IT was not even seven months ago the Dubbo Kangaroos were lifting the Blowes Clothing Cup but tomorrow they begin their title defence with a team virtually unrecognisable to the one which was dominant throughout 2014.
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The 2015 rugby union season has arrived and the Roos head to Narromine tomorrow to take on the Gorillas at Cale Oval.
James Mata, John Korff and the long-serving Shaun McHugh are set to be the only players from the grand final starting 15 to take to the field tomorrow and new coach Vince Gordon is keen to see his team in action.
"We're not looking too bad, Scott Vaughan and myself are working well together," he said.
"There's a lot of changes so it will be interesting to see how this season unfolds."
While it appears to be a brand new team there are still many players familiar with the Roos faithful.
Props Ned Williams and Pete Graham have started in the front row numerous times and began last season's final from the bench while James Gilmour, Bryce Williams and Blake Sharp all played prominent roles during 2014.
Gordon admits it's pleasing to have so many players in the team who are familiar with the Dubbo system.
"Very much so, we're back to a more local unit which is good and there's some guys who have played with us before in the juniors and we've got some of our Colts coming up so it should be good."
Former Orange City captain will line up at hooker while former Yeoval Eagles pair Elias Kinscher and Will Orr have returned and will start in jerseys six and 13 respectively.
The backline may be inexperienced but it features plenty of firepower with young guns Bryce Williams, Blake Sharpe and Charles O'Connor all keen to make an impact.
One player who looks set to shoulder more responsibility in 2015 is James Mata.
The mercurial and versatile Mata has played a number of positions in his time with the Roos but looks set to make the flyhalf's jersey his won this season.
Gordon said he will be looking to his new number to lead his side around the park.
"10 plays a critical role, as does Aaron (Payne) in the nine," Gordon said.
"Eight, nine and 10, to me, are the key spots in a team. Shaun McHugh at eight holds it all together, the nine drives the forward pack on and then number 10 orchestrates it all."
Gordon confessed his side will be heading into the unknown a bit tomorrow with the Gorillas enjoying a low key off-season after finishing 2014 in seventh place.
"I'm not too sure to tell the truth," Gordon said when asked what he expects.
"They're always up for a game against Dubbo so we're not kidding ourselves. They might be a bit like us with some retirements and changes but they always lift to play Dubbo."
Two players who could play a role off the bench are new recruits Benn Wright and Moavuka Kavaefiafi.
The pair have only recently arrived so will began their season in second grade but Gordon is excited by the potential of both, especially Wright who is a former NSW Country representative prop.
Tomorrow's match kicks off at 3.15pm.
DUBBO (subject to change): 1 Ned Williams, 2 Josh Tremain, 3 Peter Graham, 4 John Korff, 5 Dan Armitage, 6 Elias Kinscher, 7 James Gilmour, 8 Sean McHugh, 9 Aaron Payne, 10 James Mata, 11 Bryce Williams, 12 Will Orr, 13 Tim Long, 14 Blake Sharpe, 15 Charles O'Connor
