Former representative five-eighth Kurt Lewis will line up in the “blue and gold” after signing with the BHP Billiton Hunter Valley Group 21 Rugby League club.

The talented utility has spent the past two seasons, with the Wingham Tigers, in the Group 3 competition on the Mid-North Coast.

Lewis captain-coached Wingham in 2016 and guided the Tigers to the preliminary final – the club’s best result in a decade.

He stayed with the organisation this year, however, a knee injury and suspension limited his appearances.

A regular in Group and North Coast representative teams, Lewis also had stints with Forster-Tuncurry Hawks, Taree City Bulls, Port City Breakers and Old Bar.

The Rams will be coached in 2018 by former Forster-Tuncurry playmaker Troy Hilder, who is now working in the area.

The new mentor takes over the reins from Gary “Bomber” Jones and Steve Haylen, who steered Muswellbrook to successive Group 21 grand finals in 2016 and 2017.

Hilder’s partner, Kylie, is also the Country Rugby League (CRL) female participation officer.

She received the Country v City Women’s Player of the Match award at the recent CRL presentation night at the Hyatt Regency.