You’d think Orange Hawks would be stinging after surrendering just their second game of the 2018 Group 10 season, never mind the fact it was against derby rivals CYMS.
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Think again.
Two blues fullback Jake Blimka says a composed Hawks will line-up against Oberon at Wade Park on Sunday confident of a win, as they’ve been every week this winter.
There’s no desperation, no panic stations, nothing.
“Like we’ve done all season, we’ve gone week-by-week, so this is just another game for us,” Blimka said ahead of the Tigers clash.
“Every Sunday you want to get a win, so that’s what the goal is for us.”
The livewire custodian says a stripped-back approach with the ball should help Hawks progress up field better than they did against the premiers in the 38-10 loss last week.
“I think we turned over a lot of ball. When we hold it we’re dominant but we just didn’t do it against CYMS,” the young-gun said.
Willie Heta hasn’t named Saul Houma for the Oberon clash, but the two blues do welcome back Tatafu Na’aniumotu from suspension.
The switch-a-roo in the Hawks pack won’t impact the two blues performance either, not according to Blimka.
In fact, he says his side’s pack is geared up for the clash.
Blimka said both back-rower Rakai Tuheke and NSW Country prop Ethan McKellar are primed for big games as the Tigers’ monsters, led by former NRL front-rower Josh Starling, arrive in Orange for the penultimate round of the season.
“I think so. We’ve got two round games left and if we can get back-to-back wins going into semis hopefully, get the week off and look forward to semis,” he said.
Sunday’s footy kicks off with the league tag from 10.30am.