RUGBY UNION
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The Maitland Blacks will have a second shot at qualifying for this year’s Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union third grade grand final on Saturday.
The Blacks will tackle Wanderers in the preliminary final at Newcastle No.2 Sportsground after the minor premiers were downed 27-24 by Merewether Carlton in last week’s major semi-final at Waratah Oval.
Second-rower Guy Reed remains in doubt with a knee injury.
Kick-off is 10.45am.
In first grade, minor premiers Hamilton play Wanderers at 3pm while the Hawks also feature in second grade (1.30pm) and colts (12.05pm) against Southern Beaches and University respectively.
Maitland’s second grade team have already qualified for the September 14 decider.
Still on the NHRU play-offs the A, B and C grade grand finals will be played at Marcellin Park on Sunday.
Muswellbrook Heelers and Singleton Bulls go head-to-head in B-grade (1.30pm) while the Heelers will also feature in A-grade (3pm) against Southern Lakes and The Bulls double up against Singleton Army in C-grade (noon).
And in other rugby union news Maitland Blacks junior Nic White has been named on the bench for the Wallabies for Saturday’s Test match against South Africa in Brisbane after he made his debut off the bench a fortnight ago against New Zealand.