WALCHA’S destiny is in their hands as they chase a top tier berth but Tamworth can swoop in and snatch it from them.
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Their match-up at Walcha is one of several crucial contests today as the top five is settled.
For the Rams the equation is simple – win and they’re in.
But it’s not going to be an easy task, with the Magpies also fighting for a top five spot.
The Rams got the better of them last time the two sides met but they have been stung by the Magpies before and co-coach Barry Hoy said they can’t be too complacent.
He hasn’t seen a lot of them but is expecting a pretty tough tussle, and identified big number eight Sanimo Navatu as one they need to watch.
They’re also conscious of matching it with them at the breakdown.
“We’ve got to try to win the breakdown if we can,” Hoy said.
“We missed out on that (against Narrabri) last week.”
The Blue Boars were able to recycle the ball well and, as a consequence, the Rams spent a lot of time defending.
“We’ve expressed to them the importance of having the ball and being a bit patient when we have it,” he said.
He also identified the set pieces as a critical area.
“We’ve got to hold our own in the set pieces and work from there,” he said.
They will be missing breakaway Doug Lisle and outside centre Soni Halanukonuka.
The latter has a hamstring injury and will be a “fair loss”, Hoy said.
In saying that, Ed Cordingly, who will move in from the wing, has played pretty well there in the past.
The Magpies are well aware of the challenge in front of them.
“It’s a very big test,” co-coach Mark Daley said.
One of the pluses for them is they are pretty much unchanged from the side that beat Gunnedah last week.
Their focus hasn’t been too specific. As it has been for the last few weeks, it’s been about sticking to the game plan they’ve been crafting.
“We have to carry that game plan out and carry it out effectively,” Daley said.
And for the 80 minutes.
“We realise we can’t have any lapses,” he said.
“We were pretty happy with the way the guys carried it our last weekend.
“We probably could have closed it out a bit better.”
The only thing Daley was really critical of was their ill-discipline at times.
They gave away a few silly penalties at the breakdown.
He said they haven’t been worrying too much about the Rams but have a fair idea of what is coming at them.
“We’re quite aware that they have got a very good 10 and back three,” Daley said.
“We realise we can’t give them any room.
“And obviously their front row is quite good.”
The reality is the loser will miss out on the top five, with Gunnedah and Barraba lurking just behind and ready to jump in for whoever falters.
The Red Devils sit level with the Magpies on points with the Rams only another two points back.
Both have winnable assignments.
The Red Devils host Inverell while the Rams travel to Quirindi and will head there confident after rediscovering their spark against Pirates last week.
In the other game today, Pirates are at home to Scone.
