MANNING Ratz coach Jake Maurirere will have a wealth of backline talent to chose from when he names the side to meet struggling Gloucester at Gloucester in the Lower North Coast Rugby Union clash tomorrow.
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The Ratz will welcome back Brodie Howard, James Farrawell and Izaak Solomon after all missed the match against Forster-Tuncurry last week. There were initial fears the Howard’s shoulder injury would sideline him for the season, however, he has been given the all clear following scans.
“Now we’re waiting on Sam (Hartnett) and Ben (Northam) to return – we haven’t had our best side on the field this year, but we’re getting there,’’ Maurirere said.
The Cockies were punished 90-0 by Wallamba last Saturday but Maurirere isn’t reading too much into that result.
“I heard they had a few injuries. They apparently only had 14 players,’’ he said.
He pointed out that the Cockies traditionally have a physical pack and he is expecting some strong clashes up the middle.
“But hopefully we’ll match them,’’ the coach added.