IT TOOK a move to Wagga for skilful halfback Sam Hobbs to qualify for his first senior grand final.

And now he has made one, he plans to make the most of the experience.

Hobbs, 24, grew up in Cootamundra and spent four years at school in Orange before moving to Sydney to play rugby and work.

He decided to try his luck in Wagga when good mate Manning Doughty invited him to join the Waratahs.

In just his second season at the club Hobbs is preparing to step out for his first grand final this weekend.

“This is my first grand final ever, so I’m pretty stoked,” Hobbs said yesterday.

“All the boys are a bit nervous, but happy at the same time.

“No one thought we would get this far so we are all pretty excited.”

Hobbs has slotted into the Tahs’ line-up with ease since making the move from the big smoke.

By his own admission he has had an “up and down” 2013 season, as injury has taken its toll on the smart playmaker.

Hobbs injured his groin before the Southern Inland Rugby Union split and spent more than a month on the sideline.

He eventually made his return through reserve grade and managed to push back into the team just in time for finals.

“When I first came back from the injury I had to work my way back into the side,” Hobbs said. “It took me a while to get back into the swing of things but I’ve been playing some decent footy lately, which is good.”

Hobbs is under no illusion Saturday’s decider against Albury will be easy.

But he believes the Waratahs’ knowledge of the opposition will stand them in good stead.

“We’ve got a video of when Albury played CSU and we will go through that and pick out their weaknesses,” he said.

“They are a very strong team, but everyone knows anything can happen in finals.”