MACQUARIE pair Matthew Moon and Bayden Searle will be given every opportunity to recover from season-ending injuries and line-up for Newcastle at next year's NSW Country Championships.
Utility forward Moon (groin) was ruled out of September's grand final after being hurt the game before while halfback Searle (broken leg) went down a week earlier in the major semi.
Rebels coach Adam Bettridge says he'd enjoy seeing them open against Central Coast on March 5 after both were named in a 26-man representative squad.
"One thing we do have on our side with them is time and they'll continue to do their recover process. We'll give them every opportunity to be there," Bettridge said.
Former NRL pair Brayden Musgrove and Dylan Phythian were also listed this week.
REBELS: Timanu Alexander, Cameron Anderson, Garry Anderson, Mitchell Black, James Bradley, Jayden Butterfield, Sam Clune, Ryan Glanville. Luke Higgins, Luke Huth, Connor Kirkwood, Matthew Moon, Brayden Musgrove, Lachlan O'Brien, Chad O'Donnell, Dylan Phythian, Bayden Searle, Wyatt Shaw, Lincoln Smith, Ben Stone, James Taylor, Josh Toole, Honeti Tuha, Jack Welsch, Joe Woodbury, Jayden Young.
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