RUGBY UNION
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Maitland Blacks president Danny Lewer comes into the front row for Saturday’s crucial clash with Wanderers at Newcastle No.2 Sportsground.
Lewer, who has played more than 250 games for the Blacks, has been called up from the lower grades to fill a void in the scrum.
He goes to prop to partner Dan Leadley, with James Curran sliding across to hooker because Adrian Cunningham, who made his first grade run-on debut last week, is unavailable.
Jono Wotton and Nathan Brennan remain the second-row pairing, while Michael Howell takes the No.8 role, with John Birrell shifting to flanker alongside James Johnston.
The Blacks’ backs are unchanged from last week’s 86-12 drubbing of University at home, which was the club’s biggest top-grade win since a 92-12 result against Lake Macquarie on May 5, 2008.
Second-placed Wanderers are coming off an upset 24-10 loss to Lake Macquarie (45 points), who are entrenched in a three-way battle with the Blacks (46) and Southern Beaches (42) for the fifth and final play-offs spot with three rounds remaining in the regular season.
Kick-off is 3pm.