of the field … and we don’t lose anything with the bench.”

Wolfgramm is named on the bench along with Bulldogs’ trio Aaron Booby, Joel Harper and Will Oldham, Parkes’ Ben Ryan and Joe Nash, Forbes’ Tom Macleay, Cowra’s Tom Dewhurst, Harden’s Jack O’Connor, Molong’s Zac White and Mudgee’s Dave Birch.

“A lot of the guys on the bench have played a lot of Central West rugby,” Oxley said.

“Guys like Ben Ryan, Tom Dewhurst, Zac White, these guys are outstanding players and have played plenty at this level, so it’s not an issue at all.

“Aaron Booby’s forced his way in through his club form, Joel Harper’s young and doing well with Bathurst Bulldogs, all the guys on the bench I’m sure will go out and prove why they deserve their jumpers.”

Oxley, who said Sunday’s session was the squad’s “best yet”, also went on to laud new Central West chief executive officer Matt Tink and his involvement with the program.

“[Sunday] was our best session. They’re a bit sore, the rugby they’re playing on Saturdays is really quite physical but I couldn’t have asked more of them and I’m really happy with the way they’re coming together,” Oxley said.

“The best thing about [Sunday] was some of our senior players started to talk more. During the trials we didn’t have all the senior guys there and some weren’t really invested, but they were [on Sunday], they’re talking on the run and problem-solving.

“I can talk, but I want to talk less and have those senior players taking control, that’s how we get these big games won.

“We’ve got a very professional outfit, and a lot of that comes down to Matt Tink’s organisation and (Blue Bulls manager) Angus Wilson’s as well. They’ve been outstanding.

“We’ve had a great preparation with trials and sessions with David Lyons and the guys will benefit from all of that, and hopefully continue to see the value in investing a lot of time in this program and continue representing their region.”

Chris Miller captained the Blue Bulls during their trials while Peter Fitzsimmons was skipper during last year’s Caldwell Cup campaign, however Oxley is yet to name a confirm a leader for this weekend’s carnival.

Central West faces reigning country champions Newcastle-Hunter in its opening clash of this weekend’s tournament, at 4.30pm on Saturday afternoon.

The Caldwell Cup, second tier Richardson Shield, colts Rowlands Cup and women’s sevens finals are all on Sunday.