Gundagai recruit Ryan McQueen called into Riverina side

McQueen is set to link with Gundagai this season and has been called into the side by Tigers co-coach, and Riverina coach, Luke Berkrey.

Berkrey is hoping McQueen's experience can help cover the loss of injured captain James Smart and three-try hero Daniel Foley.

"He's played a lot of rep football in the past and adds a lot of versatility," Berkrey said.

"We're carrying an extra big man on the bench because he can cover so many positions. He's coming from a year off so he will appreciate a good, tough game."

READ MORE

Riverina are on the road again on Sunday as they prepare to take on Illawarra-South Coast at Figtree Oval.

The majority of the side will be made up of Group Seven players, however Berkrey still expects a tough test from one of the perennial heavyweights.

"I've seen their side and it's a very strong side," he said.

"There is not one Illawarra player in it, it is all from Group Seven but there are some really, really good players in that Group Seven comp and they will be tough to beat."

Smart is unsure of how long he will be sidelined after suffering a shoulder injury while attempting to score in the first five minutes last week.

X-rays have confirmed a fractured humerus but the full extent of the dual Weissel Medal's injury won't be determined until further scans this weekend.

Smart is shattered to miss the rest of the campaign.

"I don't want to predict what will happen but I'm just hopeful they don't say surgery," Smart said.

"The most frustrating thing is I was so excited about playing in that team.

"We haven't done a heap of training, but the work we have done together, all the boys get along really well and it is just a good team to be a part of.

"That's what is hurting the most is missing out on playing footy with those guys."

With Foley also unavailable, McQueen comes into the centres with Dane O'Hehir at fullback.

The move sees Cody Hodge push out to the wing.

Tom Sellars is set to return to the side after being a late withdrawal.

He will be part of a big Riverina bench, with Berkrey selecting four interchange forwards.

Coming off a thrilling win over Macquarie Wests Tigers last week, Berkrey is looking for better ball control and discipline from the side.

A number of play-the-ball infringements were penalised last week

"We turned over a lot of ball and gave away a lot of penalties," Berkrey said.

"We were pretty ill-disciplined throughout the whole match so if we can tidy up that whole area I think it will hold us in good stead for the game as the boys' effort was outstanding. It was just their execution that was poor."

1 Dane O'Hehir, 2 Cody Hodge, 3 Ryan McQeen, 4 Tolo Aroha Tuinauvai, 5 James Olds, 6 Kyle McCarthy, 7 Derek Hay, 8 Zac Masters, 9 James Luff, 10 Jed Pearce, 11 Ron Leapai, 12 Royce Tout, 13 Jake Goodwin, 14 Hayden Philp, 15 James Hay, 16 Tom Sellars, 18 Jayke Hogan

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: