However, coach Jamie Moorehead said teenager Tahj Wood, who has deputised for the North Coast representative, will be staying in first grade. Wood will miss tomorrow’s match as he has commitments in Brisbane with the Redcliffe club, where he’ll be playing in 2018.

Woods is still eligible for under 18s but he won’t be heading back to the junior grade anytime soon. The Tigers are out of contention for a finals berth in 18s.

“Tahj’s proved that he’s a first grader and that’s where he’ll be staying,’’ Moorehead said.

He pointed out that Lewis, who has played just two minutes this year, can cover a number of positions.

“Kurt’s represented North Coast in just about every backline position while he can play lock as well,’’ Moorehead said.

“Anywhere he plays he’s dangerous.’’

Moorehead added that Lewis has made it through two training sessions without any problems. Lewis aggravated a knee injury in the opening two minutes of the first game of the season and then underwent surgery.

“It’s good to have him back,’’ Moorehead said.

The Tigers also expect halfback Trent Green to play after he was unavailable for the past two weeks.

Moorehead is wary of Wauchope, pointing out they beat the Tigers in the first round.

“They really can’t afford to lose another game, so they’ll be desperate,’’ he said.

TAREE City coach Gary Bridge echoed his Wingham counterpart Jamie Moorehead when describing the Group Three Rugby League game against wooden spoon favourites Forster-Tuncurry as a ‘danger match.’

Moorehead said the same a fortnight ago and Forster-Tuncurry then upset the Tigers. Now the Bulls face the Hawks on Sunday at Tuncurry.

“This is a must-win for us,’’ Bridge said as the Bulls come off successive losses to Macleay and Port City.

“We want to finish third so we have to win all our remaining games.’’

The Bulls are one point clear of Wingham and Port Macquarie in the race for third.

Bridge said Taree will field the same side as went down to Port City by 10 points last weekend.

“We didn’t get any injuries and we can’t afford any,’’ he said.

OLD Bar’s front row resources have taken a hit going into the clash against unbeaten Group Three Rugby League leaders Port City at Port Macquarie tomorrow.

The Pirates will be without regular starting props Andy Petelo and Zeb Samuel while Anthony Paulson is under a cloud. Of the three Petelo is causing the most concern, with co-captain-coach Jake Wheeler fearing he could be out a month after injuring his ankle in last weekend’s 26-22 loss to Macleay Valley. Paulson copped a head knock early in that match but hopes to get a doctor’s clearance to play tomorrow, although Wheeler isn’t too confident about his chances. Samuel has a shoulder injury and will miss one game.

The Pirates have signed a new forward from New Zealand and he’ll get his first chance in Group Three from the bench against the Breakers.

“I’ll push a couple of players up from the back row to fill the other spots,’’ Wheeler said.

Losses to Port Macquarie and Macleay has resulted in the Pirates slipping out of the top five, albeit only by a point.

Wheeler blamed his side’s inability to play out 80 minutes for successive losses to the Sharks and Mustangs, saying the Pirates were well placed to win both. He doesn’t want the side to be in the position where they are relying on other results going to way to make the top five.

LEAGUE tag could be added to a pre-season nines rugby league tournament to be played at Old Bar next year.

This was discussed at a meeting at the Old Bar Tavern this week. Tavern owner Mark O’Neill is backing the nines concept, which is a first for the Group Three area.

“At this stage we’re looking at March 10 but we could go over two days if we add the women’s league tag,’’ Mr O’Neill said.

The tournament will be open to teams from throughout the State. Mr O’Neill said there was support at the meeting for playing league tag with the nines.

Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service will be the beneficiary from the tournament. Service chief executive Richard Jones attended this week’s meeting.

Earlier Mr O’Neill spoke with Country Rugby League CEO Terry Quinn about the concept. Mr O’Neill previously had negotiations with Mr Quinn when he established a competition in the Moree area some years ago when he ran a hotel there.

“There are still a few things we have to check including insurance and referees, but Kevin Hardy from Group Three will look into that for us,’’ Mr O’Neilll said, describing the meeting as ‘fruitful.’

He confirmed that it is planned to hold all matches at Old Bar at the Old Bar Reserve or Trad Fields.

Mr O’Neill wants to make the nines an annual event.