Greater Northern Tigers to meet Northern Rivers Titans in Country Championships semi-finals on Sunday

The Tigers - who had one win and one loss in the round matches - will meet the Northern Rivers Titans at Frank McGuren Field in Grafton on Sunday.

Despite the disruption to his lineup, McManus said: "There's nothing to say we can't beat Northern Rivers. [We've] just got to play the hand we've been dealt."

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The player withdrawals include Dungowan second-rower Brett Jarrett and Werris Creek centre Ronin Hadden, who have both tested positive for Covid.

Jarrett would have missed the game even if he had not caught Covid, as he coaches the under-16 Tigers and was going to oversee their Andrew Johns Cup semi-final clash against Macarthur Wests Tigers in Wollongong on Sunday.

Losing Jarrett is a "huge blow", McManus said.

"That really hurts us," he added. "Brett can play in the middle and on the edges. He has a real engine too."

McManus said the loss of Isaac Austin is also a big blow.

"He's a big bopper and gives us a bit of size," McManus said. "But I have a lot of faith in the side we are taking.

"We've got a good spine and got some good players in the middle. Lincon (Smith), Matt (Hay), Blanchie (Scott Blanch) and Hoogs (Daniel Hoogerwerf) are all good footballers."

McManus has moved regular No 1 Bailey Taylor to centre and has brought Dungowan Cowboy Trent Taylor into the side at fullback.

North Tamworth hooker Liam Ball also gets his chance after being named on the bench.

"Liam had a season of first grade last year and knows what it's about," McManus said of a talented teenager who will bring a heap of cocky enthusiasm to the team.

Ball's North Tamworth teammate, Kobe Bone, has replaced Jarrett in the second-row.

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