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It’s all systems go for Rebels’ showdown

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It’s all systems go for this weekend’s Tri Series showdown between the Newcastle Rebels and Canberra at the Maitland Sportsground.

Despite COVID-19 hot spot scares, and updated Public Health Orders from the NSW Government, the long-awaited clash featuring Tooheys Newcastle Rugby League’s (Real NRL) elite players and their highly-credentialled counterparts from the ACT will still take the field on Saturday 26 June.

Maitland and Lakes United’s under-17s will kick off the program at 11am, followed by Wests and Cessnock’s under-17s at 12.15pm.

The Rebels under-20s then lock horns with Canberra at 1.30pm, with the seniors facing off from 3pm.

“It is all going ahead as planned,” Real NRL CEO Charlie Haggett said.

“In fact, Canberra arrived in the Hunter early – they’re already here.”

The Real NRL is also throwing its support behind the Mark Hughes Foundation (MHF).

Entry to the venue will be way of a donation, with all proceeds going to the Hunter-based organisation.

Canteen and bar facilities are available, too.

“We’ll sell MHF beanies on the day to assist with further fundraising as well,” Haggett said.

“Newcastle Rugby League is proud to be associated with the Mark Hughes Foundation.

“We see these matches as an opportunity to showcase some of the best players in the area and, at the same time, make a contribution to a very important cause.”

The Aaron Watts-coached Rebels crushed the Illawarra Steelers 36-4 in the Steel City Challenge last month, with Cessnock Goannas duo Billy Gilbert and AJ Davis, Kurri Kurri Bulldogs’ Mitch Cullen and Macquarie Scorpions’ Luke Higgins among the stand-outs.

But, Canberra will provide a stern test for the locals.

The Newcastle squad has, unfortunately, suffered a couple of changes in the past week in the lead-up to the encounter.

Gifted Central Newcastle Butcher Boys’ five-eighth Dylan Phythian is out, with Cullen moving from the second-row to replace him in the halves.

That allows Jarred Anderson (Kurri Kurri) to secure the No. 11 jumper in the run-on side.

Wests’ Joe Bromage and Bulldogs’ Henry Penn drop off from the bench, with Macquarie’s Joe Gardiner earning a call-up.

Central Newcastle young gun Kurt Donoghoe is the Rebels’ 18th man.

A Plus Contracting and Poly Welding Seniors (coach Aaron Watts):

1 Cameron Anderson (Central Newcastle), 2 Joe Woodbury (Macquarie), 3 Royce Geoffrey (Macquarie), 4 Tyrone Roberts-Davis (Cessnock), 5 James Bradley (Maitland), 11 Mitchell Cullen (c – Kurri Kurri), 7 AJ Davis (Cessnock), 8 Jayden Butterfield (Maitland), 9 Billy Gilbert (Cessnock), 10 James Taylor (Maitland), 15 Jarred Anderson (Kurri Kurri), 12 Wyatt Shaw (Cessnock), 13 Connor Kirkwood (Cessnock); 14 Matt Moon (Macquarie), 16 Joe Gardiner (Macquarie), 17 Robert Tuliatu (Cessnock), 18 Matt Soper Lawler (Maitland)

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