HE only has 10 games of rugby union experience, however, Jake Wheeler has been handed the captaincy of the Manning Ratz team for Saturday's Lower North Coast major semi-final against Wauchope Thunder at Taree Rugby Park.
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Wheeler will be standing in for Sam Hartnett and Ricky Campbell. Harnett, the regular captain has missed most of the season with a knee injury, but could be on the bench tomorrow. Campbell is nursing a collarbone injury sustained against Wallamba on September 5.
Ratz coach Jake Maurirere said Campbell is still a '50-50 chance.'
"But this isn't do-or-die for us,'' he added.
"I don't want to risk Ricky - if he aggravates the injury he could be out for the games ahead.''
Wheeler led the Ratz into the last round game against Old Bar and while he's new to rugby this year, Maurirere said he'll do the job against Thunder.
"Jake's a leader,'' he said.
"He's had plenty of experience captaining league teams, he did a good job for us last week.''
Hartnett completed some contact work at training this week without problem and Maurirere said it is possible he'll take some part in the major semi-final.
Centre Bruywn Tisdell is also out because of a troublesome hamstring injury.
This means Corey Wheeler - the captain's younger brother - will again handle the goal kicking responsibilities while he'll wear the number 10 jumper in Campbell's absence.
Maurirere took the opportunity to rest players for the final round game and he said this was timely. While the Ratz finished minor premiers and boast an unbeaten record, both encounters against Thunder were close, hard fought affairs. The first was a 19-19 draw at Wauchope, with the Ratz getting a two point decision in a fluctuating game at Taree on August 15. That's been the game of the year so far.
Both sides boast match winning backs - centres Dean Mills, Jake Hazard and fullback Matt Bridge are incisive broken play runners for the Ratz.
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Maurirere said limiting the options for Wauchope's attacking aces Stephan Blair and Tristan Scott will be important tomorrow.
He's confident his forwards can swing the game the Ratz way. Fielding a number of league converts, the Ratz forwards have been guilty of conceding a number of penalties this year, however, Maurirere said this aspect of the game has been improving.
Winner of the match gets to host the grand final on Saturday October 3.
