Tamworth coach Peter Burke has averted one headache - for another week anyway - with young gun Harry Snook set to miss Saturday's clash with Glen Innes with a calf injury.
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Snook's return from Sydney and Scott Blanch's decision to join North Tamworth team-mates Richard Clegg and Jeremy York in the black and white has left the Magpies mentor has a few "good" headaches as he juggles his backline riches and tries to work out the best fit.
Against Armidale last week only five-eighth Livinia Tuicakau, Clegg and winger Kabati Matanakilagi ran on in the same position they had in the first round, and not because of necessity.
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Burke said Snook picked up the injury playing on Friday night. But the teenager masked it well, scoring a hat-trick for second grade before showing some nice touches off the bench in first grade.
The backs have the potential to be a real strength for the Magpies but didn't quite click against the Blues. Burke is looking forward to seeing what they can produce with a game together under their belts and after training "the house down" on Thursday night, although the forecast rain might hamper that.
He said individually they've got "everything they need to win matches", it's just a matter of whether they can combine that and under the pressure of the game environment.
The Magpies are expected to make it three-from-three and couldn't have prepared better, but Burke has cautioned against taking the Elks lightly.
"They put up a really good fight against Robb last week (they led with 15 minutes to play)," he said.
"They're obviously a good side that can't be underestimated."
"I've been talking all week about respecting the opposition and maintaining our game."
As Robb almost learnt last week, any team can beat anyone on their day.
"If you run out on the field complacent you could end up getting a bit of a lesson," he said.
There is also the rain factor.
"Rain is a big leveller, it will be interesting to see how they tackle it," Burke said.
It is set to be a big day at Tamworth Rugby Park with four grades in action. Third grade will kick things off at 11.55am.
