Hunter Rugby: Wanderers coach Dan Beckett on high alert for desperate Gropers

The Gropers are coming of consecutive losses to Merewether (55-7) and Hamilton (43-17) to slip to sixth place on 20 points.

But Beckett saw enough in both recent losses and Wanderers' 24-13 win in the wet over the Gropers in round one to be on high alert.

"I was so impressed with Nelson Bay in round one," Beckett said. "The conditions probably helped us. Even watching them against Merewether, I don't think the score was a true indicator.

"They are a good unit, they play for each other and they are certainly physical.

"Their halfback Charles Fielder has brought a lot since coming back from the Wildfires. Everyone knows what Chad Northcott can do. They have plenty of weapons.

"It is a big test for us.

"We are a real tempo team. There are certain clubs who do very well at disrupting your tempo. The Bay are one of them. It is a massive challenge. They won't surprise us."

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Wanderers are flying high in second and haven't loss since a 30-19 surrender to Merewether in round two.

"The loss to Merewether rocked us a bit, but it also let us know where we are at and how we can and can't play," Beckett said.

"The boys are enjoying their rugby. The good thing is that we know we can get better and we need to in the second half of the year.

"We have uncovered some good talent and all the old brigade are putting their hand up and playing some of their best footy.

"There is so much first-grade experience in the team and there is a real competitive edge. In the back-row we have Francis Ieremia, Piers Morrell, Tom Eymael, Dan Martine, Sam Schmidt, Ben Ham and Bailey Hefren. If Eymael pulls off a big hit, Martine will be next because he is trying to out do him. That type of competitive nature is good. And it is even better when they are mates."

While spirits are high, Beckett said the Two Blues were still coming to terms with the career-ending neck injury that stalwart Luke Menchin suffered in second grade against University last round.

"He is a huge loss," Beckett said. "He has been such a good servant for the club. That's it for him now but it could have been a lot worse."

Nelson Bay are without suspended hooker Cameron Rowse, who picked up his third yellow card of the season in the loss to the Hawks. Ross Buchan returns from suspension in his place and coach Michael Wiringi has added size to the backline in Isaac Kneipp.

"We need a bit more physicality so I brought Isaac into the centres," Wiringi said. "It is going to be a tough match but we take a bit of confidence from round one, even though we didn't win.

"We bombed a couple of tries. We had a draw and pass to a winger and the ball went to ground. We got held up over the line ... it was those little things that hurt us."

Elsewhere Saturday, Southern Beaches will be out to bounce back after consecutive losses to Wanderers and Merewether when they take on a much-improved University at Bernie Curran Oval.

Maitland also face a tricky trip to Rugby Park to face a in-form Singleton.

Merewether and Hamilton have a bye.

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