ALBURY five-eighth Blake Le Cornu stepped into the big shoes left by Richard Manion with ease as he controlled the Steamers’ attack in their 23-7 win over Wagga City at Conolly Rugby Complex on Friday night.
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Le Cornu was electrifying in the first half as the Steamers flew out of the gates to set up a 15-0 lead at half time.
He hand a big in the their first two tries, slicing through the defensive line to set up James Olds for the opener, and looked dangerous with every touch of ball.
The Steamers were missing three senior players, including arguably the competition’s best in Manion, as well as coach Mick Raynes, but it made little difference as their stellar start to the season continued.
Albury has enjoyed comfortable wins in its first three games in 2015 and acting coach Nathan Bright was given an easy initiation into life in charge on the sidelines.
Nervous coming into the game, the Steamers’ fast start quickly put his mind at ease.
“We started off really strong and the guys were really hot on the ball and showed a lot of pace,” Bright said.
“The back three (Olds, Sam Allen and Nick Barbara) in the first ten minutes really stood up and cut right through them which was impressive.
“We sent a message early that even though we were short a few guys we were here to play and I was proud of that.”
Wagga City offered more in the second half, but after Dave Coyle slipped down the sideline to score shortly after the break the 20-point deficit was also going to be too much.
Le Cornu slotted a penalty to extend the Steamers lead further before John Sutcliffe put the Boiled Lollies on the board with a 60-metre solo effort from a kick return.
Bright described Le Cornu’s game as faultless as he took on the five-eighth’s role as well as the vice captaincy.
“He stepped into some pretty big boots of Richard Manion’s and did really well.”
The lineouts were one area the Steamers dominated and it was strength that came as a surprise to Bright.
He and Tom Rowan retired after last year’s grand final, meaning two new jumpers have been brought in.
“The lineouts surprise us as it’s a very different lineout to what we’ve had in the last three years, but it seems to be performing really well,” Bright said.
“We’ve got two out of three new jumpers and a stack of new lifters and the guys are going really well.
“The guys have been working really hard on them this week.”
Albury picked up some injury concerns with Olds injuring his hip in the first half but did go back on, Reece Le Cornu injured his hamstring and Scott Ison hurt his knee.