The Sydney players have may have been together less than a week in the lead-up to Saturday's National Rugby Championship match at Dubbo, but the spirit within the new-look squad was clear to see.
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It wasn't the perfect start for Sydney on Saturday, as a late rally proved not enough in a gripping 38-33 loss to the NSW Country Eagles at Apex Oval.
Captain Lalakai Foketi admitted his side was shell-shocked early as the Eagles rocketed out to 26-0 lead inside 20 minutes, but the way his side fought back provides plenty of confidence moving forward.
"We didn't expect them to come out firing like that," Foketi said.
"We were 26-0 down and we were chasing it the whole game."
Sydney never led at any point in the match, but after finishing the first half with two quick tries they came out firing in the second stanza and levelled things up at 26-all.
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NSW Country captain Ned Hanigan was off the field following a yellow card as Sydney fought back, and his return played a major part in the hosts going on to get the win.
But the effort to get so close was a major positive for Easts centre Foketi.
"Towards the end of the first half we started to do what we wanted and it paid dividends. We're a tram that likes to run with ball and play in open spacer so we'll learn from that and try to create opportunities next week," he said.
"It's a great bunch of boys and we're only getting stronger and we're bonding more.
"It's the first week and we only came together for the first time on Tuesday so it's only up from here and we'll take a lot of learning out of this.
"We'll look at the film, take the positives, and we can't let teams start that fast. That's the main thing."
The performance of flyhalf Will Harrison will also no doubt please the Sydney side.
Harrison didn't get his hands on the ball too much early on but the Randwick number 10 soon worked his way into the game and scored a fine individual try when kicking and regathering late in the first half.
Prop Rory O'Connor also enjoyed some strong moments against a powerful Eagles pack while Foketi, nursing a cut and black eye after the game, also never stopped working.
Foketi and his troops may not have had as much support as the Eagles at Apex Oval, as expected, but there was still plenty of love for the men in blue post-game.
Both sets of players spent time with the fans, posing for countless photos and signing autographs.
"It's awesome to come out here. It's my first time in Dubbo and I'm loving it," Foketi added.
"It's a great field. We didn't know what to expect but it's in fine nick and I'd love to play here again.
"It's a great crowd, too, so it's been awesome to see everyone out supporting rugby union."
Sydney travels to Queensland next to take on Brisbane City in round two while the NSW Country Eagles are on the road to play Melbourne Rising.
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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.
