“HE terrorised Panthers on the weekend. We got a tip off about him and we’ll stick him in there and give him a go.”
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Group 10 will unleash Blayney backrower Rakai-Manaia Tuheke on Saturday in Gilgandra, with the Bears’ newest recruit headlining Graeme Osborne’s 21-man squad named for the annual Western Rams trials with Group 11.
Tuheke scored a try in his first game for Blayney on Sunday, a 26-20 win over Bathurst Panthers, and is set to make his Group 10 debut just six days later after a barnstorming display on the Bears’ right edge.
He’ll be joined by former Queensland Country rugby union gun, Mudgee Dragon Rota Setu in a very different squad to the one named last year - CYMS star Ben McAlpine, Lithgow mainstay Jono Van Veen, St Pat’s rake and reigning Group 10 player of the year Benjamin John and Mudgee’s Jack Afamasaga all not named for the trip to Gilgandra.
Osborne said the changes were brought about by injury and other commitments.
“A few of the guys have family stuff on and that’s understandable,” he said.
“I’ve also spoken to [Western coach] Darren Jackson and he’d like the guys who’ve been to training and the guys who’ve been in [Western] trials so far to get the chance to play.”
He added both Tuheke and Setu demanded selection.
“I heard about Rota’s form in the Mudgee Nines and sent someone up to have a look at him on the weekend,” Osborne added, Setu scoring four tries against Hawks. He’s pretty impressive. And the big backrower from Blayney, he killed them,” he said.
“We thought we’ll throw them in and give them a chance.”
CYMS’ young-gun Ryan Griffin is another surprise selection for Osborne’s squad, which has been inflated to 21 as a number of players battle niggling injury from round two of the Group 10 competition.
Only 18 will play against Group 11.
Both Simon Osborne and Lithgow prop Chris Rhodes were suspended out of last year’s grand final brawl, but will take their places in the side headed to Gilgandra.
Their suspensions ran out last weekend.
“Simon and Chris have both been in contact with Jacko and been around the Indigenous side when that game was on. They’re both keen to play,” Osborne said.
“You could pick absolutely everyone, and there would still be someone who has a whinge.
“You can’t please everyone, you’ve just go to go with what you’ve seen, what advice you’ve been given and your gut.”
GROUP 10: Dane Howarth (Blayney), Josh Rainbow (Blayney), Rakai-Manaia Tuheke (Blayney), Ron Lawrence (Cowra), Jack Nobes (Cowra), Warren Williams (Cowra), Simon Osborne (CYMS), Ryan Griffin (CYMS), Jeremy Gordon (Bathurst Panthers), Brent Seager (Bathurst Panthers), Blake Lawson (Bathurst Panthers), Jake Betts (Bathurst Panthers), Rota Setu (Mudgee), Todd Munn (Mudgee), Hamish Bryant (Mudgee), Nathan Lawrence (Bathurst St Pats), Garry Reilly (Bathurst St Pats), Abel Lefaoseu (Oberon), Chris Rhodes (Workies), Brendan West (Workies), Kealan Bresac (Workies)