With the addition of halves Shannon Rupapere and Jay Little and a stronger pre-season, Cowhan believes the Border side can make amends for missing last year’s finals.

Thunder will launch their season against wooden-spoon favourite Cootamundra at Les Boyd Oval on Sunday.

“We have had a lot better pre-season this year,” Cowhan said.

“Jay Little and Shannon should work together well in the halves and ‘Smithy’ (Andrew Smith) will go back to his best position at hooker as well.

“We had a lot of injuries at the start of last year which set us back a bit so if we can stay clear of them we should be OK.”

Thunder has beaten Orange CYMS, Kangaroos and Leeton in trial matches and lost to Gundagai and Griffith.

As well Little and Rupapere, Hay second-rower Jye Thompson will play at Greenfield Park and Jon Huggett has returned from work commitments.

Levi Freeman remains in limbo after being de-registered by Country Rugby League.

Although Cootamundra has been left decimated by the loss of key personnel, Cowhan remains wary of Simon Vanzanten’s side.

“Coota were looking pretty shaky early but I haven’t heard much about them lately,” he said.

“They are always tough at home.

“We’ll expect that again.”

In other matches, Tumbarumba take on Young.

The Cherrypickers will unveil Pene Webber who has arrived at the club from New Zealand.

Webber comes with a huge reputation after being described as one of the best backs in the Tasman Rugby League competition.

Junee should defeat Brothers, Gundagai will start favourites against Temora and Southcity should bring down Tumut.

The teams are:

Albury: 1 Ben Jeffery (c), 2 Lachie Hampton, 3 Chris Seaton, 4 Mitch Seaton, 5 Alex Jones, 6 Jay Little, 7 Shannon Rupapere, 8 Andrew Cowhan, 9 Andrew Smith, 10 Joe Silafau, 11 Jye Thompson, 12 Jon Huggett, 13 Dave Cowhan. Inter: 14 Jack Watson, 15 Rex Sargeant, 16 Elijah Tipene, 17 Matt Garness.

Cootamundra: 1 Patrick Cameron, 2 Jason Cronin, 3 Ben Warner, 4 Simon Lienesch, 5 Jesoni Taoi, 6 James Smith, 7 Nathan McGowan, 8 Simon Vanzanten (c), 9 Matt Forsyth, 10 Soni Vuadreu, 11 Tom Diggins, 12 Matt Berkrey, 13 Tom Warner. Inter: 14 Daini Tuiqere, 15 Cody Hotston, 16 Luke Levett, 17 Will de Belin, 18 Dan Maher.