Leeton No.1 Oval was far from a happy hunting ground for Waratahs last season, but the undefeated ladder leaders are out to correct the ledger on Saturday.
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The Wagga club lost there three times last season, including a 30-29 loss in the grand final.
Leeton have also got the closest to them this season, but did trail 40-7 at half-time before falling 54-33.
Coach Richard Skellern expects it will be a tough road trip.
“I think they are going to be a good side and it is hard to roll them out there but we will give it a crack and it is going to be a good game,” Skellern said.
However Skellern said there has been no focus on last year’s results.
He wasn’t at the helm then and is more focused on looking at what is to come.
“We don’t really talk about last year at all,” Skellern said.
“We haven’t once and have put that in the past.
“It is all about this year and we try not to dwell on last year.”
Waratahs will be buoyed by the return of Dan Selmes.
The 29-year-old missed the last two weeks with a hamstring but is confident he’s right to go for the big clash.
“I was pretty lucky and tried to treat it as professionally as possible,” Selmes said.
“You never know with a hamstring, I’ve done one before and you can be out for four weeks, but I was really lucky it was only the two weeks.
“I felt ok last week and could have played but given the fact the team wasn’t strong in CSU they gave me another week off in preparation for Leeton.”
After almost letting a big lead slip against the Phantoms last time out, Selmes is looking for a more consistent performance from the side as they look to maintain their perfect record.
“We were pretty disappointed at the end of that game in how we let them back into the game after being up by 40 points at half-time,” he said.
“We addressed those issues straight away and particularly towards this week we’ve been conscious of the fact we know how they play and how we can limit their strike power.”
Selmes comes back into the side on the wing but has also played fullback and halfback this season.
While most of his football has been in the number 15 jumper, he’s happy with whatever role is given to him.
“I’ve played most of my rugby at fullback but as a winger in this team there is pretty much three fullbacks with the time we see the football anyway,” he said.
“It is very much that we all have the same role as the back three and get involved as much as possible.”
Selmes is no stranger to success at the club, winning premierships in 2008, 2010 and 2011, and was part of the losing grand final team last year.
However he was hesitant to label just how the current team compares to those of the past.
“The team is really strong but how we rate against different teams you never like to compare,” Selmes said.
“But I would say across the board it is really, really strong and I think the benefit we have is some many players can play different positions.
“It is a very versatile back line and given the club has so much depth everyone is really pushing for positions.”
Selmes’ return isn’t the only change for Waratahs back line.
Matt Shortis also comes back at outside centre for the clash with James Grimmett pushing out on the wing.
Corey Toole, Austin Wallace and Euan Bonner are all unavailable for the clash.
Meanwhile Leeton are preparing for a big day and will wear special pink jumpers for their ladies day.
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