Richards confident rookies will stand tall
BY NEIL GOFFET
CENTRAL Charlestown coach Wayne Richards has every confidence young front-rowers Wendall Wilson and Joe Means can prevail against the might of the Western Suburbs pack at Harker Oval today.
Both in their early 20s, Wilson and Means have been left to do the hard work up front in the absence of other more experienced recruits that have departed since the start of the season.
Toa Asa starred for the Butcher Boys in his first game but joined the Knights the following week.
Larry Taufua, younger brother of Knights prop Mark Taufua, did pre-season with the club but is now playing for Woodberry in the Newcastle and Hunter Rugby League.
Injuries have also played a part in Richards selecting back-rowers Mitch West and Beau Simpson in the front row at various times this season.
West and Simpson both made their representative debut for Newcastle this year, but they are up against a host of top-quality talent.
"I've got all the confidence in the world in Wendall and Joey," Richards said.
"It might be a case of playing a bit smarter and perhaps changing the way we play a bit against West this weekend, but I've got no problems with our front-rowers.
"Wendall has been doing the job well, and Joey Means just keeps going the whole game."
West welcome NSW Country prop Warren Schillings back from representative duty today. He will join former Country front-rowers Dan Hagan and Dan Quinn in the side.
West also have firepower in the back row, with Peter Mannion one of their best each week and Colin Clarke and Matt Resch other standout players.
Central have a star-studded backline that is at least the equal of any in the competition.
Centres Milton Thaiday and Mat Cooper form an awesome combination, and halves Scott Briggs and Chad Solman have been outstanding.
The trump card for the Butcher Boys is fullback Byron Warren, who is scintillating in attack and solid in defence.
West will wear replica jumpers, shorts and socks from the original team that took the field in the inaugural Newcastle Rugby League competition back in 1910 for today's game.
In today's other game Macquarie need to beat competition leaders Cessnock at Peacock Field to keep their semi-final hopes alive.
In tomorrow's games South Newcastle play Lakes United at Townson Oval, Raymond Terrace are at home to Wyong and Nelson Bay host Kurri Kurri at Tomaree Oval.
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