HE was strong at five-eighth last week but Kurt Lewis looks set to play lock for Old Bar in the Group Three Rugby League competition-proper.
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The Pirates accounted for Forster-Tuncurry in the opening round of the XX Trophies pre-season last Sunday and meet Macleay Valley in the semi-final on Sunday at Wingham.
"I want to play him at five-eighth or lock,'' Old Bar captain-coach Danny Russell said of Lewis.
"He's a good centre as well, but I think he's a bit wasted on the edge.''
The Pirates hope to have Nathan Maher, the five-eighth from last season's grand final side, available on Sunday, freeing the way for Lewis to move into the forwards.
Russell's younger brother, Johnny, also had his first game for the club last week. Initially a fullback, he played in the back row against the Hawks.
Russell was happy with the side's effort when downing the Hawks 16-6.
"That was virtually our first run together,'' he said.
"It was a different side than played in the trial against Sawtell.''
He said the Pirates did have some handling problems but he isn't too concerned at this early stage of the year.
He also knows a fair bit about Sunday's opponents.
"I played Macleay in Group Two,'' he said.
"They'll look to play an expansive game, so we'll have to be on our game in defence or we could get our arse kicked.''