Wagga City forced to change as finals pressure builds

Playmakers Jayden Stanton and Eddie Lagaali will both miss the clash at Conolly Rugby Complex through work commitments, Travis Taylor is also away while Gordon Lagaali is still suspended.

It means Hamish Wrafter returns to the number 10 jersey while Trevor William and Nathan Smith shift into the centres.

All have had plenty of first grade experience this season, but coach James Curgenven is worried about a lack of continuity.

"We haven't all played together as a team so it is going to be something different," Curgenven said.

Wagga City have won once in their last five games but remain in third place on the compressed ladder.

They are three points ahead of the fourth-placed Blacks but only seven points clear of seventh-placed Leeton.

The Phantoms travel to sixth-placed Albury while fifth-placed Tumut are at home to winless CSU and the weekend's results could have a big ladder implications.

Curgenven is looking to turn things around before the side starts to run out of time to secure a return to finals.

"We've struggled the last couple of weeks against two strong sides in Waratahs and Tumut but the performances haven't been great for us either," he said. "We've got a lot to work on."

Curgenven believes the key is getting back to an expansive style that worked so well to start the season.

Particularly against a Blacks outfit who have won their last three games

"We've got to make sure we play the game we talk about," Curgenven said.

"We've been focusing on a different style of play all year but have been getting caught in the opposition's game.

"We tried to beat Tumut up the middle, which is just never going to happen, and we've got Griffith this week and they're big fellas as well so we are hoping our fitness is going to be better than theirs so we want to play a bit expansive.

"The only problem is we've got a lot of guys out."

Curgenven is also looking to get off to a better start, something that has plagued the club throughout most of their games this season.

Griffith have also made a couple of changes after a tight win over Leeton.

Dan McGreal is unavailable due to work commitments with fullback Epeli Deama also out.

Blacks coach Craig Morriss believes it is another test.

"Basically, the next four to five weeks will decide our fate," Morriss said.

"We know we can't get too far ahead of ourselves.

"We will be working on the basics and making sure we are doing the one percenters because our performance in that area will be crucial."

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