The Rebels have locked in two representative fixtures with Illawarra for June 11 while a Newcastle RL round game will also take place at the venue on the same Saturday afternoon.

Under 20s and senior men's encounters between Newcastle and Illawarra should kick-start proceedings with club sides Souths and The Entrance likely to complete the program in the traditional 3pm timeslot.

The Rebels were originally supposed to meet Illawarra at Maitland next weekend, but the South Coast opponents requested a delay because their local competition was heavily impacted by recent wet weather.

Newcastle are now due to play Canberra in the nation's capital on May 14.

* A clearance stalemate involving Coalfields rivals Cessnock and Kurri Kurri seems no closer to being resolved with both Jarom Haines and Josh Griffiths still stuck on the sidelines.

Having now dragged on for months, Haines and Griffiths face the prospect of not taking the field at all in 2022.

No compromise deal has yet been reached between the players, clubs and Newcastle RL officials.

Haines and Griffiths originally signed with Kurri before doubling up with Cessnock. They sought releases to play at the Goannas, which were denied by the Bulldogs. NSWRL also made a ruling.

* MATT Soper-Lawler will move to fullback for Maitland with Daniel Langbridge (ankle) out. The Pickers are drawn to meet the Bulldogs at Kurri Sportsground, which remains in doubt because of drainage issues.

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