It's not every day you come across a clash like this.
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Canowindra Tigers and Manildra Rhinos are amid preparations for what's easily the biggest Woodbridge Cup clash of the season so far as the title contenders will lock horns at Tom Clyburn Oval on Sunday.
Kev Grimshaw's squad sits atop the table after 16 rounds and will all-but lock up the minor premiership with a win over the Red V, but that's easier said than done.
The Rhinos are running hot in recent times and are the only side to take a point off the ladder-leaders, a round eight 32-all draw shaping as Canowindra's biggest test so far.
The Tigers are set to enjoy a home-field advantage this time around, and leading prop Nathan Whatman knows the stakes are sky high.
"Everyone's keen for it, this is the biggest game of the year," he said.
"Training's been really good and everyone's been getting there. We've had a few blokes doing some extras this week."
Whatman revisited the last time these two heavyweights squared off, predictably labelling captain-coach Luke Petrie as Rhinos' biggest threat.
"Last time we played them it was 32-16 with eight minutes to go and he put on three tries," he said.
"He's got a good kicking game so our fullback and wingers will need to be on their game. We need to be able to shut him down."
Much has been made of the absent Sydney stars that started the year with the Tigers, but have since been forced into lockdown.
Whatman was happy to announce the return of strike player Jonico Hardwick, as well as club debutant Marty Ferguson, the latter reigniting his rugby league career after a stint with the Titans' SG Ball program.
"The bench is a bit light on, but this is the best start 13 we've had all season," he said.
Manildra maestro Luke Petrie didn't give too much away during a conversation with the Central Western Daily, but assures Cup fans his squad will be ready to rock 'n' roll.
"We're all pretty excited and it's going to be good to get another crack at them," he said.
"This will be a good gauge to see where we're at. They're definitely a quality team but I believe we could have beaten them last time."
Tigers possess threats from sideline to sideline, but Petrie pointed out their forward pack as a group to keep an eye on.
"They get a good roll on through the middle and seem to just run through teams," he said.
"They've also got spark out wide and finish tries from anywhere."
Discipline has been somewhat of an issue for Manildra in recent weeks, and Petrie knows his troops can't afford to be rusty against a unit like this.
"We've got to do all the little things right, and we can't be slow out of the blocks," he said.
Kick-off is Sunday 2pm.
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