WINGHAM coach Mick Sullivan will look to front row partners Joel Kliendienst and Nick Beacham to pave the way for the Tigers in Sunday's Group Three Rugby League preliminary semi-final against Wauchope at Wingham.
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Kliendienst has been cleared to play despite injuring his thumb in the clash against Old Bar a fortnight ago. He missed the match against Port Macquarie last Saturday where the Tigers went down 25-18. Beacham copped a knock and was replaced in that clash, but will also take his place.
Wingham will be minus leading forwards Jake Mullen and Tim Watson. Both are unavailable.
However, Sullivan is convinced that if Kliendienst and Beacham provide the forward thrust the Tigers will be well on the way to winning the ruck and then the game.
Hooker Mitch Collins has been in red hot form for the Tigers this season and is sure to feature in calculations for the group's player of the year.
However, Sullivan reminded that Collins makes his mark, particularly with his probing runs from dummy half, on the back of foundations laid by Beacham and Kliendienst.
"The attitude is going to be a big thing this weekend,'' Sullivan added.
"It was poor last week against Port and we were down 14-0 early. No side can afford to give that much start in a semi-final. Our attitude has to be right from the kick off.''
With Mullen and Watson out Sullivan will start Michael Rees and Jake Wheeler in the second row. Kurt Lewis was a late withdrawal from the game against Port but he's right to play and will partner Brodie Myer in the centres. A knee injury will keep regular centre Tim Bridge on the sideline until deep into the finals series.
Youngster Jarrad Gibson remains on the wing. He'll play under 18s on Saturday but Sullivan can't see any problems with him backing up. Another under 18, Will Gee, has been named on the bench.
Veteran Trent Green is also on the bench, although he hasn't played since early in the season because of work and injury.
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Wauchope's form in the second half of the season has been at best, ordinary. In the second round the Blues only had one win - against minor premiers Macleay Valley along with a draw against Taree City. T
However Sullivan isn't reading anything into that.
"The game we played against them in the second round was the best of the season,'' he said.
"They completed well and they defended well. That's what you have to do in semi-finals.''
The Tigers might be down on strength, but Sullivan has no qualms that the replacements will do their job.
