Tumut may be forced into a handful of changes to take on rivals Gundagai in a mouthwatering clash at Anzac Park on Sunday.
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Still feeling the effects of a bruising encounter of a narrow loss to Southcity before the general bye, coach Jarrad Teka is still unsure who will be right to play.
“We are fairly skinny to be honest,” Teka said.
“We had a heap of injuries from the Southcity game.
“The bye probably came at a good time for us and hopefully the boys are alright.”
Centre Michael Clark, hooker Jacob Toppin, front rower Tom Jeffery and winger Mitch Ivill are all in doubt for the clash between the teams sitting second and fourth on the ladder.
Adding to the playing changes, rugby union convert James Curgenven announced his return to Wagga City following the loss to the Bulls.
The Blues are still without Dan Kilian as the prop continues to deal with a legal situation in Queensland.
Kilian hasn’t played since the round four win over Albury, and his future with the club remains in doubt.
Tumut have only one won since, against struggling Cootamundra.
Kilian fronted Brisbane Supreme Court last week over drug supply and associating with bikies charge with the matter adjourned for another mention next month.
Country Rugby League officials have been made aware of the situation and are monitoring how the situation develops.
After going through the first five rounds undefeated, Tumut haven’t tasted success in their last three games.
They suffered a last minute loss to Young before drawing with Kangaroos and then missed out on a chance to draw with Southcity late.
While still happy with the team’s form, Teka is hoping to deliver a much needed win against their biggest rivals.
However, it won’t come easy against a Gundagai outfit who have only lost once this year.
“It’s a massive game,” he said.
“There’s obviously that rivalry there so it pretty big for us.
“Coming up short in the last couple of weeks against a few of the better sides has given us a fair indication of what we need to improve
“Hopefully we can do that.”
It is the only time the two teams will meet in the regular season.
The fact the two close rivals only play once was a heated topic when the draw was released during.
Tumut were so against the move Group Nine clubs were offered an alternative draw, but it was voted down.
There will be a petition circling at Anzac Park on Sunday asking for Group Nine to have give each team to host a clash next season.