The reigning premiers led 22-10 against Gundagai last week before the opposition piled on 22 unanswered points in the second half, including three tries in six minutes.

In the end the Thunder was also on the wrong end of an 11-4 penalty count.

Coach Ben Jeffery said back-to-back penalties had played the Tigers into the game.

“It will be the focus this week — cut out the penalties and complete our sets of six tackles,” he said.

“Our attitude needs to improve from last week, we just gave away too many penalties and didn’t respect the football.

“If we can get an even share of the football we will beat most teams.”

The Blues will return to Twickenham off the back off their first win in 18 games last week.

Captain coach and halfback Arana Taumata and centre Ethan McGuire were both named in the Group 9 team of the week after the 30-18 win over Wagga Kangaroos.

But they will face a Thunder team that will now include Andrew Cowhan, who has recovered from the shoulder injury that put him out the Gundagai game.

The big frontrower was this week named for the first time in the Group 9 rep squad that will play the curtain-raiser to the City vs Country clash in Wagga tomorrow week.

The Greenfield Park club is also hopeful of an 11th hour clearance for his brother David, who has been playing in the Penrith under-20s.

Off-season recruit Levi Freeman is again not in the squad.

“Tumut are always hard to beat at home,” Jeffery said.

“We need to play as a team, there is no real emphasis on using the forwards or the backs.

“It is only the third round and we are heading in the right direction but it is only early in the year and you expect that things are still coming together.

“Andrew is a definite starter on Sunday and we are waiting to hear whether his brother gets a clearance — the signs are positive.”