A THIRD member of Wingham’s Kiwi connection will make his debut for the club in the Group Three Rugby League pre-season round at Tuncurry.
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Utility forward Theo Lalakai joined prop/second rower Solomona Sio and outside back Marlon Purcell in the club’s ranks. He is likely to be included in the 20 strong squad for tomorrow’s clash against Forster-Tuncurry.
Sio and Purcell both played in the recent trial against Shortland.
Coach Jamie Moorehead said the Tigers will have a number of players away through cricket or work commitments tomorrow and this will open to way for Lalakai to have his first run with the club.
“We’re allowed to have a squad of 20 and we’ll have 20 players there,’’ he said.
Halfback Trent Green could also be having a gallop. Green has been troubled by a hamstring twinge and will make the call on whether he plays tomorrow.
“I’ll leave that up to Trent,’’ Moorehead said.
“I know he wants to have a game because he’ll miss a few matches at the start of the season because he has to work.’’
While there’s nothing resting on the game, Moorehead said it would be good to have another hit out before the start of the season on April 8 when the Tigers make the trip to Port Macquarie to meet premiers Port City.
Moorehead admits that’s a tough start to the season.
“But I’m looking forward to it – it gets the game out of the way early and will be a guide as to how we’re standing,’’ Moorehead said.
The Tigers have been busy in the pre-season, taking a squad to the Coffs Harbour Nines while they also had a trial against Shortland and Wingham earlier in the month.
Matches featuring the southern league tag, under 18 and first grade teams will start at noon tomorrow at Tuncurry, where both fields will be in operation.
The first grade matches will kick off at 1.30.
This will enable the program to be concluded in time for Forster-Tuncurry’s season launch tomorrow evening.
Former Manly captain Jamie Lyon will be special guest at the launch, along with Ian Martin, a stalwart of premiership winning Manly sides in the 1970s.
Meanwhile the Group Three season launch will be held on Friday March 31 at the Wingham Services Club.
Former international and Western Suburbs second rower John Elford will be the special guest. Elford played more than 100 first grade games for the Magpies.
The launch will also feature interviews with all eight Group Three first grade coaches.
