Versatility and familiarity will hold Maitland Pickers utility Billy Towers in good stead for the NSW Country Championship semi-final, according to Newcastle representative coach Paul Skovgaard.
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Towers was a late call-up to the Rebels’ squad for Friday night’s showdown with the Greater Northern Tigers at Cessnock Sportsground following a spate of injuries but it was only one year ago he helped Newcastle to clinch the Country Rugby League title.
“Billy [Towers] has come in on the back of playing well in last year’s final because he knows what is required and is up to speed on the plays,” Skovgaard said.
“His versatility is valuable as well because he can play back-row, lock or centre if needed ... he may not get many minutes in the first half because of the limited interchange rule but he will definitely be getting game time in the second.”
Towers will start from the bench.
Kurri Kurri Bulldogs utility Ben Wyborn has been elevated from fresh reserve to five-eighth and he will partner Cessnock’s Riley Brown in the halves.
Skovgaard was forced to make changes after Brown’s younger brother Joel was asked to front the judiciary on a striking charge with a punch that fractured the eye socket of South Newcastle’s Jake Hawkins on the weekend.
Joel was to team up in the Newcastle halves with former Maitland Pickers playmaker and incumbent NSW Country representative Jade Porter.
Skovgaard said he was confident his new combination could get the job done after two solid training sessions together this week.
“We trained on Monday and Wednesday nights and I thought the boys did really well,” Skovgaard said.
“Ben [Wyborn] has played five-eighth before and I’m confident he can get the job done for us.”
Fellow Bulldogs player Jesse Royal will start as prop.
Skovgaard said he knew little about his opposition, which includes Group 21 players like Scone’s Daniel Ritter and former country player of the year John Johnson.
The winner of this encounter meets the victor of Saturday’s semi-final between Illawarra and Central Coast, which will be played at Wollongong.
The 2013 decider will be held at Dubbo on June 29.
Kick-off at Cessnock on Friday is 7pm.
The match will be broadcast live online via the Newcastle Rugby League website.
