There might be seven rounds left in the Southern Inland Rugby Union (SIRU) competition but the Tumut Bulls already face do-or-die matches if they want to play finals footy.
Tumut are about to kick-off an important four game stretch, commencing with an away trip against the Blacks in Griffith tomorrow, before taking on Ag College away, Albury at home and Reddies away.
A fifth place Bulls trail Griffith by a win and a bonus point and a victory on Saturday will have them one step closer to finals.
Tumut forward Jon Carmody believes his side can make finals, but he also stressed some improvement would be needed in the coming weeks.
“I think we are a good chance,” Carmody said.
“We have to do a bit of work. There are a few things that were exposed by Waratahs and Wagga City, but they are things we can fix.”
A tough draw has the Bulls facing both Tahs and City three times this season, and while it looks as though Tumut drew the short straw, Carmody said it was part and parcel of rugby.
“Like the old saying goes, it’s the luck of the draw,” Carmody said.
“It is what it is. If the shoe could have been on the other foot and we could have been playing Reddies and Ag College last month, we wouldn’t have said a word.”
The big forward said consistency and defensive resolve were the main areas the Bulls needed to improve on.
“We really need to play the 80 minutes and be strong right across the park,” Carmody said.
“Probably our defence hasn’t been the greatest and it’s something we have been working on at training.
“We know we can attack but tightening up the defensive line will help a lot.”
Bulls coach Ray Wells believed the next four games would determine if Tumut made the SIRU finals, while he added it was a good opportunity to build confidence before facing Waratahs and City in the final two rounds of the competition.
“Basically, the next four weeks represents whether we make the top or we don’t,” Wells said.
“If we can build as we go through that four-game stretch, then the opportunity is there when we get the Waratahs at home.
“If we are tracking nicely, we can put some pressure on them and potentially come away with a win, which will help if we are to get into that top four.”
Despite losing four games on end, Wells said the Bulls were building nicely and would push Griffith on their own turf.
“The big thing is, we had a stretch of four really tough games, but in saying that, there was a lot of confidence, and we are starting to play to our game plan,” Wells said.
“Once again, it is a matter of maintaining possession and getting our defence in quickly to turn the ball over.
“Overall, we have actually made progress, and the results probably don’t show that, but I think we are playing some okay rugby.”
Wells didn’t want to blame results on the draw and was of the belief that his side needed to be ready to face the best teams.
“Look, the draw is the draw, yes it was tough, but it showed us where we are lacking and where we need to improve,” Wells said.
“If we want to win a championship or make the top four at a minimum, we need to beat one of these top four teams and we need to get used to playing at that higher level.”
When quizzed on how the Bulls would handle a tough four-game stretch, Wells said a refreshed outfit was ready and raring for the challenge.
“It is up to us as individuals and collectively to improve, so when we do take them on in this second round, we give ourselves every chance of winning,” Wells said.
“They are all positive. We had a week off; we are fresh and we had good numbers at training, and everyone is keen to get back into it again.”
The entire Bulls club is on the road to Griffith tomorrow with a big day of rugby at Griffith Exies Sports Club.
Tumut’s reserve grade team takes on a second place Griffith and a win is important as the seventh place Bulls chase their fourth win of the season.
In Women’s 10s action, Tumut are up against it when visiting a top of the table and unbeaten Griffith Blacks.
The Bullettes have been on the back end of two close defeats in recent rounds and should be up for an improved effort.
Bulls run home
July 3: Griffith (A)
July 10: Ag College (A)
July 17: Albury (H)
July 24: Reddies (A)
July 31: Waratahs (H)
August 7: Bye
August 14: Wagga City (A)
Saturday kick-off times
2nd grade: 12.55pm
Women’s 10s: 2.20pm
1st grade: 3.15pm