New England Rugby will start on Saturday

The first grade team has a new coach this year with Jamie Moore taking over from Luke Stephen who steps into a coaching director role and will mentor the women's side.

Moore re-joins the club after being involved with Saturday's opponents, Robb College, and said his coaching style "complements" Stephen's which will ultimately benefit the side.

"And that just comes down to the fact, Luke's a level three coach, he has a great knowledge of the game, and I am not saying I don't but I approach the game a little bit more simplistically," he said.

"Sometimes it brings in a bit of a freshness but Luke is still very much involved which I am very happy about because we do complement each other in our coaching styles."

The Blues will start against the students down on numbers.

"We have trained quite well and have had good numbers at training so we are hoping our depth will hold up," he said.

"First game is always a bit of a lottery I think.

"It is just about getting back on the field, playing two 40 minute halves, there is a little bit more feeling in it than trial games or whatever in the pre-seasons."

Of their coming opponents, Moore has the inside workings of the club but their transient nature means he doesn't know who will take the field for the students.

"You can guarantee they will come in keen and start fast and the Robb Rugby culture, there is quite a hardness about them which is great," he said.

"I am really looking forward to it."

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His counterpart, Robb co-coach David McCathie, is equally as eager to get back on the field after the coronavirus pandemic cut last season short. The students are on holidays but McCathie said there had been positive signs in their pre-season.

"We have a few new faces that look like they have got a bit of ability and we have got a few of the older guys back," he said.

"We have a little bit more depth in positions where we have we have been lacking before."

Last season Robb struggled with numbers, particularly when injuries hit.

McCathie said they have been working to combat that.

"We have been trying to work hard on the boys dong some strengthwork in the off-season to prevent that," he said.

"Obviously they are a little bit younger than some of the other teams so it is important they understand they have got to do a bit of strength work.

"We have made that a bit an emphasis and we have been working hard on the fitness in the pre-season."

McCathie and Moore have worked together in recent seasons and are aware of how the other operates.

"Obviously, I have had a bit to do Jamie over the last four or five years and I think we probably both have similar ideas in how we like to play the game," McCathie said.

"I am expecting the two teams to play a similar style of football.

"But I think we are both realistic; you have got to hold possession and have to make tackles and things and then we will see what progresses."

The other games will see the Barbarians travel to Tenterfield to face the Bees and the Elks in second and third grade as well as the women's.

St Albert's College will host Tamworth.

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