Zae Wallace not expecting extended Intrust Super Cup run once Pat Politoni returns

DIMINUTIVE rake Zae Wallace isn’t holding his breath of cementing a prolonged run in Burleigh’s Intrust Super Cup team just yet despite making a winning debut at the weekend.

Zae Wallace made his Intrust Super Cup debut against Ipswich. Picture: Richard Gosling

DIMINUTIVE rake Zae Wallace isn’t holding his breath of cementing a prolonged run in Burleigh’s Intrust Super Cup team just yet despite making a winning debut at the weekend.

The young gun played off the bench in the Bears’ 42-20 win over Ipswich on Saturday to extend their competition lead to four points.

Burleigh did so without Matt White (suspension), Blake Leary (ankle) or Pat Politoni (family commitments), while injury forced both Troy Leo (cork) and Jamie Dowling (knee) off in the first half.

It didn’t stop them from opening up a 28-0 lead by the break, with Leo notching a hat-trick by the time he suffered a leg injury.

Wallace’s opportunity came courtesy of Politoni’s absence. The latter, who has played for three NRL clubs and represented Tonga, has again been exceptional in the No.9 jersey for Burleigh this season.

Prop Jai Whitbread was named to start at hooker but those duties actually fell to Sam Coster, who was among the side’s best, with Wallace getting his first taste in the final 27 minutes of the match.

“I had a bit of an idea during the week (that I would be selected) but didn’t find out 100 per cent until Thursday or Friday,” said the 167cm hooker.

Sam Coster was excellent for the Bears. Picture: SMP Images

“It was good to get one under my belt. I’ve just been trying to work on my game every week and trying to get better at doing what they want me to do.”

Game management has been a focus, with Politoni regularly lending him a hand on the training paddock. But with him set to resume his place for this week’s home match against the Pride, Wallace could be shuffled back to A-grade.

“I hope to go again but it is quite hard because he is an 80-minute player and does everything you want him to do,” Wallace said of his roadblock.

Shaun Carney was a late withdrawal for Tweed. Picture: SMP Images

Fellow Bears debutant Jesse Savage scored a try. Tweed Heads blooded two newcomers of their own – Grant Garvey and Kody Parsons – in their stop-start 42-16 loss to Redcliffe.

Garvey, who played one NRL game for the Roosters in 2016, was called up after a reshuffle forced by fullback Shaun Carney’s late injury withdrawal while Parsons’ debut ended early due to head and ankle knocks.

Halfback Kane Elgey was sin-binned in the second half for a professional foul after making a one-on-one tackle in cover defence.

The result was Tweed’s first loss in almost two months.