Tuinauvai to return to football with Tumut Blues after he serves long ban for striking

Tuinauvai was given a 28-week ban, reduced to 21 for an early guilty plea and later slashed to ten on appeal, for a serious grade striking charge after hitting a Temora opponent playing for Kangaroos in July, 2019.

He still has six weeks of his ban to serve, but the 31-year-old will add some more class to the Blues' backline in his third stint at the club.

"I think he's learned his lesson. I think it was out of character for him and I know he was pretty remorseful about it all," Master said.

"I know he's keen for a big year this year, and hopefully we'll get him out there sooner rather than later.

"He definitely adds a bit of skill and ability, that's for sure. He'll be handy once we get him on the paddock.

"Touch wood we don't have too many injuries early, but if we do he'll be handy to have around round seven."

The Blues begin their campaign with a blockbuster against traditional rivals Gundagai at Twickenham on Saturday.

The clash will mark the return of the Maher Cup, 100 years since it was first introduced and 50 years since the last game was played.

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Masters hopes the 'Old Boys' in attendance for a reunion will be an advantage as they look to reverse the result of last year's grand final.

"It gives us some extra motivation, not that we need it against Gundagai," he said.

"It brings the history between the two clubs together again, it's a long-running rivalry and it's both club's 100^th year. It can only help us with the old fellas there, hopefully we do them proud as well."

Prop Masters said the new rule where it will be a handover of possession to the opposition when a ball is kicked into touch in general play will test the fitness of teams early.

"I think it will bring the fatigue factor into it, especially around the middle with the big boys knocking up," he said.

"You don't get that 40 seconds to a minute rest and it'll make the game a bit more entertaining probably. But it's going to be hard because we're not professionals, we're only part time, and it'll test the lungs out that's for sure."

Saturday (all games 2:35pm): Tumut v Gundagai at Twickenham, Brothers v Kangaroos at Equex Centre. Byes: Temora and Southcity.

Sunday: Albury v Young at Greenfield Park

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