The first game of the afternoon pits Dubbo Roos Red against Dubbo Roos Blue in the under-17 competition. This game will kick off at 2pm.

At 3.15pm the visiting Coonabarabran Kookas run onto Apex Oval as something of a dark horse with a 3/2 record so far this season.

After holding up the bottom half of the competition for some time stories abound of the great improvement shown by them this year and the Rhinos will have to be on the top of their game for the full 80 minutes.

Last week the Rhinos got out of jail by a point against Yeoval and can consider themselves lucky that Chris Hobson had his goal kicking boots on.

This week they welcome back the dangerous Rob Davy for the first time in 2015 and his elusive running will add another dimension to a backline which has been short on penetration and zip. Davy takes the place of Scott McGregor (influenza). The forward pack is much the same as last week however Lionel Wood comes into the side as starting prop.

Chris Bellhouse will start after a lengthy injury spell, adding speed and thrust to the pack and evergreen Bruno Efoti retains the No.8 spot. Ra Dean played long minutes against Yeoval and thoroughly deserves his starting role. He has lost weight and increased his mobility and alongside hooker Thomas Kianuku and Wood forms a powerful front row. Hopefully coach Darren Taylor has worked hard on defence, especially around the rucks, and improved the pack's scrummaging; two areas which were noticeably down last week.

Service from the base of the scrum needs to be improved if centres Kade Goodwin and Davy are to be allowed space to move. The back three of Andy McClymont, Ata Manu and Ed Morrish are all safe in defence and deserve greater opportunity with the ball in hand.

Everything points to a tough, uncompromising game with the winner well into semi-finals consideration.

Gates open at 1pm with special entry packages for the ladies.