The Two Blues have been the talk of the town over summer, ever since the club recruited former Shute Shield premiership player Sailosi Tagicakibau as head coach late last year. 

Tagicakibau has worked tirelessly to bring western Sydney talent back to the club and has certainly got a lot of opposition coaches nervous ahead of round one. 

Overview with Sailosi Tagicakibau: 

“It’s going really well. It’s been good to get out and play some footy after all the rain,” Tagicakibau told Rugby News. 

“Our preseason has gone really well. We needed to build a program that allowed us to not only attract players, but also retain players from the local area and we’ve started to do that. 

“We had a full trial on the weekend, minus our women’s program. We had four grades and three colts sides play, which was a massive win for us compared to where we were at the back end of last season. 

“Our first goal was to build playing numbers and field all grades and we were able to do that. But we were also really competitive right across the grades. In first grade, we beat Manly, we drew in second grade and we lost by a few points in third and fourth grade. 

“We were right in every game and managed to get the win in first grade. 

“It’s only a trial game and we’re still a way off where we want to be, but it was great to start to build a winning culture at the club. That’s something we want to create in all our teams and it was a good start on Saturday.”

2021 positions (after 10 rounds): 13th

Ins/Outs: 

“We’ve probably attracted more than 60 players to the club this year. Last night at training I had 140 players. It’s hard to single anyone out because they are all still working really hard for a spot in first grade. 

“The majority of the playing group either live in western Sydney or grew up and went to school in western Sydney so it’s great to have them back at the club.”

Key areas of improvement: 

“For us, we want to be in every game for 80 minutes and compete in every facet of the game. 

“We’ve worked hard on our set piece and on all the fundamentals around that. With such a new group, both players and coaches, there’s a lot of time that needs to go in to getting everyone on the same page. 

“We also want the players to learn how to play with one another so that we can create our own brand of rugby. 

“It’s coming together slowly and playing matches is only going to help build that chemistry.”

Player(s) to watch: 

“Aleks Dabek will be our captain this year. He’s come over from Ponsonby in New Zealand. He’s a proven leader and won premierships as captain for his club side in Auckland. 

“He’s brought a lot to the club and the players have all followed his lead and united behind him. He leads from the front and he’s got a massive engine. 

“Tevita Funa has joined us from the Sea Eagles (NRL). He’s signed with the Waratahs but we expect to get him back to play throughout the season. He’s already played a trial with us and he’s adapted well to the club. He’s a local boy and went to school in western Sydney so for him to choose to join the Two Blues, it’s a huge win for us. 

“He’s such a great athlete, I think he’ll really stand out at Shute Shield level. 

“Manasa Rokosuka has also joined us from Gordon. He played in second grade there but I think he’s ready to break into first grade and really impress.

“He’s always had lots of raw talent but hasn’t quite hit his straps yet. He’s had a massive off season and I think he’ll be a bit of an enforcer for us this year. I think he’ll go really well and be pushing for higher honours by the end of the season.”

Bold prediction for the season ahead:

“We want to be a part of the finals series. I’d be lying if I said that wasn’t our target. I think we’ve got the cattle to do it and we’ve also got the depth. 

“We’ve just got to build that chemistry, get to know one another and want to play for one another. If we can do that, then there’s no reason why we can’t make the finals. 

“I think there’s always going to be the Sydney Uni’s and the Gordon’s of the competition and I think they’ll be up the top again, but I think it’s going to be really tight below that. 

“Two Blues, Hunter and West Harbour have all recruited well and have good coaching rosters so I think it’ll make for a great competition.”