ALBURY Thunder coach Josh Cale is confident a lack of trial matches won’t hinder his team’s chances in its Group 9 rugby league season- opener against Gundagai at Greenfield Park this month.
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The reigning premier thrashed a second-rate Leeton in its final hit-out last weekend and will be forced to schedule some extra training sessions over the next fortnight to maintain its players’ fitness.
“We have tried to get another trial or two, but it hasn’t worked out,” Cale said.
“It’s not ideal.
“We faced a similar thing heading into last year’s finals and just worked that bit harder on the track with some extra Saturday training and we managed OK.”
Albury hasn’t put a foot wrong over the pre-season with the all-conquering line-up collecting $8500 for winning the lucrative West Wyalong Knockout last month.
It defeated Leeton, Orange CYMS and Southcity on the way to glory.
Many of Albury’s key players also played in the Rapidfire 10s rugby challenge at the Albury Sportsground back in February.
Cale said the team couldn’t wait to launch its campaign against Gundagai on April 26.
“It’s been a long pre-season and the boys just want to get into it,” Cale said.
“I think we are in pretty good shape.
“Willie Heta hurt his shoulder a bit last weekend but, otherwise, we are looking good on the injury front.”