The Group 20 under 23s side will head across to Wagga on Saturday night looking to bring the bragging rights back with them when they take on the Group Nine under 23s at Equex Centre.
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It will be a tough test for the Group 20 side who fell to Group Nine last season when the Kelly Cup match was played at EW Moore Oval, but coach Brent Pike feels his side is in a good position this season to take the fight to the Group Nine side.
“We just have to be physical,” he said.
“Group 9 are quite a fast side so if we are able to be physical up the middle we have some classy backs who can use their speed out wide.
“If we can out muscle them early that will be key to our success.”
If we can out muscle them early that will be key to our success
- Brent Pike
The side only had their first full-squad training run last week, but Pike felt things were coming together well.
“They were a bit rusty for the first run but once they got use to each other things came together,” he said.
“Once they started to hit their straps, the combinations started to form, and we have another training run tonight (Wednesday) to cement the plays.”
When asked who to look out for he pointed to one of his forwards.
“I think Jaden Clarke will be the main man for us,” he said.
“He has to see if he can get off work first but he has really been taking the team by the horns and leading them around the park.”
Meanwhile, Group Nine under 23 coach James Smart was pleased to report that his entire squad got through the opening round unscathed ahead of the Riverina selection trial at 2pm on Saturday.
Riverina under 23s coach Josh Cale will be an interested onlooker as he prepares to pick the Bulls side to compete in the Country Championship.
Riverina will face GSR West Tigers in the opening round of the Southern Pool at Campbelltown Stadium on Saturday May 5.