Contest for spot despite starring

DIMINUTIVE rake Zae Wallace isn’t holding his breath of cementing a prolonged run in Burleigh’s Intrust Super Cup team just yet despite making a winning debut at the weekend.

The young gun played off the bench in the Bears’ 42-20 win over Ipswich on Saturday to extend their competition lead to four points.

Burleigh did so without Matt White (suspension), Blake Leary (ankle) or Pat Politoni (family commitments), while injury forced both Troy Leo (cork) and Jamie Dowling (knee) off in the first half.

It didn’t stop them from opening up a 28-0 lead by the break, with Leo notching a hattrick by the time he suffered a leg injury.

Wallace’s opportunity came courtesy of Politoni’s absence. The latter, who has played for three NRL clubs and represented Tonga, has again been exceptional in the No.9 jersey for Burleigh this season.

Prop Jai Whitbread was named to start at hooker but those duties actually fell to Sam Coster, who was among the side’s best, with Wallace getting his first taste in the final 27 minutes of the match.

“I had a bit of an idea during the week (that I would be selected) but didn’t find out 100 per cent until Thursday or Friday,”

said the 167cm hooker.

“It was good to get one under my belt. I’ve just been trying to work on my game every week and trying to get better at doing what they want me to do.”

Game management has been a focus, with Politoni regularly lending him a hand on the training paddock. But with him set to resume his place for this week’s home match against the Pride, Wallace could be in A-grade.

“I hope to go again but it is quite hard because he is an 80minute player and does everything you want him to do,” Wallace said of his roadblock.

Tweed Heads blooded two newcomers – Grant Garvey and Kody Parsons – in their stop-start 42-16 loss to Redcliffe.