The Maitaland Blacks have done everything asked of them and will receive a welcome boost with the return of co-captain Chris Logan on Saturday.
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Inspirational fullback Logan was away for last week’s memorable 10-9 win against Wanderers when two-late tries by Carl Manu and a mountain of defence got the Blacks got the try.
Logan’s co-captain Michael Howell and his second-row partner Travis Brooke are still on the sidelines, but Brooke is back training and Howell should be back within the month from an ankle injury to Howell suffered in the Maitland’s opening round win against Southern Beaches.
Missing three such crucial players would have been disastrous to the Blacks in recent seasons, but the development of their younger players and the inclusion of Manu and Willie Soe from The Waratahs has given the Blacks a much harder edge in defence to complement their attacking instincts.
Nick Davidson was back to his barnstorming best last week and fellow Anderson Medal winner Manu is full of class and will love have Logan running off him.
Blacks co-coach Mick Hickling said the Blacks defence and their trust in their attacking instincts were the hallmarks of last week’s win.
Hickling said the cover defence by the backs was particularly good.
“They have confidence in themselves and each other in defence. They worked extremely hard for each other last week.” he said.
The pieces of the puzzle for a premiership challenge are starting to fall in place at Marcellin Park, but Hickling reminded his team that there were no easy games anymore in the competition.
After a bye in the first round, the Hawks lost by a point to Merewether Carlton and will be fired up to collect their first winning points of the season.
Hickling said the Blacks would continue to play brave attacking, running football and had worked on handling errors which cost them the bulk of possession in favour of Wanderers in the first half last week.
“It’s great to be able to keep Wanderers try-less with our defence, but we need to ensure we have a greater share of the ball,” he said.
Hickling has been particularly impressed with the form of debutants of right lock Ben Wood and hooker Jock Barry.
“Ben has been very good in the absence of Mick and Travis. It was one of those moves forced on us but he has been very good,” he said.
“We always planned to bring Jock into the starting XV as hooker and he hasn’t disappointed us.
“His line-out throws have been very good and along with Ben did some great work in the ruck.”
