In our new weekly column we put the magnifying glass over Dubbo's two senior rugby clubs, the Roos and the Rhinos.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
After each round we'll take a lot at what worked for the sides, what didn't, and anything else that caught our eye as the two clubs work attempt to work themselves back into finals contention in their respective competitions.
Here's the round one report.
THE GOOD
Roos
Winning! How good is it!? The Roos started the season with a bang on Saturday, easily getting past a rusty Bathurst Bulldogs outfit at Apex Oval.
It might only be one game back into the Blowes Clothing Cup season but things just look right for the Roos. There seems to be real unison between the backs and the forwards rather than it being two different groups sharing the field. And speaking of the backline, it is electric. Tim Beach bagged three tries on Saturday but fellow winger Moa Kavaefiafi made a real impact in defence and attack before succumbing to a hamstring strain.
Centres Johnny Mafiti and Filisione Pauta are only going to get better, as well.
The other standout moments for the Roos on Saturday was a hugely exciting women's side also getting the job done against a premiership-winning Bulldogs outfit. They're a side to watch this year.
The crowd at Apex was great as well. The 500-person limit will be in place for some time and the Roos were forced to make people wait to enter on Saturday given the interest in the fixtures.
Rhinos
Effort and intensity across an entire game. It's something we haven't seen much of from, in all honesty, have been pretty poor Rhinos first grade sides the past two years.
Improvement was promised and it showed on Saturday as the Rhinos really could have beaten New Holland Cup premiers CSU on their own turf. It might have been a defeat but there was plenty to like about it.
The Rhinos' second grade side also only just lost, showing there is some depth at the club.
The Rhinos' colts were another positive on Saturday. The young Rhinos are a mix of regular rugby players and newcomers but like any Rhinos junior side, they can entertain.
They did so on Saturday at Apex, crushing local rivals Roos 28-5.
READ ALSO:
THE BAD
Roos
Big men kicking for themselves. We shouldn't have to say this. Don't.
Hooker Will Anderson attempted this on Saturday after he made a half break along the sideline but only managed to put the ball into touch on the full.
It was right in front of the grandstand so the crowd, mainly those supporting Anderson and the home team, let him know about it as well.
Anderson, a Roos junior back this year, was a good sport about it though as he too had a laugh and gestured back to those in the stands in a way we won't mention here.
Rhinos
Coach Darren Taylor brings real passion to the Rhinos and that, the majority of the time, is a great thing.
But if he really wants to change the attitude of the Rhinos and improve discipline at the club he needs to lead by example.
The Rhinos had a number of tries disallowed in the match at Bathurst on Saturday and had they right to feel like it was a win that got away.
But complaining to the referee in a big way post-game isn't the way to do it. That's not what a side trying to set a real foundation for itself needs.
We've got a lot of time for Taylor here and are backing him to get the Rhinos back up the ladder in 2020 but he must set the tone at the top for others to follow. Even if his side has every right to feel aggrieved