NEWCASTLE Rugby League clubs may score the services of New Zealand Warriors squad members in coming rounds but Lakes coach Robbie Payne was left questioning equal "opportunity" after opponents The Entrance already picked up two players.
Edward Kosi and Jyris Glamuzina, based with the Warriors on the Central Coast, were granted permission to play for the Tigers after initial arrangements with Queensland Cup outfits fell over this week because of Brisbane's snap coronavirus lockdown.
The last-minute call, handed down by NSW Rugby League, saw The Entrance bolstered by the pair while Lakes didn't get the same chance at Edsaac Oval on Friday.
"I was very surprised. The Entrance got two players but we didn't have that opportunity," Payne said
Moving forward, the Seagulls mentor said "we'd happily accommodate anyone [Warriors players]. They're out of the country, away from family and need a game".
Lakes, in their first match of the season after having round one postponed, were defeated 54-4.
Glamuzina scored a try in the 53rd minute.
The Entrance winger Josh Mantellato recorded 22 points, featuring a perfect day with the boot from nine conversion attempts.
Lakes had both Matt Cooper (groin), who crossed in the first minute, and Enemarki Shibasaki (knee) in the casualty ward inside 30 minutes.
Elsewhere on Friday and Central edged out the Bulldogs 18-16 at Kurri Sportsground after five-eighth Dylan Phythian broke the deadlock by kicking a penalty goal in the 78th minute.
The Butcher Boys lost by the same two-point margin last weekend so coach Phil Williams was pleased to "get off the duck egg".
Phythian was partnered in the halves by Brad Murray with Luke Walsh still injured and yet to line-up for his new club in 2021.
Souths coach Matt Kennedy fears the Lions, who host Macquarie at Townson Oval on Saturday, could be without captain Ryan Glanville (pectoral) for up to six weeks.
Also on Saturday, Maitland are away to Wyong.
In Thursday night's fixture, Cessnock beat Wests 20-12.
