The Gunnedah Red Devils hope to play their first trial match of the year this Saturday, after their planned outing last Saturday was aborted due to wet weather.
Gunnedah’s senior rugby union teams are set to host the Dubbo Rhinos at Gunnedah Rugby Park this Saturday, after the Tamworth Magpies first and reserve grade teams had been scheduled to play at the same venue a week earlier.
As was the case in the lead-up to last Saturday, the Red Devils are again preparing to field a largely new-look line-up with several newcomers to the club.
James Perrett and Lachy Mack are likely to return from injury spells while other familiar names include Lachie McArthur, Nick Lyons, Jack Inder, Lachie Straney, John McKay, Hamish Hockings, Patrick Grant, Bill Whitney, Tom McGowan and Cameron Mitchell.
Once again, Tim McDermott will be unavailable due to other commitments.
Red Devils coach Daniel Martin said a key part of the trials was about getting involved in the physical side of things including tackling, rucks and mauls as “it hardens the body”.
“There’s only so much you can do at training,” he said.
As for game structure, Martin said it was about “looking at the basics” including line speed and defence.
“If your defence is up to standard, you’ll be in the game for a long time,” he said.
“If you leak too many points, it makes your job twice as hard.”
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