By Jake Bull
The Illawarra Cutters travel to play the Wests Tigers in the NSWRL Country Round at Workers Arena, Goulburn on Saturday.
After having the bye last weekend, the Cutters will be looking to have a successful time against their opponents, who they played to turn their season around earlier in the year.
With the scheduling meaning the team played one game between two byes, Head Coach Scott Logan was confident that this would not affect their preparation for this weeks game.
“Our NRL guys, who make up a fair chunk of our squad, train during the week and our part time guys who don’t get a game head back to local league and still get a game over there," said Logan.
"There are only a few who are nursing injuries that don’t keep ticking over so it shouldn’t affect us too much.”
One player who has excelled this season despite being a late pickup is new St George Illawarra Dragons recruit Justin Hunt, who has featured at fullback in recent weeks.
Logan has been impressed with his efforts, particularly in their last game against the Manly-Warring Sea Eagles.
“Hunty has been really consistent for us most of the year," said Logan.
“He’s really safe at the back and is thereabouts when a try is scored so it’s a luxury we do have with him but he’s going pretty well and we’re very happy with him.”
That safeness at the back will come under scrutiny this week when the team faces a team who sits equal on points and would leapfrog the Cutters if they win.
Included for the Tigers this week are first grade squad members Josh Drinkwater, Jack Buchanan and Matthew Lodge.
However, the Cutters have named a very strong side themselves that includes Charly Runciman, George Rose and the recently returned Russell Packer.
