Grand final rematch to start Hardy Shield

After coming away with a 22-6 win over Mater Dei Catholic College in last year's final, the two teams will go head-to-head in the first round on Monday.

Kildare only have four starting players from last season out of the side and co-captain Riley Browning is confident of their chances this time around.

"We've got a pretty unchanged side from last year and most of us year 12 boys are going through again," Browning said.

"It is looking pretty good."

Kildare have had some key personnel come out of their spine but with representative players Kye Wright, Will McDermott and Jake Hay coming into the key roles Browning is more than happy with how they are expected to line up.

Browning is looking forward to the all-Catholic grudge match to kick things off and expects Mater Dei to be their biggest danger this year.

"For us it is always Mater," Browning said.

"We always look forward to playing them and their forward pack is looking very strong this year."

Mater Dei captain Wilson Hamblin is also confident they can turn the tide.

Especially with a strong forward pack featuring the likes of Bryce and Todd Magnone, Nathanael Mooney, Marcus Blair and Cooper Rosengren.

"I'm pretty confident we can go pretty good this year," Hamblin said. "We have a good forward pack."

He's looking to avenge the grand final loss to their arch rivals.

"I think we can do it this year," Hamblin said.

"We just have to keep our heads up, keep our focus on the game plan and I think we should go pretty close hopefully."

Their first up clash at Paramore Park is expecting to be telling as to how the teams shapes up.

Wagga High School won't be in Pool A action until their double header next week but also take a new-look side into the competition.

Captain Ben Cronin believes it is a case of wait and see for the side.

"It is a fresh side and we won't really know until we get out there a play a game," Cronin said.

Cronin rated Kooringal High School as one to watch in Pool B.

"They have been a bit quiet in recent years but they have been improving," he said.

Hamblin echoed those sentiments.

"Kildare have always been strong but I think Kooringal have a pretty handy side," he said.

"They have a heap of rugby league players and a good coach in Damien Fraser and I think they will be a dark horse as well."

Kooringal kick off the competition up against Mount Austin High School at 4.30pm with the grand final rematch to follow at 5.30pm.

The Riverina Anglican College aren't in action until next Monday when they face Kooringal High while Wagga High also have a week to wait ahead of their first clash with Kildare.

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