The Diesels took advantage of a controversial penalty reversal to set up a 20-12 victory at Laurie Daley Oval on Saturday.

After two sets on camped on Junee's line referee Ben Whitby initially awarded Kangaroos another penalty before debutant Ned Cooper was then penalised after being tackled two metres short.

Off that Junee marched down the field as Simon Wilson crashed over to get back in front.

Jeffery then capitalised on some loose handling from Kangaroos to seal the win with 11 minutes remaining.

There was little between the two sides all day but Junee captain-coach Trent Schubach thought his side stacked full of new talent handled the slippery conditions better.

"It was pretty tough in the conditions but I think we just played wet-weather footy a bit better than what they did," Schubach said.

"We ran harder and tackled a bit harder.

"We dropped a fair bit of footy and our attack wasn't there but I can't fault the effort.

"We had good line speed, good first up contact and were getting them over the advantage line."

Schubach thought their forward pack's dominance was key to scoring the win.

Junee got off to the perfect start when Jarom Vakarewakobau scored after three minutes only for Kangaroos to respond 10 minutes later as Waisale Ratudina crossed in his first game for Kangaroos.

Junee took a 8-6 lead into half-time after Dakota Ruta scored after 22 minutes as both sides struggled to hold the ball.

It continued early in the second half as Nick Baker, on the back of some good field position, put Kangaroos back in front two minutes into the second half.

The Wagga side were deep on the attack and turned down a penalty goal opportunity as they looked to extend their lead before Cooper was penalised in possession.

Kangaroos captain-coach Hayden Ashcroft thought it changed the momentum of the clash.

"Wet weather footy is always scrappy but it is built on momentum and there were a few decisions that really hurt us at crucial times," Ashcroft said.

"Junee played well and are a bigger pack than what we are."

However Schubach was more than happy to take the call and the two points.

After two losses to start the season, he knows it is a crucial victory at the midway point in the shortened season.

"It was nearly a must-win for us and gets our season kick started," Schubach said.

"We are getting a little bit better in patches but still have a lot to work on but we have plenty of quality footy players there to go a long way."

With a clash against Southcity on Saturday to come, Schubach is looking for their attack to come together better.

"Our attack is still nowhere near where we need it to be to be a finals side," he said.

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