For the Cowra Eagles, there are positives to come from Dubbo Rhinos’ forfeits last weekend.
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Although he started by saying he’d have much preferred to play, Eagles coach Troy Hayes said it didn’t just give his side a bonus point win by default – shifting them up the equal sixth with Orange City – it provided a chance for a much-needed rest too.
“Things worked out despite not playing,” Hayes said.
“It didn’t give us a run but it also freshens us up, and there’s no byes in this second round it’s just been week after week.”
But with a number of mid-season inclusions to the nest, the forfeit robbed Hayes’ side a chance of working on newly formed combinations.
“We want to work on a few combinations though, and that game probably would have given us a chance to do that.
“But it is what it is.”
The Eagles face cellar-dwellers Mudgee Wombats this week on the road, while City hosts Forbes and Parkes are away to Bathurst Bulldogs – Forbes and Bulldogs are top four sides.
“It’s a big opportunity for us this week. Parkes and City are playing top four sides which is a bonus,” Hayes said.
“We just have to make sure we give ourselves every chance and capitalise.”
Mudgee is coming off a 55-13 loss on Saturday against Forbes.
Cowra hosted the Wombats back in round four and a second-half comeback piloted them to a 30-17 win.
“The result was expected but I heard some good comments about Mudgee which is good for club rugby,” Hayes said of Saturday’s match.
“I think they’ll be a lot tougher at home than they are away. It’ll be another challenge for us.”
Cowra finishes the season with games against Forbes, CSU and Dubbo Roos.