GREATER Northern Tigers might be trading the traditional growl for some “oomph” when the Under 16 and 18 representatives sides tackle Central Coast Centurions in Scone today.
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The Under 16 and 18 sides both need to start well in games where a win will guarantee a semi-final berth.
Neither side started well last week in first-round games against East Coast Dolphins in Armidale.
Both sides also scored 32 points, with the 16s hanging on for a 32-28 success and the 18s winning 32-22.
“We were a bit nervy,” GN Under 16s coach Gary Jones admitted.
“The fact it was their first game at the representative level had a bit to do with it but we do have to start well.
“Central Coast look reasonably strong even though Newcastle beat them fairly well. They are going to be hard to beat.”
He needs the likes of Max Altus, Bailey Lennox and Dylan Porter to spearhead the side while an injury cloud still hangs over Max Greacen.
“He’s got a hip injury,” Jones said. “We’ll test him out at training on Friday night.
“Apart from that, everyone else is right.
Greater Northern Tiger Under 18 coach Peter Stevens has had a bevy of injury problems and was still deciding on a final side late this week.
With fullback Hayden Loughrey unlikely to play he has moved winger Jake Saunders to fullback and brought in Elijah Rasiga off the bench to the wing.
Tom Baker and Jake Rumsby are also in the mix for a team that must improve on last Saturday’s 10-point win, Stevens said.
“If we play like we did last week we don’t deserve to be in the semis,” Stevens said.
“We did defend real well but we needed to.
“Our ball control was poor and we have to compete at every tackle after we let in a few soft tries as well.
“We need more oomph up front too. Have to start better.”
He said skipper and lock James Fisk was a key man and was one of the side’s best last week.
James Bradley and Bailey Taylor will also be crucial in the halvesl.
The Under 16 game starts at noon with the 18s timed for a 1.20pm kick off.
The NSW Country Rugby League Under 16 and 18 Grand Finals will be played as curtainraisers to this year’s AAMI Country v City Origin clash at Scully Park Regional Sporting Precinct, Tamworth on Sunday May 8.
Country Rugby League selectors will be present at each match with players to be selected for the Country U16/18 Representative teams to tour Perth (U18s) and Samoa (U16s) later in the year.