New look for men in green
Coach implores team to play smart in crucial contest against Brothers
NEW blood will run on to the paddock when the Wanderers kick off their 2017 campaign today.
A young timber mill worker, a personal trainer and a civil engineer are among the new faces pulling on the dark green jersey against Brothers this afternoon.
Wanderers’ new flanker Ben Lowry ran onto a rugby union field for the first time ever this year.
The 26-year-old personal trainer, who has played rugby league for 20 years, is considered a “fitness geek” among his teammates.
Lowry said he was expecting a “strong” performance today.
“We are very dynamic in the backs and have strong will in the forwards, which has been strengthened by our potential in reserve grade,” he said.
Scrumhalf Lachy Wilkinson moved to the Far North two weeks ago to take up a job at a Tablelands’ saw mill.
The 18-year-old playmaker will have his first taste of senior premier grade rugby after playing for All Saints’ College in Bathurst, NSW, last year.
“I expect some big boys, but I will back myself,” he said.
“I will just have to listen to the coach’s orders.”
The other new face is “adrenaline junkie” and second-rower Glen Ireland.
Wanderers coach Belford Lui said the hard-training unit was getting back into rugby after a short hiatus.
“He is very solid in hit ups and is a very go forward man,” he said.
Lui is expecting a fiery turnout from Brothers, who will be keen to atone for their 73-12 drubbing against the Southside Crusaders last weekend.
“You always got to expect the best from any side you play,” he said.
“I think we have just got to play smart rugby.”
Lui believes the Round 1 bye held the team in good stead for today’s fixture, but wants “more than a solid hit-out” from the fixture.
“I want to make sure we are stamping the team’s ability on the competition,” he said.
“The bye does help us recruiting wise because a lot of teams are finding their feet and finding their best combinations.”
The Wanderers’ clash with Brothers kicks off at 4pm at Jones Park. In others games Barron-Trinity take on Mudcrabs and JCU play Innisfail.