The Rams and Hawks are both coming off big first-round wins, Armidale enjoying a 108-10 win against Tingha and the Hawks feasting on plenty of Warialda fumbles to notch a 44-10 win at Warialda Recreation Showground last Friday night.

Armidale club president Terry Carson knows this weekend’s match is far tougher against a side that played last year’s grand final and looks to have improved with the addition of some players such as Guy Mepham, Cale Hobday, Nick Dawson and Jayden Connors.

“Inverell will be very tough up there,”  Carson said. “It will be a good test for us and good to know where we are.”

Jordan Wakefield and Kenny Lang will know where they are too when they hit Varley Oval, especially Lang who, as a backrower, will have plenty to contend with in a pack containing Alex McCosker, Hobday, Dawson and enterprising hooker Mick Hodges.

“They are from St Helens,” Carson said of the two imports.

“We got them through the website when they registered interest to come out and play.

“Jordan is a fullback, pretty quick and played very well last weekend. 

“He looks like an old-style fullback too.

“He  chimed into the backline well and can also play a bit of five-eighth.”

 Lang worked hard in the big win and will have a much tougher time against the chunky Hawks pack, who will only improve, their coach Peter Stevens said.

“I’m hoping we play a little bit better than we did against Warialda,” he said.

“I was pretty happy defensively but we spilled a lot of ball.

‘The good thing is we had no injuries but  a few of the boys were a bit sore. 

“We’ve just got to keep improving because it looks like being a closer comp this year. 

“Moree (Boars) stamped their authority with their win over Glen Innes at Glen Innes too. 

“Brenton Cochrane is going to be a big threat with them – he can play,” Stevens said.

In other G19 games this weekend, Ashford Roosters host Tingha Tigers, Moree Boars are at home to Guyra Spuds, Glen Innes go to Moree Boomerangs and Warialda Wombats have the bye.