Coming off a bye last round and with just four matches remaining, a win this week would result in the Rhinos leapfrogging the Wombats and trail CSU Bathurst and Parkes on the ladder.

Even more importantly, a win and third place would mean the Rhinos host the minor semi-final on July 31.

Rhinos coach Doug Sandry knows every game is important heading into the finals but has his eyes solely on Mudgee for now.

"The winner will go into third place, whether Mudgee stay there or we can knock them off and go into there," he said.

"That's going to set up either side for the final few weeks before we head into the finals."

READ ALSO:

Sandry felt the week off helped his players, who feel they can match with the Wombats.

"They're pretty confident actually," he said.

"We know we can do better defensively than we did against Parkes.

"We put five tries on Parkes but we couldn't stop that many so we know we have to be better defensively.

"We know we have the attacking skill there to do it but the boys have got to believe in themselves and that self-belief will hopefully come through this weekend for the victory we need."

The Wombats traditionally boast a strong forward pack and Sandry knows the game will be decided in the middle of the park.

"[They are] very physical in the forwards," he said.

"They really are a well-drilled pack of forwards.

"Lachie Brown and Dave Jessiman are really strong over the ball at the breakdown so if we aren't securing our own ball then we are going to find it tough.

"We've done a bit of work on it in the last couple of weeks since we've had the bye and we just have to be stronger there.

"We've spoken about it and now it's up to the boys to put it into action."

The Rhinos will be without Ryan McCracken, who is unavailable due to work commitments.

Sandry is hoping his side can carry momentum over the next month of football heading into the finals series with every game now important.

"It is, we're starting to roll into those next few weeks now," he said.

"We're really hoping we can start to peak and start to be ready for the finals but it has to start this weekend.

"We have four games in a row before a bye then finals so we want to make sure we are winning as many of those games as we can and it has to start on Saturday."

In the other match of the round, Narromine will be hoping they can build off a strong performance against CSU last week when they travel to Parkes to take on the undefeated Boars.

CSU has the week off with the bye.

Kick-off is at 3:15pm.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: