The premiers have been forced to do it the hard way after letting a half-time lead slip against Waratahs in the major semi-final on Saturday.

However Ivy Merhelan, Vanessa Harris and Natalie Roe all come back into the side to face Griffith at Exies Oval in the preliminary final.

Taking on the Blacks on their home turf will be a challenge, but coach Andy Bedford is confident they can rise to it and keep their title defence alive on Saturday.

"We can definitely bounce back," Bedford said.

"It's not going to be easy but I know the girls have got it in them."

CSU took a 19-10 lead against Waratahs but ran out of steam with limited interchange options as their Wagga rivals scored 22 unanswered points to win through to their first grand final.

Bedford thought Waratahs upped their intensity in the second half and combined their ability to bring in fresh legs really hurt the minor premiers.

However the reinforcements, and the quality of them, will be a big boost.

CSU and Griffith have a healthy rivalry.

They faced off in last year's grand final, and have played each other three times this season.

Reddies lead the count 2-1 this season, but there has been some blowout scorelines.

CSU scored a 69-10 win over Griffith in round two before Griffith responded with a 42-17 win in round eight.

Reddies won the latest clash 34-19 last month

All three victories have been away from home.

Griffith will also take plenty of confidence into the clash after their 54-0 win over Tumut in the minor semi-final.

Bedford expects the Blacks will come out firing.

"We know we are up against it," he said.

"Last time Ua (Ravu) and Amelia (Lolotonga) were both out so them at full strength is a big task, especially at home.

"We didn't want to be in this positions but we're going to have to dig deep."

Griffith have a bigger forward pack and Bedford is looking to find the right balance to stop their go forward without over committing at the breakdown and enabling their speedy back line room to move.

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