The Young front rower has lost over 30 kilograms and his transformation has been one of the real positives in their slow start to the season.

However he has a big job on his hands up against Tumut at Twickenham on Sunday.

The Blues have only lost once this season and boast one of the biggest packs in the competition.

After the Cherrypickers failed to contain Southcity last week, Lealaitafea expects another big test.

"They're rated one of the best packs and I think it is an awesome challenge to try and stand up and be our best," Lealaitafea said.

"It is going to be a hard game in Tumut.

"If we can get a good start together then we will be fine

"I feel we only lift when we know we are under the pump, but if we can just play 80 minutes and complete sets then we will be fine."

Last year was one to forget for the Cherrpickers, who went from finalists to narrowly avoiding the wooden spoon.

But with Roy Jewitt coming on board as coach, the 26-year-old set his sights on changing his ways.

"I wanted to be the best I could be for my team," he said. "I felt if everyone just worked on their own game then our squad would just go forward rather than relying on other players.

"That started with me."

The change has seen him move into the starting side in a Young pack featuring Aaron Slater and Kyle Richens.

Richens drops to the bench to take on Tumut, but getting more minutes was never the plan.

"The goal was never to get a starting spot, I just wanted to be the best I could be," he said.

"They've been some of the best front rowers in the comp but it is good trying to get better."

He went from playing at 146kgs last year to 113kgs in the pre-season but has put a few kilos back on after feeling he was a little too light in one of the Cherrypickers' warm-up games.

"We played a charity game and I played at 113 and my body was so sore after so I thought I had better put a little bit back on," Lealaitafea said.

"It is up and down but the fitness is still alright."

Jewitt has been impressed with the turnaround and the impact he's had for the side.

"He's playing some good footy, we're getting good minutes out of him and the minutes he's on there are quality," Jewitt said.

"He still hasn't lost that impact and he's certainly damaging when he runs."

Jewitt is looking for his side to find a way to grind out victories.

They've been close to grand finalists Gundagai and Southcity late in games, as well as Junee, but haven't found that killer blow.

The Englishman is looking to build on the 42-30 loss to the Bulls against Tumut.

"That was probably our best performance of the season but we've just go to try to do that for 80 minutes," Jewitt said.

"We held the ball a lot more than what we have been, our discipline was better and our middles were fantastic in the middle with Aaron Slater and Saul."

Will Dunn has also been called upon to make his debut on the wing with James Schiller away.

READ MORE