The Dubbo Rhinos have received plenty of praise from rivals for vastly improved performances in the New Holland Agriculture Cup this season.
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But for the players and coach Doug Sandry, that's not enough.
The Rhinos have produced some of their best rugby in years during 2021 but after six rounds the side has just the one win to its name and sits in fourth spot on the ladder.
It's much better than the back-to-back seasons without a win endured in 2019 and 2020, but the goal within the squad goes much further than being competitive.
"The last few years with the results we were getting close losses were well-taken and it was nice to have a crack," prop Brett Austin said.
"But this year we've got the side to win it so close losses don't sit really well.
"We know we should be winning games and we're not. That's a frustrating thing."
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This weekend the Rhinos are on the road to take on CSU, having pushed the Bathurst side for much of the 80 minutes in their prior meeting this season.
A slow start allowed CSU to skip out to a strong early lead in that match while things were similar last weekend in the Rhinos' 25-12 loss at Mudgee.
"We just need to front up and be ready to play. Every week we seem to give away a quick try and then we get into the game but then we got to sleep in the final five minutes," Austin said.
"That was the case at Mudgee, they scored in the first five and then two tires in the last minute and their only other one was a 50m intercept. It's frustrating and the Parkes game was the same when they scored two tries in the final five minutes."
CSU Dave Conyers liked what he saw from the Rhinos during their previous meeting this season and said the Dubbo side was "turning a good corner".
Making the Rhinos' task at Bathurst that little more difficult is the potential absence of Dale Smith.
The young fullback has been one of the competition's best this season but could be set for a stint on the sidelines after a knee injury suffered at Mudgee last weekend.
Kieren Hill has played a little fullback for the Rhinos this season while Nash Forgione and Harry May are other options for the number 15 jersey.
A physical battle is expected at Bathurst as CSU's forward pack has been stronger than it has in previous years this season.
The students still possess plenty of pace and power out wide though and they're coming into this game off the bye last weekend.
CSU currently sits second behind the unbeaten Parkes while Mudgee is seven points back in third and there's a further four to the Rhinos in fourth.
The Narromine Gorillas, without a win to their name, are at the foot of the ladder.
"We know we've only got to make top four. Finals are a whole different beast but it would still be nice to get a bit of a roll on before then," Austin said.
Kick-off at University Oval is at 3.15pm, Saturday.
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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.
