Two wins in a season usually signals a winter of discontent but the Western Sydney Two Blues have come through well and are in good shape for the start of the Covid-19 affected 2020 Shute Shield.

They have kept the vast majority of their playing roster from last year, have recruited in some crucial area and have been going about things a lot smarter.

Finals would be the over-achieving goal for the Two Blues in 2020 but the realities will be to be a side that leaves nothing on the field and the acknowledgment from opposition sides that they have been in a game.

Rugby News spoke to Two Blues head coach JOEL RIVERS earlier this week.

WHAT LIES AHEAD:
Even though the team finished the 2019 season off with some really positive performances against the top ranked teams, finishing last in any competition is tough to handle.

It certainly took the wind out of the sails for the core of the playing group, who had worked very hard the entire year.

Pre-season started well with the introduction of a new S&C boss, a new gym facility and strict training protocols, bringing a breath of fresh air into the program.

As with any team that finishes last, player retention and recruitment was important for the 2020 season. The Two Blues were fortunate to keep a great core of players for First and Second Grade, as well as some new additions to key positions.

The extended pre-season has been positive with the players training hard throughout the normal period and then the Covid-19 lay-off.

The playing group have stepped up to the challenge and are absolutely chomping to get out and play.

A lack of trial games at this time has added to the challenge of getting game fitness and combinations right in the lead up to Round One.

Manly is a tough team and even tougher to play at home but the boys are keen to start our season on the right foot.

There is minimal room for error this season and no game is an easy one, but we can assure you we are not here to make up numbers.

We have a lot to prove this season and certainly have our eyes on finals, as it is the greatest reward for a group who have worked hard to improve.

LAST SEASON: Two wins and 15 losses to finish 11th.

Not too much joy throughout 2019 but there were a number of games where we were right in it with minutes left on the clock like our game against Warringah at Rat Park and the one against Manly at Manly Oval.

Still all the group kept turning up keen to do make themselves better.

COMINGS AND GOINGS:
Ins: Emmanuel Maliki, Rory Garrett, Niko Dalivusa, Levi Dodd, Robert Duff, Philip Pale, Sev Demoni, Tatafu Polota-Nau.

Outs: Adrian Musico, Andy Graham, Hayden Cole and a number of players to Penrith.

WHERE WE’LL NEED TO IMPROVE:
Decision making is a major area of improvement for our playing group. The ability to be patient in attack and defence and then make smart on field decisions to take the pressure off etc will be vital to our success.

The boys have worked hard in the gym this offseason to also improve our fitness, especially in the end of the first half and start of the second half.

These have been our weakest playing passages last season, so needed to be addressed.

While our boys are physically large they assumed they didn’t need to do as much weight lifting as other teams.

They tired easily during those periods of the game because they had to work that bit extra in contact situations with their natural strength, rather than strength gained through correct weight lifting programs.

Thus, this was an avenue of change for our playing group and they have responded very well.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:
I would like to say the entire team because they are dying to get on the field but these players I feel will bring some highlights through the season: Tu’itakau Kioa, Micheal Zakhia, T Emmanuel Maliko, Niko Dalivusa, Rory Garrett and Levi Dodd,

HOPES AND EXPECTATIONS FOR 2020:
Finals are always the target for our seasons and 2020 is exactly the same. To do this we absolutely need a positive win/loss ratio.

Personally I would just love to see the playing group rewarded for their hard efforts in the face of a trying year.

They have been loyal and hard working, so I would love to see them rewarded with some success and positive talk about them.

That way we can continue to build a successful playing group that will continue to grow the club in 2021.

OUR BIG IMPROVERS WILL BE:
Teviata Vea has had a year of rugby under his belt and will come out firing with his growth in understanding the game plans etc.

Rory Fletcher is a great young talent and with more time in First Grade will continue to grow into an even better player.

Sione Fifita has had a great offseason and more focused than ever. I expect a much improved performance from him this season in the top grade over his time in thirds and twos last year.

WHO WILL YOUR TEAM PLAY IN THE GRAND FINAL?
Easts or Warringah – Pauli Taumoepeau and Rats forward boss Cam Treloar are great coaches with a good bunch of players. They play their games in a hard-nosed way but always in great spirits.