Never before has a club fielded a larger assembly of forwards since rugby returned to the region in 2004 and the Lower Mid North Coast was formed in 2008, the Dolphins supplemented by the arrival of four Tongan forwards for employment in the area, all men between between 120kgs and 140kgs.

The Manning River Ratz coach, Mitch Carter, still smarting from his team's 22-29 loss to the Bulls in Nabiac last weekend, predicted: "I think the Dolphins' set piece will dominate the Bulls.

"We had the stronger scrum against them and the Dolphins should rule the roost there. The Dolphins should put them to the sword."

The Tongans comprise the front row trio of "cousins", Lorenzo Latu, Austin Latu and Sofilino Latu with a damaging runner at No 8 in Hau Honemau.

Forster's other front row stalwarts are Ben Manning and Gavin Maberly-Smith, with locks Nigel Pereira and Blake Polson, and No 8 Sean Hassett all hefty forwards.

Regrettably for Wallamba, their magnificent prop, Christiaan Pheiffer, has appeared to stow his boots away permanently, the former MNC Axeman tight-head, Manning, remarking on the South African's strength and scrummaging technique.

Coach Carter put down his team's loss to the Bulls to their second half lack of discipline, remarking: "We must have given away 20 penalties. We could not get out of our own half.

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"Still, the Bulls were a lot tougher than early in the season. They are beginning to click now."

Once again, the Bulls' fullback Chris Tout proved a tremendous game-breaker with his slashing runs.

Taree's Ratz travel to Wauchope to play the Thunder, a club fielding a top-class women's tens team yet strangely unpredictable in the men's competition, possessing a competitive pack of forwards but prone to lax defence.

The Old Bar Clams are at home at Richard Crook Field hosting their women's team against the Gloucester Cockies, the latter anxious to redeem themselves after their narrow defeat by the Thunder.