Kelly Cup
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BRAGGING rights and places in the Riverina team goes on the line when traditional rivals Group Nine and Group 20 face off for the Kelly Cup at Equex tomorrow.
Group Nine came away with one of the biggest Kelly Cup wins last season and coach Daniel Fitzhenry is looking to repeat the dose at home.
After coming together for two training sessions since the team was announced on May 4, Fitzhenry has his team rearing to go.
"I'm expecting a tough game, the boys have had the two training sessions so they are as ready as we can be," Fitzhenry said.
"It's hard to know who they've got and what clubs have bought so we are just worrying about our own game and hopefully it falls into place for us."
Group 20 coach Rohan Loudon has redemption in his sights following the 50-10 canning handed out by Group Nine in Griffith last year.
"Last year Group Nine flogged Group 20 so we are trying to pull back a bit of respectability," Loudon said.
"It should be a good game, it always is generally, and hopefully this year will be no different.
"They've got a strong side so we will have to be on their game."
Loudon has selected a more mobile forward pack, looking to adapt to the faster game style in Group Nine.
A greater emphasis on slowing down the play the ball in Group 20 club football is one the key differences between the two Riverina competitions.
With that in mind Loudon is looking for the side to alter their style if they are going to repeat their last visit to Wagga when they ran out 28-20 victors.
"We've got a pretty good squad with an idea to be big and mobile as that's what Group Nine will be," Loudon said.
"We need to stick with for the first 10 or 15 minutes as they will come out pretty quick as the speed of the game is probably quicker than Group 20.
"If we can get used to that we will be chance."
It's not just the battle on the field that makes the annual game such a mouthwatering clash but the rivalry between the two groups off the field.
"There is a big rivalry and I guess you could call it a local derby," Fitzhenry said.
"(The rivalry) is probably more between the officials than the players as the officials probably take more out of it than the players do."
A Riverina team will be selected from the clash while the winning coach gets the honour of coaching the team in the Country Championships.