THE Bathurst Bulldogs may have got their season off to a good start with last week’s 31-12 win over Orange Emus, but it will be a very different side that takes on the Parkes Boars tomorrow away from home.
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Bulldogs could be without up to six members of their round one side, with representative commitments, injuries and a wedding forcing coach Murray Hooper to make a host of changes.
Making the contest even harder is the surprise form shown by Parkes in their opening game of the season.
The former pushovers have already proved that this year will be different, completely dominating against 2010 finalists Orange City in a 37-7 win last Saturday.
Despite running out convincing winners over Emus last Saturday, Hooper is well aware of the challenge his side is going to face against a rejuvenated Parkes outfit.
“Parkes were very good in their opening round against Orange City,” Hooper said.
“They are a new look team with a new coach and with Tongan international Hea-mani Lavaka back in the side, we can’t take them lightly at all.”
Bathurst prop Chris Plunkett and halfback Tom Hollis will both miss the game due to NSW Country Cockatoos training, while five eighth Stephen Locke will also be absent.
The loss of both Hollis and Locke will mean a complete reshuffle in the back line, while colts star Junior Langi will make his run on debut for Plunkett at prop.
An injury cloud hanging over centre Ray Lange has further complicated Hooper’s task of naming a starting 15.
“Stephen Locke actually has a wedding to attend this weekend which means I’m without both of my new halves combination,” the mentor said.
“It’s not ideal but we can get around it. Scott Johnson will move into five-eighth and we’ve got Jarred Morrison and Dean Meredith coming up to help fill the gaps.
“We’ve also got Tom Jones coming into the side on the wing for his debut, but really it will all depend on the fitness of Lange.”
Both Lange and breakaway Gus Cleaver picked up ankle injuries during the week, with their fitness to be assessed at training last night. If they are ruled out, Hooper believes his squad will still have the depth to challenge Parkes tomorrow.
“The guys we have coming in are all quality players,” Hooper said.
“Junior had come off the bench for us before and Tom was part of the premiership winning Central West colts side last season.”
If Bulldogs are to better Parkes, they will need to stop flyhalf Johny Rathbone, whose kicking game was a major factor in the Boars’ win last week.
This means defence may be the key for the visitors.
“I think they will look to attack early so defence will be the best form of attack for us, as it will nullify their forward pack,” Hooper said.
“We really need to focus on playing with more consistency and if we can do that I’m confident we will play well.
“Parkes will probably come out firing, but we are looking forward to that and we’re prepared for an arm wrestle.”
