GROUP NINE
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
MISSION possible is the way Temora coach Anthony Chambeyron rates the Dragons’ chances of toppling Albury in the Group Nine blockbuster at Nixon Park on Sunday.
Throwing his support fully behind the team, Chambeyron yesterday insisted Temora would not be awed by the task of knocking off Albury from its rugby league pedestal.
“It’s all a matter of sticking to our structures and gelling as a team,” Chambeyron said yesterday.
“I’m sure we can be more than competitive – we will be trying to win the game.
“This is not about being cocky.
“There is self-belief in the team after two wins in two games.”
Reflecting a growing confidence in the Dragons, Chambeyron’s comments will only fuel the surging interest in the duel between two of the only four unbeaten teams in the premiership.
Two weeks into the Group Nine season, Albury, Temora, Kangaroos and Southcity have yet to lose, but the focus will fall on the Dragons and Thunder on Sunday.
With Temora coming off successive wins over Junee (34-20) and Tumbarumba (38-12), Chambeyron said the Dragons players were “excited at the challenge” of ending Albury’s winning streak.
“We see it (game) as a great opportunity,” he said.
“It’s also going to be a very good test (for us).”
Although putting on a brave front, Chambeyron was definitely not running down the Thunder yesterday, lifting the team ahead of the pack.
“They’re the team to beat (for the title),” he said.
“It’ll be very tough and we’ll have to play at our best.”
Amid the anxiety, Chambeyron yesterday steadfastly refused to give the Thunder a clear path to victory on Sunday.
“Absolutely (beatable),” he said.
“And that is no disrespect to them (Albury).
“We will have to perform on the day.”
Currently in hospital after surgery, Chambeyron will miss training this week, but has no intention of skipping Sunday’s clash of the titans.
With the exception of Pee Wee Moke, who has been stood down, the Dragons will have a full roster for Sunday.
Chambeyron admits, however, he may tinker with the team.
“There might be a few small positional changes,” he said.
“Jeremy Smith will be starting hooker. He played there for 60 minutes on Sunday.
Smith arrived at Temora as a hooker, but played five-eighth in the first round.
After losses in 2011 (19-6) and 2012 (58-8), Temora will be out to beat Albury for the first time in three years.