TAREE City coach Gary Bridge has denied speculation he will rush former North Coast representative Mick Henry back into the side for tomorrow’s Group Three Rugby League game against Wingham at Wingham.
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Henry missed all bar 50 minutes of last season when he underwent reconstruction surgery after injuring his knee in the opening match. He has been training with the Bulls and will return this week from a trip to Bali, prompting suggestions he will be in the run-on side to play the Tigers. However, Bridge said that won’t be the case, although he added that when Henry is right to play, he’ll be considered as a hooker.
Bridge is more concerned about again having to find a centre. Bruwyn Tisdell was an early casualty in the clash against Forster-Tuncurry and Bridge is hoping he’ll be right to partner Aaron Bayley. Tim Alliston returns from a two week layoff but Bridge said the former Group Three utility will have a run in reserve grade and then start from the bench.
The Bulls had problems with Wingham in 2016, losing all three competition games and the minor semi-final. The Tigers aren’t doing them any favours so far in 2017 either.
“If they’d beaten Wauchope last week we’d be in fourth place,’’ Bridge noted.
He’s not reading too much into the loss to Wauchope, pointing out that the Tigers were minus some key players who he expects to return tomorrow.
Bridge said the Bulls will look to starve Wingham of possession.
“They’ve got speed out wide so we have to cut down their options in attack,’’ he said.
Work a worry for Tigers
WORK commitments could again rule out two of Wingham’s most experienced players for Saturday’s Group Three Rugby League clash against Taree City at Wingham.
Coach Jamie Moorehead expected to find out at last night’s training session if halfback Trent Green and second rower/centre Joel Kliendienst would be available. Both missed last Saturday’s loss to Wauchope because of work.
“I think this is the last week that Joel’s working away, so he'll be right from here on in, even if he can’t play on Saturday,’’ Moorehead said.
The Tigers still have a few injury concerns, with New Zealanders Marlon Purcell and Theo Lalakia still in doubt. Purcell has bone bruising on his ankle while Lalakia is troubled by a shoulder problem.
“I think we’ll have much the same side as played last week,’’ Moorehead said.
No time to panic for Pirates
OLD Bar Pirates are 0 from 3 with a game in hand in Group Three Rugby League this season, however, captain-coach Danny Russell said it’s way too early to hit the panic button.
The Pirates meet a team in a similar position, Forster-Tuncurry at Tuncurry on Sunday. Russell conceded that he’d prefer the Pirates had opened their account for the season.
“But there’s a long way to go yet – there 10 matches or more,’’ he said.
The Pirates fought back in the second half against premiership favourites Port City at Old Bar last week, but the damage was done in the first half when the Breakers ran in 38 points. The final score was 50-26.
Russell expects to field much the same side on Sunday.
“We had a couple missing at training on Tuesday but that was work related,’’ he said.
“I don’t think we have any injuries.’’
Russell revealed the Pirates are in line to sign a prop to bolster their forwards.
He has played under 20s with the Newcastle Knights as well as first grade in the Newcastle competition with Cessnock. He hails from New Zealand and was expected to be here for last week, but was held up at the last moment.
Russell isn’t sure if he’ll be available for Sunday.
“If so he’ll probably start off the bench,’’ he said.