SIRU
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DESPITE a heavy loss of key players, Wagga City coach Mick Small believes the Boiled Lollies will not be underestimated this Southern Inland Rugby Union season.
The Boiled Lollies started last season virtually unknown before blossoming into a premiership threat in making the SIRU preliminary final against Albury.
Speaking yesterday, Small declared the Boiled Lollies had the recruits to overcome the loss of stars Keegan Thornhill and Sam King.
However, Small said English recruit Hamish Wrafter, who won the Bill Castle Medal for best and fairest player in the competition last year, hasn't been completely ruled out for the upcoming season.
"We lost Keegan and Hamish is still not 100 per cent with what he's doing yet, I spoke to him (on Thursday night) and he hasn't figured it out yet," Small said.
"We also lost our halfback Sam King to Western Australia to work in the mines.
"Having Justin Sheridan back is a big help for us though. Justin was one of the best backrowers around when he left for Sydney about four or five years ago, and we think he'll help a lot with losing Keegan, who was a big loss for us.
"He's got a little bit more flair, he might have the spark to make up for it."
A young mystery scrum half from Fiji is also on the list of possible recruits, while New Zealand talent Zac Archer will debut in the backline.
Originally targeted as a rugby league talent, Archer has trialled with the Melbourne Storm but has decided to make the switch to rugby to try and crack the top grade in Australia.
"We've also got a young flyhalf from New Zealand coming over, Zac Archer," Small said.
"He was trialling with the Melbourne Storm in the NRL but he's a handy young player and is keen to give it a crack over here.
"We've got our sign up day on Australia Day, so we'll see what happens there but then we'll start preseason training on January 29."
Small revealed explosive talent Jason Lagaali would join him on the coaching staff this season after making a fierce impression in the second half of the season last year.
"I suppose his experience in being a former Brumbies squad member will be a huge asset," Small said.
"He's very influential on the field and a leader on the field and he has a lot to teach the younger guys coming up through the ranks.
"He's got some great ideas and he's really taken the bull by the horns with this, he's jumping out of his skin to get the season started."
Wagga City will play Ag College at Beres Ellwood Oval in the first round of competition on April 13.