WINGHAM coach Jamie Moorehead has anointed teenage five-eighth Taj Wood to replace injured Kurt Lewis in the Wingham first grade rugby league team.
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Lewis is sidelined indefinitely with a knee injury.
“We’ll know more this week after he goes to physio. Fingers crossed it will only be an arthroscope. It’s good news that it’s not an ACL, but it depends how quickly he can get it done,’’ Moorehead said after Wingham’s tough 26-16 win over Port Macquarie at the Wingham Sporting Complex.’’
Wood – an East Coast under 18 representative this season, replaced Lewis for the clash against the Sharks. He also played under 18s as the Tigers were down on numbers.
“He doesn’t turn 17 until next week so we had to get special dispensation for him to play (first grade),’’ Moorehead said.
Players have be to 17 years to be eligible for first grade. Wood turned 17 yesterday.
Wood played soundly in what was his first grade debut.
Lewis had trouble with the knee during the off-season and aggravated the injury in the opening minutes of the clash against Forster-Tuncurry the previous week.
He’s resigned to spending a large chunk of the season on the sideline.
“I’ve torn the meniscus and bruised the bone,’’ he said after hobbling into the ground on crutches.
“The doctor said I’ll be out six weeks after I get operated on, but it will depend on when I can get the operation.’’
He said he’s only missed four games through injury since coming into first grade.
“I’ve missed more because of suspension,’’ he mused.
DESPITE being hammered 50-6 by Group Two in the inaugural under 23 rugby league representative clash, Group Three gained six places in the North Coast side for the Country Championship clash on May 20.
Zebastine Samuel (Old Bar), Luke Sinclair (Port City), Tim Bridge (Wingham), Mitch Wilbow (Port Macquarie), Josh Northam (Taree City) and Shannon Ellem (Wingham) were named in the squad.
