While watching first grade matches as a hugely impressed spectator last season there was something Paul Hausia noticed what set the top sides apart in the Blowes Clothing Cup.
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And it's what he wants to see from the Dubbo Kangaroos in 2021 after stepping up to the job of head coach at the club.
Hausia, who has a long association with rugby but is well known for coaching a successful Geurie Goats side in more recent times, linked up with the Roos prior to last season.
He coached the colts side in 2020 and this year he will train both the club's youngsters and it's first grade side.
And while he will set the gameplan and talk to his players before and during games, there's one thing he wants to see from the Roos this year.
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"Eighty per cent of rugby is eyes up footy," he said.
"I've always said for me, as coach, it's about mentoring.
"I'm not out there playing the 80 minutes and there's going to be times when the players have to make decisions of their own and they might not necessarily be in the game plan.
"It's all good to have a platform and foundation but if you see a gap then you've got to take it.
"I always want the players to see what's there and that's the challenge.
"It's what Orange Emus did and it's what Orange City did."
Hausia won't be making mass changes at the Roos this season and for him it's more about continuing what the likes of former director of coaching Beau Robinson and the coaching team have developed in recent years.
Former Super Rugby premiership winner and Wallaby Robinson has departed Dubbo after three years at the Roos and while there's been praise for what he set in place during that time, no premiership in the senior grades was won during his tenure.
"I'll just tweak a few things, which always happens," Hausia said.
"I think there's a sense in first grade they know their ability and want to do more."
The early signs have been positive, with more than 50 players across all grades regularly turning out during the first couple of weeks of pre-season training.
Things will ramp up in the coming months and trial games are expected in March before the Roos hit the road in round one of the Blowes Clothing Cup and take on Orange City on April 17.
Hausia will lead the colts and first grade sides that day and having those sides sing from the same hymn sheet is something he considers crucial.
"We've got the current first grade players and future of the club so it's important to install stability there," he said.
Of the current and returning players, Hausia singled out captain Shaun McHugh and former NSW Country representative Filisione Pauta as key figures.
The vastly experienced figures will provide vital leadership on and off the field while Pauta is also stepping up to act as backline coach alongside Jason Coyle for first grade and colts.
Simon Petelo, a former first grade coach, will control the forwards while Hausia will oversee it all.
Paul Elliott will coach second grade again while Dean Matthews has returned to the club and will assist Josh Laurie with third grade.
Angus McDonald and Kieran Smith are returning to coach the Roos' women's side which completed an unbeaten regular season in 2020 only to suffer a shock defeat in the decider.