DUBBO Kangaroos captain Shaun McHugh said his side isn't worried about the Blowes Clothing Cup ladder leading into tomorrow's clash with the Mudgee Wombats.
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But he'll be aware the sixth-placed Roos need a win after going down to Cowra by one point last week, a loss which saw them fall five points off fifth place.
McHugh and his men return home to No. 1 Oval tomorrow for an all-important clash with the Wombats but the captain said his team isn't concerned about where they're sitting at the moment.
"I think all games are must win but we're not too worried about the ladder, we feel we haven't played a team yet that we can't beat," he said.
"We haven't seen Mudgee but know they're going well and it's going to be tough so we're just keen to get out there and rectify some of the mistakes we made last week."
McHugh admitted his side panicked with the ball a little after having to defend their line for so long against the Eagles last weekend.
With the side keen to work their way into attacking positions, the skipper admitted he and some of the older players in the team will have to keep the less experienced Roos calm when in possession.
The Roos attack could receive a huge boost tomorrow with former NSW Country Cockatoo star Filisone Pauta expected to make his return.
Pauta was a vital part of the Roos' premiership success last season at outside centre and reportedly arrived back in Dubbo this week
While a player of the powerful Pauta's quality would slot into any side in the Blowes Clothing Cup, McHugh admits it's not that easy.
"You just mention his name and everyone knows how good he is, you don't become player of the year for the Country Cockatoos for no reason, he's a class player, but if he is back then he's got to earn his spot," he said.
"The way we're set up now you've got to earn your stripes no matter who you are or what you've played, you've got to earn it because we've got competition for spots."
Mudgee have been a revelation in 2015 and after struggling to win a game last season now sit in fourth spot.
A lot has been down to the form of the influential Rota Setu while the whole Mudgee backline has caused countless headaches for the rest of the competition.
"I haven't seen or heard too much except that they've got a lethal back three so if we kick we'll have to kick it out or just keep the ball away from them," McHugh said.
"Our forwards have been good and we'll have to dominate there and let our backs do the work."
The Dubbo Kangaroos' first grade clash with Mudgee kicks off tomorrow at 3.15pm.
