The Newcastle representative pulled out of Saturday’s away clash with University because of a dislocated finger suffered in last week’s 24-17 loss to Southern Beaches.

“We didn’t want to lose him [Johnston],” coach BobbyTynan said.

“He’s our on the ball man and he played really well last week.”

This forced the Blacks coach to make late changes before training on Thursday with Davidson now joining Belcher on the side of the scrum.

Davidson has been replaced at No.8 by Jono Wotton with Ryan Vesper then coming up from reserves to play second-row and bolster the line out.

It is an otherwise unchanged line up for the Blacks in round 10 of the Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union first grade competition.

Tynan said he was wary of the Sam Berry-led University, especially playing at Callaghan Campus and despite the fact they are last on the competition ladder.

“Uni at home will be tough,” he said.

“Sam Berry is a good player and he holds them together whether he is playing four, eight, 10 or 15.”

Tynan said it would be important for the Blacks to dominate the forwards once more, but was hoping to play a more expansive game in the backs. 

In other first grade games on Saturday it will be Southern Beaches hosting Merewether, Lake Macquarie at home to Hamilton, Easts meet Nelson Bay while the match of the round has the undefeated Wanderers pitted against defending premiers The Waratahs. 

All matches kick off at 3pm.

BLACKS XV: 1 Kurt Courtney, 2 Dan Runchel (c), 3 James Curran, 4 Nathan Brennan, 5 Ryan Vesper , 6 Steve Belcher, 7 Nick Davidson, 8 Jono Wotton, 9 Luke Cunningham, 10 Jono O’Toole, 11 Rob Williamson, 12 Josh Gray, 13 Jye Estatheo, 14 Tom Quinn, 15 Josh McCormack