This weekend's New Holland Agriculture Cup second round clash at King George Oval is one between two sides very much coming to terms with a new way of working.
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The Dubbo Rhinos, settling into life under new coach Mark Reijnen, travel to Blayney on Saturday to take on a Rams side now under the tutelage of former Blowes Clothing Cup premiership winner Steve Hamson.
Hamson, one of the most well-known mentors in Central West Rugby Union, coached at Blayney before embarking on a hugely successful stint with Orange City.
He has returned for season 2019 and while his side suffered a round one loss to Bathurst CSU, he saw plenty of positives.
The same goes for the Rhinos under Reijnen.
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The coach was all too aware the round one performance against Parkes, in a match the Rhinos lost, was far from perfect but he still took heart from the effort.
The two sides do battle on Saturday.
Reijnen refused to comment on Rhinos' build-up to the game, saying there was little to say about his side, but Hamson was glowing when speaking about the Rams.
Not only are his players coming to terms with a new style, many are still coming to grips with rugby union after only limited experience in the 15-man game previously.
"No style is beyond them as they're a talented group of players," Hamson said.
No style is beyond them as they're a talented group of players.
- Blayney coach Steve Hamson
"The transition requires just a bit more depth than what we're used to and I think we struggled with that a bit this (last) week."
While a win to get the season up and running will be the main focus for the two teams heading into Saturday, both the Rhinos and Rams will looking for more flowing performances on Saturday.
When speaking after the loss to Parkes Reijnen said it was a "scrappy" game, while Hamson said something similar after the CSU loss.
Kick-off Saturday is 3.15pm at Blayney's King George Oval.
The Dubbo Rhinos women's side starts its 2019 Westfund Ferguson Cup season on Saturday against Wellington after a round one bye, while the Rhinos colts have a bye this weekend.
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Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
