Paul Hood's time as CSU coach couldn't have got off to much worse of a start, but the Reddies legend is looking to put a horror season opener behind the club.
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CSU were thrashed 98-0 by arch rivals Ag College last week and now face a long trip to tackle Griffith on Saturday.
Hood doesn't want to look back on another sorry day for the club, instead he's hoping improving numbers can deliver a much improved result against a Blacks outfit also looking to open their account in 2019.
"Our numbers aren't great but we will move on and we haven't really discussed the Aggies game," Hood said.
"We put that in the past and have moved forward to concentrate on Griffith."
CSU have brought in two Englishman to help try to stimulate numbers and performances.
Oliver Telfer and Jacob Holt both arrived last week and were soon thrown right into the mix for their first taste of Southern Inland.
Hood expects both will put in stronger performances at Exies Oval.
"Oliver and Jacob were probably a bit jet lagged last week," Hood said.
"They got here last Wednesday and were a bit underdone but should be right this week."
CSU has been plagued by poor playing numbers throughout the pre-season.
They elected not to enter a third grade side this season, cutting the competition to just seven teams, including Hay and Deniliquin.
Hood said the club is working on adding another foreign addition to the side.
Brad Crawford also comes into the front row to take on the Blacks.
He'll add plenty of size up front but won't be a regular there this season.
"He can't play every weekend but he will put his hand up whenever he can," Hood said.
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The Reddies coach is looking for a better defensive effort and patterns if they are going to hold the Blacks at bay.
It was the real issue up against a rampant Ag College.
"We need to make sure we get our standards right in that and try to stick to those standards," Hood said.
"We let ourselves down at the tackle on the weekend so we really need to put a big focus on defence.
"It was one of the big focuses we wanted to have at the start of the year but so far it hasn't really showed any improvements."
Discipline was another issue to start the season with three yellow cards not helping their cause.
Hood thought the team were frustrated by the score.
Reddies have the biggest trip during 'country round' with all four Wagga sides on the road.
Ag College heads to Leeton, Waratahs are in Albury while Wagga City tackle Tumut.
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