KANGAROOS’ captain-coach Ben Jeffery is refusing to let a torn calf dent his belief in the Wagga team’s chances of making the Group Nine finals.
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Jeffery was hurt when Kangaroos outlasted Junee 28-26 at Laurie Daley Oval last Sunday and is resigned to missing a “week or two” of football.
“I’ve never done one (calf muscle) before,” Jeffery said on Tuesday.
“I’m really not sure how it will go.
“I’ll get it checked and hopefully I’ll only be out for a week or two.”
With Kangaroos heading into a critical game against Tumbarumba at Equex Centre on Saturday, Jeffery recognises the timing of his injury could not be any worse.
“These are the games we have to win to make the finals,” Jeffery said.
“You don’t really want to have to beat the Southcitys and Gundis to get there.”
Despite Kangaroos 1-2 start to the premiership, Jeffery is buoyant about the prospect of the team pushing into the top five.
“We just have to consolidate our position,” he said.
“The fact that teams like Brothers and Temora have been losing has helped us.”
After three rounds, Roos are seventh on the ladder with two points behind joint leaders Tumut, Gundagai and Albury, all on six points.
With only a draw with Cootamundra from three games, Tumbarumba is below Kangaroos on the table, a situation Jeffery wants to maintain.
“I know what we can do when we play well,” he said.
“Even though we were beaten by Southcity and Gundagai, I thought we showed we can play.
“After all we beat Gundagai 10-6 in the second half.”
Pointedly, Jeffery took heart from Kangaroos dramatic two-point victory over Junee.
“It will be build confidence,” he said.
Kangaroos bolted to a 28-6 lead but were almost swamped by the Diesels.
Significantly, Jeffery has shifted young gun Troy Barby from lock to five-eighth on Saturday, with teenager John Downes replacing Barby in the pack.
Likewise, rugby union convert Dylan McLachlan takes over from Jeffery at halfback, but prop Jack Kelly remains sidelined with a shoulder problem.
On the plus side, second rower Hayden Jolliffe is rated a “fair chance” of playing after missing the Junee game.
Jeffery believes McLachlan will fill his shoes with distinction.
“He’s only just turned 19 and is improving with each game,” Jeffery said.
