Injuries and a COVID scare have thrown a last-minute spanner into the works of Central North's preparations for this weekend's Country Championships in Tamworth.
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The Kookaburras men were on Friday scrambling to find a half-back after Stephen Leuta and Leti Vatunidruku both withdrew through injury.
Kookaburras coach Mick Squires said Vatunidruku has a hip flexor injury, which they weren't aware of and and he hadn't recovered from while Leuta missed the last round with a knee injury and after having a run on it during the week was advised by his physio not to play.
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"We'll be hitting the phones, sending out a few SOS', see what we come up with and go from there," coach Mick Squires said.
On top of that the cloud of COVID has reared it's ugly head again after an infectious couple visited several locations in Moree.
The Kookaburras have three (not including Vatunidruku) Bulls players in the squad.
Squires wasn't aware of any of them being unavailable, but admitted it was a worry they didn't need.
It's been hard enough as it is to get a squad together. He was still drafting in players at the start of the week.
He is happy though with what they have been able to come up with and is confident that if they play well they can get the job done against Western Plains at Ken Chillingworth Oval on Saturday and give themselves the chance to go one better than two years ago.
One area where Squires believes they might be able to get a bit of an advantage on Saturday is through the forwards.
"We've got a really good forward pack," Squires said.
The front row particularly looks strong with former Country Eagle Andrew Collins to pack down alongside Walcha duo Richard Hunt and Henry Leslie.
The pack also has some good size about it and mobility.
"And at the end of the day they're all in good form. That's one of the most pleasing things," he said.
A bit of a squad for the future, he is looking forward to seeing how the likes of Mitch Mack and Toby Maslen acquit themselves. Both will be making their senior Kookaburras debuts and have been named to start at six and seven, respectively.
They also have some exciting young talent to come off the bench.
The midfield also looks a strength with Andrew Moodie to run the show at five-eighth and Country rep Pat Keen at inside centre.
"It's a good backline, it's just a matter of getting them quality ball," Squires said.
If they can get them enough ball, he said, they "can definitely win".
The game kicks-off at 2.10pm.
New England will play Mid North Coast in the other Richardson Shield semi at 11.20am.
The Lions will also field a colts side. They will be the first of the local sides in action with their first game at 10am.
The combined Central North/New England women's side will meanwhile hit the field against Hunter at 11.30am at Scully Park.
Kookaburras v Western Plains: 1 Andrew Collins (Pirates), 2 Richard Hunt (Walcha), 3 Henry Leslie (Walcha), 4 Daniel Kahl (Narrabri), 5 Lachy Mack (Gunnedah), 6 Mitch Mack (Barraba-Gwydir), 7 Toby Maslen (Pirates), 8 James McLean (Walcha), 9 TBA, 10 Andrew Moodie (Pirates), 11 Mitch Adams (Moree), 12 Pat Keen (Walcha), 13 Sam Collett (Pirates), 14 Oli Wright (Pirates), 15 Wes Rooney (Pirates); 16 Lachlan Holz (Walcha), 17 Will Burey (Moree), 18 Michael Purtle (Pirates), 19 Angus McKenzie (Quirindi), 20 Jioji Cakacaka (Pirates), 21 Jona Saumaisue (Moree), 22 Navi Tiko (Pirates), 23 Alex Abra (Barraba-Gwydir), 25 Liam Mack (Barraba-Gwydir), 26 Sam Agar (Walcha).
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