Tallon Smith
The Albury Thunder have named several new players and a much-loved returning local as they prepare to welcome Wagga Kangaroos to Greenfield Park for a round one twilight game tomorrow evening.
A number of the Thunder’s new off-season recruits have been named for the clash, including Jordan Uinipaulo, Jacob Tobok, Christian Sifakula, Zac Mavaega, Siale Lavulavu, Wyatt So’otaga and Kelepi Holi, as well as local junior Jeremy Wiscombe, as the club looks to return to finals footy this season.
When asked about which of the new signings has impressed him the most over the pre-season, Uaisele said that he couldn’t single any of them out, with the professionalism of all of the new recruits surprising the experienced mentor.
“I’ve seen a few of them play in the two trials that we played, and I actually can’t pick one, they have their own ways of playing,” he said.
“They’ve all prepared well and they’ve actually surprised me, [coming] here from a different competition and then playing their trials, and training and seeing how they prepare themselves compared to the Group 9 boys.
“That’s what surprised me, how they adapted and how [good] they actually are as players.”
Meanwhile, Wiscombe returns to the club for tomorrow’s game after a stint playing in England’s amateur leagues.
Uaisele said the Thunder are happy to have the lock forward back playing with the club this season, with an opportunity opening up for a round one start at home in front of the Albury faithful.
“Jezza just got here a couple of weeks ago, and we have a few boys that are not playing tomorrow, [so we] gave him a chance to start, so that will be good for us,” he said.
“It’s always good to have a local boy that’s been here for a long tim, he loves the club and to have him around, I’m sure the boys are excited to play with him again this year.”
Aside from the club debutants and Wiscombe, the other major change for the side is a positional switch for Lachy Munro, who moves to five-eighth in place of injured star Paul Karaitiana, with Riverina representative Vili Cerei shifting to the custodian role.
Meanwhile, Jordan Ercegovic returns to the club following a stint with North Sydney’s SG Ball team and will make his first grade debut, the eighth club first grade debutant in the match.
As for the mindset the side is taking into tomorrow’s match, Uaisele said that while the focus remains on themselves and executing their game plan, the Thunder know not to take the Kangaroos lightly.
“We’re probably going to focus more on us,” he said.
“We just want to see where we’re at in the competition, there’s a few new faces in the team and a few young boys are coming this week so it will be good to see how they go.
“I know Kangaroos, they’re always going to be good no matter what side they put in on the day.
“Really, tomorrow is about focusing on what our job is and [the players’] roles are.”
The match is one of five games across the opening round of Group 9 this weekend, with Wagga Brothers taking on Tumut and Temora hosting Cootamundra on Saturday, while the South City Bulls travel to Young and Gundagai welcomes Junee on Sunday.
The Thunder v Kangaroos clash will kick off at 5pm, with all other matches getting underway at 2:35pm.
