STRONG scrummaging forwards are diamonds in rugby union and age never a barrier so Paul De Szell was a welcome new arrival from Canberra when the 42-year-old prop brought along his boots to a Manning River Ratz training session early this season.
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Mid North Coast representative hooker Jon Annand was leaving the club after six outstanding seasons, leaving a gaping hole in the pack and coach Jake Maurirere was casting about searching for his replacement, none in sight.
Eventually, Maurirere turned to his thickset prop Jonathan Simmonds and presented him with the important and much unloved No 2 jumper, leaving De Szell jousting for the loose-head position with an 18-year-old tyro from the Wingham Rugby League Club, Brendan Fuller.
From his position in the second row beside another newcomer, hefty Blake Howard, club stalwart, lock David Rees had recognised his coach’s dilemma and persuaded Fuller, his 120kgs nephew, to change codes and apply his considerable weight to scrummaging at prop.
Regrettably, De Szell sustained a nose injury which kept him out of action for much of the season and he will appear in only his fifth game for the Ratz tomorrow against the Myall Coast Mud Crabs at Tea Gardens, the requisite needed to qualify for the play-offs beginning tomorrow week.
Of De Szell, coach Maurirere said: “We lost a lot of experienced players in the off-season and Paul has proved a great bloke with the younger players, offering advice and helping them. He’s been a real leader.
“We’re starting to come together at the right time of the season leading into the semi-finals and our confidence is rising.”
Last Saturday, Myall Coast had a decisive bonus point win over the Gloucester Cockies at Gloucester, enabling them to jump into fourth position above last year’s grand finalists. Everything hinges on tomorrow’s games to establish Manning River’s minor semi-final rivals for the early game of the double-header at Tuncurry tomorrow week.
Tomorrow’s final 15th round sees unbeaten front-runners, Forster Dolphins, meet the second placed Wallamba Bulls at Tuncurry in a preview of tomorrow week’s major semi-final; Myall Coast are at home to Manning River at Tea Gardens; and the Old Bar Clams host Gloucester at Trad Sporting Complex, Old Bar.
Solomon right
MANNING Ratz uility back Izaac Solomon will play his fifth game in this season’s Lower North Coast Rugby Union competition tomorrow against Myall Coast and qualify for the semi-finals.
Solomon has travelled from Orange to meet commitments with the Ratz.
Ratz coach Jake Maurirere said Solomon will play an important role in his side’s semi-final campaign where his versatility will be a bonus.
Mick McDonald