The main source of discussion has been the distance clubs in the southern area of the group have to travel in 2014.

Moree Boars have also joined the Group this season, which results in two trips to Moree and a trip to Goondiwindi, a burden southern clubs thought they may not be able to handle.

It has been reported that Uralla are already considering forfeiting to Goondiwindi this far out from their May 31 trip north due concerns over the cost of travel, which they made clear could be a problem for their club at Group 19 meetings in the pre season.

Although, at a meeting last week, Group 19 officials passed a motion that any side who forfeits their away match to Goondiwindi will also forfeit their home match and points will be awarded to the Boars.

The Armidale Rams face the four plus hour trip to Goondiwindi this weekend.

“We’re not overly excited about it,” Rams president Terry Carson said of the trip.

“But we’re happy to get it out of the way early on.

“We will be taking two full teams.”

After beating Uralla 36-32 in a fierce local derby last weekend, Armidale’s top side is expected to be almost full strength.

“Our lock Gary Quinlan picked up a wrist injury at Uralla and he’ll be out,” Carson said.

“We have a weekend off for Easter after this, so hopefully he will only miss a week.”

Goondiwindi are yet to play a game after their match against the Boomerangs was postponed last weekend, leaving the Rams not knowing what to expect when they cross the border to face the Boars.

“We will just focus on getting ourselves right and that should go a long way to winning,” Carson said.

It will be a tough start to the season for the Rams as they face three serious title contenders in the opening three weeks.

They drew the completely revamped Uralla side in the first round, before playing the ever consistent Tingha Tigers in round three and defending premiers Moree Boomerangs in the fourth round.

“It’s a pretty tough start, but it’s good to get some of those matches out of the way early,” Carson said.

Meanwhile, Uralla will be looking to get its first win on the board when they travel to Tingha on Saturday for the battle of the Tigers.

Tingha beat an improved Ashford Roosters outfit 34-10 and will prove a real test for Uralla.

Uralla also have a tough start to the season. 

After their opening round loss to the Rams and this weekend’s match against Tingha, they face the Moree Boars in round three and Glen Innes in round four.