“We’re not the whipping boys we were last year.”
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The Dubbo Rhinos have had a year to get used to life back in the Blowes Clothing Cup and now it’s time to start putting some results on the board.
That’s the message from Rhinos coach Dave Stuart as his side prepares to host reigning premiers Orange Emus at No. 1 Oval on Saturday afternoon.
The Rhinos returned to the region’s premier rugby union competition last season but struggled for both victories and also numbers at different stages of the year.
There were glimpses of quality but the side eventually finished the year with the wooden spoon, having won just two games.
But with a full pre-season under the belt and a number of new faces, three of which shape as real gamechangers, hopes are high heading into the 2017 campaign.
While the local players from last season have all improved, according to Stuart, much of the Rhinos’ hopes look to rest with Kiwi imports Harris Solomon, Collin Hokianga and Teina Huia.
Solomon will play scrumhalf and Hokianga will partner him at flyhalf and the pair have been tasked with giving the Rhinos the kind of direction which was missing at time in 2016.
Huia will provide the grunt, lining up at No. 8 and replacing last season’s standout player Sam McLeod, who has departed for the Narromine Gorillas.
There is also the chance Wellington’s Dan Ah-See, who spent time playing in the New England region in recent times, will line up with Rhinos having trained with club recently.
“It’s pretty exciting to have the number of guys to choose from,” Stuart said, with the Rhinos set to field four grade sin 2017.
“And the new recruits will allow us to play a different style to last season.
“They (Solomon and Hokianga) will just bring that communication and structure and that game management which we probably lacked a bit last season and that’s fantastic.
“They’re all young guys and they’ll all add something and Teina will add some real oomph in attack and defence.
“They’re three smart players and they can go a long way to changing the way we play and then we’ve still got guys like Ricky Weatherall, Kane Rich and Jordan Davis, who has stepped up as captain this year.”
Stuart said the biggest thing for his side this season is consistency, adding that and a bit of luck can help them score some surprise wins and push for a finals place this year.
The Rhinos host the Orange Emus at No. 1 Oval on Saturday with the first grade match at 3.15pm.