And it starts on Saturday when they're away to Wanderers, the team Blacks coach Luke Cunningham thought would be the one to beat at the start of the season.

And after that they have Nelson Bay at Marcellin, Merewether away and then University at Marcellin to follow - potentially a season defining month.

"It's a tough run anyway, but we've already lost two matches this season that I thought we should have won, so it puts added pressure on," Cunningham said.

"Wanderers this weekend are quality ... big forwards and a slick backline that plays off the back of the go-forward from their pack. They will try to put us under pressure for sure.

"They brought back a lot of talented players to the club this season and it will be a big challenge for our pack to match the physicality of them."

Maitland's scrum struggled against the size of Southern Beaches a couple of weeks back - one of the losses Cunningham referred to - but since then he has tweaked the scrum and been happy with the results.

"Willie Soe has come back into the front row to shore things up, and he's the big body we wanted. We've also moved Nick Davidson to the second row - he's a very strong player - and I think that has helped too," Cunningham said.

"And I've been really impressed by Jock Barry in recent weeks since we moved him from front row to hooker. He was around reserve grade for a number of years and deserved his chance and he's really grabbed it. His work rate has been outstanding.

"So I'm happy with the scrum, but nonetheless they'll be challenged here."

Half Ben Taylor has been in top form but will be a target from the Wanderers who will try to disrupt the flow of clean ball to him. "We've chatted about a few things I want him to work on, but he's played really well for us," Cunningham said.

"Nelson Bay ended Beaches' unbeaten run last weekend and they're right up there and Uni are a 'smoky' ... they really pushed Hamilton last week. It's a tough run coming up."