The Blues will be without key forwards Zac Masters and Ron Leapai for their clash with Albury at Laurie Daley Oval on Sunday.

The pair, alongside Southcity centre Cody Hodge and Gundagai fullback Dane O'Hehir, are part of the Country side.

Tigers hooker James Luff was also set to be at Collegians before injuring his ankle.

Masters has been on two Country tours when the representative program was capped at an under 23 level.

However he's looking forward to the bigger challenge up against City on Sunday.

"It's pretty exciting for both me and Ronny as it's pretty cool to have this open age Country form of football back again," Masters said.

"There is a lot of good country footballers playing first grade and even the older blokes should be playing representative footy.

"To be part of that should be an awesome experience."

The Blues co-coach played alongside Leapai as part of the 2018 Country tour to Papua New Guinea.

They've linked back together this season and after joining the club from Woden, Leapai is enjoying his initiation into Group Nine.

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"It's one of the best clubs I've been at, they're all pretty welcoming and I just love being around the town with how they get around the footy and the boys," Leapai said.

"It feels like a good year so hopefully we can get something good out of it."

Albury will be out to back up a shock win over Gundagai against the understrength Blues, however both have backed the club's depth to step up.

Matt Byatt and Cameron Dowling are expected to be given their chance in the starting line up.

"It's a good opportunity for our boys to have a crack and play some more minutes as well," Masters said.

"It is hard as myself and Ronny play fairly big minutes in the forwards so we've had a few forwards on the bench who would probably be in starting sides in other teams around the comp.

"It is a good opportunity to prove themselves as well and get some experience."

Masters was impressed by Matt Byatt's impact off the bench as he scored a crucial try in their last win over Young.

"He'll get to play some bigger minutes and Cam Dowling as well," he said.

"Those boys have been playing some great footy off the bench and I know they have been champing at the bit to get out there and it could possibly mean we get some young boys to step up and make their debut."

Temora product Matt Stimson is part of the City outfit.

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