Mackay trip no holiday for Clydesdales

Toowoomba Clydesdales skipper Xavier Manley has declared his side won't be heading up to Mackay for leisure, with all eyes on the prize of qualifying for the XXXX League Championship decider.

Up against the Foley Shield champions at BB Print Stadium on Saturday night, the pack leader was adamant his side was travelling up for one thing and one thing only.

"We’re not going up there for a holiday or a party. We’re going up there to get a job done," the Clydesdales captain said.

Their 20-16 victory over Sunshine Coast in the 47th Battalion finale last month earned them their place against the Cutters in the inaugural North v Central final, but coach Luke Duggan has been forced to make four changes to the title-winning side.

However, this has not deterred the Darling Downs hard-man.

"There are a few late changes over the last week or so – a few injuries that couldn’t be prevented - so there are few new faces, but the blokes who have come in are all in good form so they’ll slot in pretty easy I think," Manley said.

This includes the inclusion of speedy back Chris Woodbridge who will play on the wing; fresh from scoring a hat-trick and kicking six from six conversions for Pittsworth against Valleys in the Toowoomba A Grade competition last weekend.

Manley said even with the changes, the side's preparation had been no different to how it was for the QRL Central qualifier.

The fact the squad had been quite similar for the past few seasons and the overall TRL competition being tight-knit, also helped build the camaraderie at a moment's notice.

"We haven’t had any extra training sessions as such; but for the 47th Battalion, we only had one or two training sessions before we went up there and won it," the prop forward said.

"I suppose the thing that helps us is that a number of us have played together for a number of years and once you’re in there, you gel together pretty quick.

"Everyone knows each other out here and if you are a new face, people get to know you pretty quickly. That definitely goes a long way to getting continuity between everybody."

Taking a glance at the Cutters lineup, the past Central Crows representative said his challengers would be tough opponents with plenty of quick men set to line-up.

"It’s pretty handy - there is a fair bit of talent there. A few blokes who have played a fair bit of Intrust Super Cup between them," Manley said.

"With the likes of Ben and Marmin Barba and Jardine Bobongie, it’ll be a pretty decent side by the looks of it.

"There’s probably no secret to it, they’ve got speed to burn so I dare say they’ll try and attack our edges a bit and try and get a quick roll on."

Whilst the new regional format has divided opinions, Manley said the opportunity to face the best of North Queensland was an exciting one, as is the prospect of featuring in the state final on July 24.

"There was probably a few people who didn’t play at the 47th Battalion because they weren’t as keen because there wasn’t that next step with representative division [with no Crows or Rangers]," Manley said.

"But in saying that, I reckon if they had their time over, they’d want to have their go again because it’s pretty exciting to go and play Mackay and have a run around up there.

"It’d also be unreal [to win and get the opportunity to play in the state final against Brisbane Blue]."

All in all, whilst the Clydesdales skipper was expecting a tough encounter, he has no hesitation in declaring his side can get the job down for not only Toowoomba but all of Central Queensland.

"I think there is no doubt we can get it done and everyone going up there is on the same page," Manley said.

"It definitely won’t be easy, but we can get it done."

The match kicks off at 7.30pm Saturday, June 19 and will be broadcast live and free on QRL.com.au and the QRL Facebook page.