The Blues are going in odds on favourites to go back to back for the first time in the 12-year-old venture.

Captain and last year’s player of the finals Ed Hiscox said there was an excitement brewing in the club.

“It is exciting to have the opportunity to go back to back,” Hiscox said.

“We are trying to build a culture in the club and these two seasons have been great.”

The skipper said the two sides play a similar game to each other.

The middle and the set piece will be pivotal to success in the final for both sides.

Last week, Robb picked Albies’ set pieces apart.

In previous encounters between the two sides the Blues have dominated most aspects, Robb not getting within 20 points on three separate occasions this season.

Not prepared to rest on their laurels, the boys have been put through their paces at training and are sweating on the fitness of inspirational number eight Mike TeMoana.

The former coach limped off in the semi-final but is expected to play.

Hiscox returning is  another boon for the club after a few weeks off following a concussion.

The open-side flanker can be very disruptive at the breakdown and is good for at least a few turnovers.

Alex Smith will move back to blindside to complete one of the best back rows in the competition.

They will be looking to shut down Robb captain and number eight Tom Kent, as well as prop Will Chaffey and fullback David Jones.

“Those three are very strong players who hold the team’s structure together,” Hiscox said.

“We need to get on top of them early.

“The first 20 is very important and could set up the match.”

Armidale’s tight five will be called on early and will have a busy day containing the Robb pack.

Josh Croft controls a potent backline that includes fullback Dan Ah See and outside centre John Roberts.

Ah See and Roberts are incredibly dangerous given some space and can take games away from sides.

Roberts can play anywhere in the backline and has proved time and time again that he is a cut above most others in the competition, although the Robb backline was also sharp last week.

With the experience of last year’s win under their belt, the Blues are going to be hard to stop but Robb has earned its chance by surprising sides and could do it one more time.