The Rhinos have, for the large part, impressed in their first season back in Blowes Clothing Cup but since wins over Parkes and CSU they have hardly been able to train due to ground closures caused by the ongoing wet weather.

“We’ve had some disjointed training for about a month and it’s starting to show in our performance a little,” Stuart said in regards to his side’s 70-12 loss to Orange City last week.

“It takes away the momentum.”

Defence out wide is again a focus for the Rhinos heading into this week’s challenging test against the second-placed Forbes Magpies at Caltex Park.

City ran rings around the men in black and gold on the flanks last week and Stuart feels tightening up that area can be the catalyst for a far better performance.

“If we can get that right I still think we’ve got the forwards to match it with these teams,” he said.

“We got it right against CSU but it’s just about consistent performances from all our outside backs. They’ve got to make sure they’re in the right positions because when we get it right it’s good but when we struggle they just go around us.”

Stuart expects the Forbes side to be “really organised” and confessed his own side could be without two of their best in Sam McLeod and Kade Goodwin.

Goodwin looks set for a stint on the sidelines after he broke his finger early in the match against City while McLeod didn’t even get to run on as he hurt back during the warm-up.

While he hadn’t had the chance to cast his over his charges at training, Stuart stated Goodwin was almost certain to miss the match while McLeod was in serious doubt after being in some significant pain last week.

That makes the Rhinos’ challenge against the in-form Platypi even more difficult.

The Forbes outfit have been in fine form all year and have lost just twice this season.

Last week they cruised past CSU, a side the Rhinos just edged out in the final minutes, 50-0.

With strike weapons all over the park and one of the competition’s star players in Mahe Fangupo calling the shots from scrumhalf, the Platypi have confirmed themselves as serious contenders and Stuart admitted his side have to be realistic when facing the top teams in the central west’s premier competition.

The coach said he was pleased with the way his side kept putting in the effort right up until the final whistle against City but was determined to produce a better effort on Saturday. Last time the two sides met the Platypi won 36-7.

Saturday’s first grade match kicks off at 3.15pm.