The Dubbo Rhinos aren't expecting anything to come easy this season but that doesn't mean they're not excited for the new campaign.
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The draw for the 2021 New Holland Agriculture Cup was released earlier this week and that, combined with a rise in numbers at training recently, has created a real buzz around the men in black and gold.
The Rhinos will have the bye in the opening round on April 10 before back-to-back home games against Mudgee and CSU Bathurst.
The Blowes Clothing Cup draw was released last month but the wait for the New Holland fixtures was because of restrictions around Apex Oval this year and the impact it has on the Rhinos.
The Rhinos' home ground must be closed for a number of weeks in the lead-up to the NRL fixture between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and Penrith Panthers on May 23 while it is also out of action on the June long weekend due to the staging of the 2021 Positive Rugby Foundation Boys NSW State Championships under 14s carnival.
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While it forces the Rhinos out, it has allowed the club to book in a Friday night match against the Parkes Boars at No. 1 Oval on May 7.
"We've learnt previously when we've had a couple of Friday night games the crowd that turns up is sensational," Rhinos president Ian Burns said.
"It was all dependant on Parkes and they agreed straight away so we're looking forward to it.
"There will be two games, seconds and firsts, and Parkes were last year's (first grade) premiers and I imagine they'll be decent again.
"We've been training well and doing okay so hopefully we'll put on a show."
The second-tier New Holland competition again features five clubs with the Narromine Gorillas joining the Rhinos, Boars, Mudgee, and CSU.
The Gorillas start their season at home to CSU while they meet the Rhinos for the first time in 2021 in a round four battle on May 1.
There will be 15 rounds in the regular season while the grand final will be played on August 14.
The Rhinos head in to 2021 having not won a match on the field in the past two years - they received a forfeit from CSU to earn points last season - but some new players at training are, pleasingly, bringing quality as well as depth.
"It doesn't matter who you play, they're all tough games," Burns said.
"But all of a sudden the side is looking a lot brighter."
The Rhinos are in the process of confirming a number of trial games, with the first of those to be against the Griffith All Blacks at Barden Park on March 7.
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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.
