Fast start crucial at Battalion rep event

RUGBY LEAGUE: Coaches love telling their teams to get into the grind, but you won’t hear Toowoomba coach Chris McEwan speaking those words at this weekend’s 47th Battalion Trophy.

The Clydesdales will try to reclaim the 47th Battalion Trophy at Yeppoon this weekend and have a massive test first up.

Event host Rockhampton is Toowoomba’s first assignment on Saturday and a win is crucial as only first round winners go on to play for the trophy under a new structure this year.

The opening exchanges against Rockhampton could make or break the Clydesdales’ campaign so McEwan will implore his players to leave the grind behind and set the tone.

“They are only 25-minute halves so you can’t get into the regular grind. If you can’t get points on the board early you will be chasing,” he said.

“The downside for us is it’s Rocky’s 100th year so they’ll be pumped up.

“That first game is going to be really important.”

Working in Toowoomba’s favour though is a much better preparation this time compared to last year.

Players have committed as attendance at two training sessions has shown despite the likes of Goondiwindi players Callum Skinner and Ronnie David having large distances to travel to attend.

“It has been really good because we had 13 changes

last year,” McEwan said of the lead-up to the carnival.

“The key is for us, our first session we had 19 out of 20 guys there ... and then our second session we had 20 out of 20.”

The Toowoomba squad has been boosted by the availability of halfback Matt Duggan after he made a return from injury with Wattles last weekend in the Hutchinson Builders TRL Premiership.

Players like Corey Blades, Steve Franciscus and Jason Wardrop - all of who made the Queensland Rangers team last year - will be key players as their experience will be invaluable for the many promising young players also selected.

That experience could compliment the hunger and talent of youngsters like Billy Jackwitz, James Dempsey, Cameron Millar and Braydon Gibbs.

“I think they’ll go well,” McEwan said.