“Sam has an injury problem to his foot. He’s a speedy bloke, so this will hurt us. 

“I have moved David Carriage to full-back. He is a busy body around the rucks and safe with the big kicks, so he will fit in nicely,” Toomey said.

“Ray Fuller will move onto the wing, Troy Peckham onto the other.

“Experienced hooker Trent Forrest will move into the starting side and young Gregory Peckham, who has had a big year in the Under-18s will move onto the bench as an impact. 

“He’s a nippy player,” Toomey added.

Cowboys’ club secretary Ray Fabar says Macquarie can expect a large vocal Wellington supporters band.

“We are really confident our reserve grade can beat Dubbo Macquarie, so our supporters are very upbeat about this. 

“We believe a late form surge by Wellington means we can go all the way from fifth which is a big call,” Mr Fabar said.

The captain-coach Darren Toomey agrees but is aware a repeat of some scrappy form won’t work.

“We have been a bit all over the place, so ball security will be crucial,” he said.

Saturdays team for the minor semi final which begins at 11.30 is:

1 David Carriage, 2 Troy Peckham, 3 Travis Hill, 4 Anthony West, 5 Ray Fuller, 6 Josh Toomey, 7 Thomas Fuller, 8 Shane Peckham, 9 Trent Forrest, 10 Robert Peckham, 11 Josh Stanley, 12 darren Toomey (c/c), 13 Billy Stanley.

Reserves :

14 Nathan Riley, 15 Keith Toomey, 16 Daniel Burrows, 17 David Eades, 18 Blake Wheeler, 19 Josh Fuller, 20 Daniel Burrows jnr, 21 Greg Peckham, 22 Jordan Stanley