CENTRAL NORTH Kookaburras will have a new-look squad for the first-round Prime TV Northern Provincial Championships clash with Far North Coast in Casino on Saturday.
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Kookaburra team manager Graham Yeo counted at least 10 players from the 2002 squad who have either transferred to other areas or retired from representative
football.
A countrywide shortage of props has hit the Central North zone.
"Most of the props from last year have given it away," Yeo said.
"Nick Hannaford is hanging in there to help us out."
Liam McCormick has linked with Sydney club Easts while Peter Dorney and Anthony Williams are two who have retired from representative rugby.
This has opened up opportunities for others although Moree's Josh Connell was originally in the squad last year before breaking his arm.
Connell has been named in Saturday's side.
Season 2002 NSW Country and Central North forward Chris Sartori is also unavailable for representative rugby in 2003.
Others will join the squad after summer commitments are
completed.
"There are a few blokes unavailable this weekend tied up with cricket," Yeo said.
"Phil and Mick Barwick are two and they are both going to play this year.
"Mick will slot into the second-row but the prop position is wide open. There are positions up for grabs in the backs too."
There are some promising new forwards in the squad for Saturday's clash.
"There are some exciting players. Angus Burnell is a tough young prop from Walcha and Steve Liddle is a promising back-up hooker, also from Walcha.
"There are opportunities in the back-row for blokes like Evan Kellow and Charlie Street – younger blokes who are going to be the future of the Central North side."
Breakaway Kellow had an outstanding season for Pirates in 2002, pound for pound one of the most effective forwards in the zone, while Street was an outstanding back-rower for Robb College and a member of their season 2000 grand final winning side.
Warhorse Quirindi prop Russell Ison has also been put on standby for Saturday's clash
CENTRAL NORTH (squad to take on Far North Coast in Casino on Saturday): Forwards - Josh Connell (Moree), Angus Burnell (Walcha), Nick Hannaford (Gunnedah), Justin Law (Gunnedah), Steve Liddle (Walcha), Jeff Wilson (Gunnedah), Garth Cowley (Pirates), Evan Kellow (Pirates), Adrian Gunther (Moree), Jason Toohey (Tamworth), Charlie Street (Walcha). Backs - Matt Ellis (Inverell), John Clery (Pirates), Dave Wood (Narrabri), Mark McClelland (Walcha), Andrew Hacker (Moree), Luke Urquhart (Barraba), James Thibault (Gunnedah), Jamie Mitchell (Gunnedah), Jason Young (Moree), Chris Goscomb (Gunnedah), Ben Colley (Moree), Casey Jones (Tamworth). Standby - Russell Ison (Quirindi). Coach - Tim Gavin.
