RUGBY LEAGUE: The reigning premiers is a nice title, but the Queanbeyan Blues think back-to-back premiers would sound even better, as they look to bring the Canberra Raiders Cup back to Seiffert Oval again this season.
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The Blues won the premiership in an extra time victory against the Goulburn Workers Bulldogs, but coach Simon Woolford said the squad cannot rest on its laurels.
“Last year is gone now, so we’re going to have to aim up every week,” he said.
“We needed some luck with injuries last year and we got that, hopefully we can get the same this year.”
Woolford’s squad started preseason training in early January and the coach said his boys are looking good for the season.
“We’ve got some good depth, we have a few minor injuries and Ben Nicholl snapped his achillies playing touch, but we’re pretty healthy and there’s a fair bit of competition between our forwards,” he said.
“We’ve been focusing on basic stuff, general fitness and conditioning, basic skills.
“But I think we’ve been going really well, I couldn’t ask for much- I’m confident.”
“Grand final lock Jared Wood-Johnston and winger Jake Knight, forward Jamal Nchouki, forward Tsai Tui, hooker James Woolford from Newcastle and forward Elijah Ngata from New Zealand will be ones to watch.
“They’re all forwards that will bring agression and their best attributes are their work rate.
“James played in the Melbourne Storm under-20s grand final (in 2009) and has been part of a winning culture, so he’ll bring that experience.”
The Blues play their first game against Gungahlin, on April 10, and Woolford said he does not know what to expect.
“Gungahlin have bought some new players and they have a new coach, so we’ll see,” he said.
Woolford said a back-to-back premiership is definitely a team goal for the season.
“Winning the grand final again is a goal of everyone’s,” he said.
“But we have to win our fair share of games- we have steps to take.”
