After multiple grand final berths in Border Rugby League, the Tenterfield Tigers are back in Group 19 and are ready to take on the new second division competition.
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The season begins this Saturday with the Tigers hosting the Guyra Super Spuds in both the league tag and men’s divisions.
Tigers’ president Brendan Minns will captain-coach the side and said the squad has been training well but would like numbers cemented for the season.
“I think initially, numbers-wise we will be a bit light on but we will be right to start off the comp,” he said.
“A couple of younger boys are sitting on the edge, they don't know whether they want to play or not. I just want a bit of commitment from them. We will definitely be fielding a side throughout the competition.”
Tenterfield welcome back key players in Jarrod McIntosh from Glen Innes and Josh Lucas from Wattles Warriors.
The Tigers are the only second division team who haven’t played a trial match with their opponents for the opening round coming off a 10-4 win against first division’s Armidale Rams.
“Playing Guyra first up will give us an indication with where we are at and what we are looking at for the rest of the season,” Minns said.
“One thing we are probably lacking a little bit is size but we have plenty of speed out the back and that will be one of our strong points.”
The Group 19 second division tournament is tipped to be fiercely competitive with the Tigers along with Warialda, Bingara, Uralla, Walcha, Guyra and Ashford all fielding sides.
Minns said the Tigers are looking forward to stepping up and the league tag component of the competition is a big plus.
“Everyone is keen to be part of [second division] because of the fact we have six other teams to play and we don't have to travel everywhere three or four times, we literally play them once and then turnaround and play them at home,” he said.
“Having the girls back in the club is another exciting aspect and then 100 years is another big factor there, everyone is pretty keen to get involved.”
League tag starts at 1.30pm followed by the men’s at 2.30pm.