LAKE Macquarie fly-half Jarrod Nyssen has warned the Roos not to let emotion override concentration against Hamilton in the grudge match of the Newcastle Hunter Rugby Union season at Passmore Oval on Saturday.
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The hostility stems from the pre-season when the NHRU board reduced the Roos' player-points cap from 29 points to 24 after protests from a number of clubs. The change essentially ruled out two recruits (six points).
Palamo pointed the finger at Hamilton coach Scott Coleman and on facebook wrote: "The Roos have had our points reduced due to the complaints from sooky Bubba Coleman ... don't worry I will have something special for you on June 1."
The Roos, who will field an almost unrecognisable team to the cellar dwellers of 2018, sit alongside premiers Hamilton in equal second place, with just one loss.
"There is a bit of ill feeling towards them," said Nyssen, who is one of the fresh faces. "It is good to have feeling, but you have to realise that we are playing a game that needs concentration. You can't think that anger and attitude will win us the game."
Palamo played down the animosity on Friday.
"There were a few things we weren't pleased with around the player points system," he said. "That is out of my control. All I can control is what happens on the field. You back yourself to play to your strengths and give it a good crack."
Captain Marlon Solofuti adds to a Roos' casualty list that includes Brendan Holliday, Willie Fraser, Hayden Pedersen and Dylan Heins but Palamo is confident of a strong performance.
Marty Lisiua comes in on the side of the scrum, but their strength is their inside backs, Nyssen, Brian Sefanaia and Kirisome Laulala, who helped the Hawks to the 2018 premiership.
Hamilton are without powerhouse No.8 Tiueti Asi and hooker Chris Ale, who's partner is heavily pregnant.
Asked about the animosity between the clubs, Coleman said: "There is no doubts it will be a physical game. They will probably treat it as a grand final. We obviously want to try and run them off their feet as everyone does. But we have to match them up front before we go wide."
Elsewhere Saturday, English prop Alex Reid will make his debut when Wanderers host Nelson Bay, Singleton are home Maitland and University host Southern Beaches.
