Seahorses to field full strength team in rugby semi-final

A FULL strength Ballina is gearing up for the Far North Coast rugby union semi-final against the unbeaten Wollongbar-Alstonville Pioneers.

The Seahorses will welcome the return of fullback Sam Giltrap from a broken hand when they take on the defending premiers at Pioneer Park on Saturday, August 16.

Ballina comes into the game off a two-week break and is aiming for its first grand final appearance since 2017.

“We should be fresh, and it will be one of the first times we’ve been at full strength this season,” coach Michael Greenhalgh said.

“They’ve been the benchmark for a long time, and we’ll need to improve on our last performance against them.”

“A lot of things go their way and they’ve got good technique over the ball which helps them control the game.”

Halfback Jack Radford brings plenty of experience and was recently called in to the NSW Country team.

Greenhalgh said centre Anthony Lolohea, hooker Jack Wallace and flanker Andrew Burke will be crucial in its finals campaign.

“Jack (Wallace) has come over from Canada this season, he’s been excellent at the set piece and brings a lot of energy around the field,” he said.

“We’ve put teams to the sword and we’ve been a fairly consistent, hard-working side throughout the year.”

The Pioneers have plenty of finals experience and will turn to the likes of five-eighth Ben Damen and flanker Hamish Mould.

Wingers Bodi Smith and James Vidler have also been prolific try-scorers this season along with fullback Sam Kerry.

“We’ve had some younger guys come in this year and they’ve given us a bit more depth and energy,” coach Bill Johnston said.

“You still need to keep that core group of players and it’s our experienced guys that we look to in the big games.”

The Pioneers will also have its colts and reserve grade teams in major semi-finals.

The minor semi-final will be played on Sunday, August 16 between Byron Bay and Casuarina at Graham Steel Park, Ballina.

The preliminary and grand finals will be held at Crozier Field, Lismore on August 23 and 30.