MAITLAND coach Luke Cunningham faces a headache after losing representative props Harrison Chapman and Tom Vincent in the space of a week.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Cunningham tore his pec playing for Hunter at the Country Championships on the long weekend and faces at least four weeks out.
Viincent then suffered a fractured ankle in the 66-7 rout of Southern Beaches at Marcellin Park on Saturday.
Adding to the woe, former NSW Country centre Chris Logan sustained a serious knee injury. He will have an MRI scan this week but will be out for a minimum four weeks.
Justis Gerrad moved from the back-row to prop against Beaches as cover for Chapman. However with Devante Manu away, Cunningham has "no idea" who will pack down at loosehead against leaders Merewether next Saturday.
"It was a good result but it came at big cost," Cunningham said. "Justis Gerrard went really well for us. We didn't get much chance to work with him last week because he had to work. We will certainly spend some time with him going forward. Who else plays in the front-row will be the headache this week."
Logan arrived home from Queensland, where he was holidaying, on Saturday and was introduced off the bench with 25 minutes to go.
"Loges went to step off his foot and his knee buckled underneath him," Cunningham said.
"Our attack was going really well on Saturday. It was 42-0 at half-time. Then those two serious injuries hurt momentum. When you see boys go down like that it is hard for the players to stay switched on."
The other two games were also lopsided.
Fly-half, Sam Bright scored 31 points as Merewether thrashed Lake Macquarie 96-0 at Walters Park and Hamilton demolished Singleton 71-7 at Rugby Park. The match between Wanderers and Nelson Bay at No.2 Sportsground was called off just before kick-off after a heavy downpour made the ground unplayable.
Meanwhile, Merewether prop Dave Puchert is the only Hunter player in the NSW Country squad.
MORE IN SPORT:
- Mustangs end Falcons' hot streak in NBL1 East: Basketball
- Why Wests need a hand running the Knights: Robert Dillon
- The verdict on Adam O'Brien's coaching future with Knights: Toohey's News
- Jayden Brailey reveals comeback plans: Tooheys News Podcast
- Hurricanes player Spencer Burdack headed to world youth water polo championships
- The Hunter's contribution in a century of Socceroos: the region's impact on the round-ball code
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark: newcastleherald.com.au
- Download our app
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Google News