SOUTHERN INLAND RUGBY UNION
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NEW Griffith Blacks coach Seru Rogo is looking to put an end to his side's finals curse.
The Blacks had one of their most successful recent seasons last year, making the top tier of the SIRU competition, before crashing out in the finals.
The Blacks were winless in the finals series and Rogo is hoping to make amends for a disappointing end to the season.
"We are definitely going to try and improve on where we were last year where we made the top six but never won a game after that," Rogo said.
"This year our main aim is to get back up there and win a couple of (finals) games."
The nucleus of last year's squad remains the same with only props Michael Vitucci and Junior Ashby confirming they won't be at the club, with scrumhalf Aaron Lawrence yet to make an appearance at pre-season training.
There was initial talk of the club looking to attract a major signing in the front row, but instead are looking to promote from within the club's existing playing ranks.
"We realised we have got to give the ones that have been with us for the last couple of years a good off-season as they are good players and chasing new players wouldn't be fair on them," Rogo said.
"There are some news players that have turned up to training that are keen to have a run with us and they are really good players."
Five-eighth Vara Mateo has returned to the club from Griffith Waratahs, the Blacks have attracted halfback Simon Vaka from Fiji and New Zealanders Junior Cook and Paulo Vae have both come to the club since moving to Griffith.
The Blacks are entered in the Rugby 10s tournament which will be a curtain raiser for the Super 15 trial between NSW Waratahs and Melbourne Rebels at Albury on Saturday.
"We had a 10s hit-out at training (on Tuesday) just to get the guys into the rhythm and it will suit the boys," Rogo said.
"We are really looking forward to Saturday as another part of our off-season training.
"We really want to have a good off-season."