Maitland Blacks coach Bobby Tynan has a simple message for his players – it’s not over yet.
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Maitland host The Waratahs at Marcellin Park on Saturday knowing they need to win their last three games to make the finals.
The good news for the Blacks is the teams around them have tough runs home.
Maitland were disappointing in their 33-19 loss to Nelson Bay last weekend but Tynan said his team still had it all to play for.
“We need to perform this week and we still need to win our last three games but it’s definitely not lost,” he said.
“I spoke to the boys about that on Tuesday night at training, our season isn’t over yet.
“We need to win on Saturday and they’re a good team but we’re every chance.”
Maitland lost to The Waratahs 33-15 back in round seven and Tynan said the team learnt many lessons from that clash.
“We will go back to a pretty basic game plan,” he said.
“We need to control the ball and we’re really conscious they have a sharp backline.
“We’ll have to keep the ball away from their backs and play fairly basic.”
Maitland will welcome back prop James Curran while Nick Davidson has overcome a shin injury suffered in the opening minutes of last week’s loss to Nelson Bay.
Other than the return of Curran, Tynan will have the same squad available from that match.
The Blacks need the Gropers to beat Merewether Carlton in their clash on Saturday while elsewhere Hamilton host Wanderers, Southern Beaches take on Easts while University do battle with Lake Macquarie.