Last time the Dubbo Rhinos played CSU it was the first time they had appeared in the Blowes Clothing Cup since 2012.
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That was round one of this year and on Saturday the Rhinos play host to the Bathurst side again knowing they have become a better team since then.
The men in black and yellow broke through for their first win last week at Parkes and co-coach Dave Stuart wants his side to build on that momentum.
“We’ve got to make a real game of this and hopefully that win gave the boys some motivation,” he said.
“It was pretty muddy at Parkes but I think it will be a pretty good track at Caltex so I’m predicting a bit more of an open match and we’re up for that.”
The Dubbo side is shaping to be virtually the same as last week, finally giving Stuart some consistency and stability.
There are a few question marks over the exact makeup of the 15 with Ricky Weatherall set to play either fullback or outside centre while star back rower Sam McLeod may again spend time in the backline.
“We’ve done a lot of work around the breakdown and I think our ability to retain the ball has improved and the understanding of what we’re trying to do,” Stuart said.
“Our defence in about the last month, the majority of that around the ruck has been solid but we’ve got to look at the defence in our backs because that’s where they (CSU) got through last time.”
The forwards have been the catalyst behind the Rhinos improvement with the pack now up to the standard required to compete week in, week out.
But the backline remains a work in progress with wingers James Vaughan and Adam Quill continuing to find their feet in the central west’s premier competition.
Stuart said they will again need to be ready as he expects the students to throw the ball around play some attacking rugby.
The CSU side has shown plenty of promise this season and they currently sit eighth with three wins to their name.
If the Rhinos were to score consecutive wins and make it two for the season they would start breathing down the neck of Parkes and boost their own chances of avoiding the wooden spoon in their first season back in the Blowes Clothing Cup.
“They threw it around against us last time so I don’t think they’ll change much,” Stuart said.
“But if we can get a bit more field position we should go alright.”
Saturday’s first grade clash kicks off at 3.15pm at Caltex Park.
The match will be the only one involving a Dubbo side this weekend as the Kangaroos enjoy the bye after beating the previously undefeated Orange Emus last weekend.