The Dubbo Rhinos will need to be back at their best this weekend when they take on the Narromine Gorillas in the New Holland Agriculture Cup.
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The Rhinos led CSU Bathurst 21-3 at half-time last week before ill-discipline allowed the student back into the match, eventually winning 32-21.
Dubbo flyhalf Dale Smith knows the loss is still hurting the squad ahead of Saturday's game.
"Obviously we are gutted from last week," he said.
"We were right in that game at half-time but then ship just sunk."
Narromine currently sits at the bottom of the ladder with just one win this season but Smith admitted there is no reason to take the Gorillas lightly.
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"Everyone is tough to beat on their day," he said.
"There are no easy games in this competition. We need to put our best performance on the field each week."
Smith has been one of the Rhinos' best this season so far and along with Nash Forgione have had a hand in the majority of the side's tries.
However, Smith downplayed his own performances to date and feels he can improve over the remainder of the season.
"I'm going alright," he said.
"There are a few things I can work on week to week but overall I feel like I'm contributing to the team well."
Rhinos coach Doug Sandry opted to move Smith into flyhalf from fullback just a few weeks ago in a move which has opened up the Dubbo side's attack.
Smith admitted he was hesitant at first but has warmed into his new position.
"At the start, I was a bit how you going," he said.
"But I'm kind of relishing the opportunities and there is a bit more responsibility. It kind of hit me hard at first but it's going alright now."
Smith knows the Rhinos are capable of matching any team on their day but feels the game plan for the match this week would be pretty simple.
"Sticking to our structure mainly," he said.
"When we go away from our structure it all goes downhill.
"Stick to our structure and discipline is a big thing for us as well. If we keep 15 people on the field we usually win games but yellows and reds [cards] are killing us this year."
Over the last month, the Rhinos have played some outstanding football which allowed them briefly to move into the top three of the competition.
However, the loss last weekend means the Rhinos move back to fourth position behind Mudgee.
Smith knows the last few matches have given the side a lot of confidence going into the final rounds of the season.
"Certainly, we are getting good numbers to training lately," he said.
"The confidence is there, it's just whether we can put in the performance on the field."
Like he did with Smith, coach Sandry is showing he is not afraid to move his key players around with captain Matt Graham set to move from hooker to flanker this weekend.
"We've got 'Grimace' moving into flanker this game," Smith said.
"He is leading us boys around really well."
Kick-off is at 3:15pm at Cale Oval.
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