Dubbo Rhinos women's coach Ian Burns is confident the side will continue its charge in the 2019 Westfund Ferguson Cup as they look for a second win on Saturday.
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Co-captains and established players Cailin O'Connor and Talei Perese led the Rhinos to victory in their 2019 season opener, a 21-7 win over the brand new Wellington.
But Burns said the Rhinos would be facing much more established teams where the win isn't going to be as easy for them to take home - starting this weekend against CSU Bathurst.
"This year is going to be competitive, and the girls are definitely going into the season competitive," Burns said.
"I hope that we are still in there towards the end of the year.
"I think it's going to be a good year for us."
Burns had acknowledged last year the team had a lot of skills that they needed to improve.
"The girls trained the same as the boys both in training and in fitness," Burns said.
"They weren't treated any differently."
But unfortunately Burns wasn't present during the Rhinos' first game to see all of their hard work pay off.
"I wasn't there unfortunately, which was sad," he said.
"It was disappointing to have missed the girls' first game.
"But I know the girls were looked after."
Vice president Richard Tegart stood in as the teams' coach during Burns' absence during the game.
"It was great to have won," Burns said.
"There are a few new faces featuring on the team this year who have no previous experience playing rugby.
"But there are also quite a few returning players from last year.
"I'm not sure if that has anything to do with their performance or not.
"To get the win was fantastic."
He said that considering Wellington was a new team, they played rather well.
"Considering the talent Wellington has on their side I'm sure they will develop rather quickly," he said.
Burns said that the Rhinos had some great talent on their side regardless.
"We have three very well-established players on our side," he said.
But the women will no doubt go up against much tougher competition as they merge further into the season.
In the men's New Holland Agriculture Cup competition the Rhinos are yet to record a win.
But they'll be looking to change that against an understrength CSU on Saturday.
Kick off is at 3.15pm at Bathurst's University Oval.
