TAREE City coach Phil Adamson will start two players from last season's under 18s side in first grade for Sunday's XX Trophies pre-season rugby league clash against Wingham.
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Matt Taupo will play lock with Ben Murray in the centres. They were among a number of Bulls who had a heavy workload in 2013, playing under 18s and usually backing up for first grade, sometimes in the run-on side.
Adamson predicts both will benefit from the experience gained last year.
"And only having to concentrate on one game will be a benefit for them,'' he added.
A former Old Bar Pirate, Jared Lewis will start at halfback. Former group representative half, Mick Henry, will miss the pre-season as he serves suspension after being sent off in last season's grand final.
Another group representative, utility player Tim Alliston alternated between centre and the backrow for the Bulls last year. However, Adamson hopes to use him exclusively as a backrower this season. Adamson said that prop Josh Northam has also been training enthusiastically and he is confident he is in for a big year. Ethan Currey is another who has been a standout at training.
This will be Taree's first game for the season. However, Adamson reports that the Bulls have been getting strong numbers at training sessions.