TWO losses on the trot has forced Orange Hawks captain-coach Ryan Prevett to make changes for their important Group 10 clash against Cowra tomorrow at Wade Park.
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Six changes have been made to the starting side after Prevett stuck with the same side for the opening three rounds.
Hawks won their opening match against St Pat’s but have since dropped games to Orange CYMS and Mudgee.
This has seen Daniel Roach, Eddie Nafetalai, Josh Hunt, Evan Davis and Jace Delaney come into the side, with Jason Piper elevated from the role of fresh reserve to starting prop.
Prevett, who still remains sidelined with injury, said bluntly the changes are a wake-up call for some players who have been under performing.
“I’ve said right from the beginning that (the team) will be picked on form and there were a few blokes who got comfortable and it’s a bit of a reality check,” Prevett said.
Delaney comes in as the starting hooker following his premier league debut last Sunday in Mudgee off the bench.
The under 18s captain scored a try in his 60 minutes on the paddock and was happy with his performance.
Delaney acknowledges the step up to premier league from under 18s is a noticeable one and the rake just wants to hold his own in defence tomorrow against the winless Magpies.
“I’ll just work hard in defence, that’s our biggest problem, and then just organising and if I see an opportunity (to run) I’ll take it,” Delaney said.
Cowra are coming off a 76-nil drubbing at the hands of CYMS following a 46-12 defeat the week before against Bathurst Panthers.
They were also missing a few players and had only one fresh reserve but Prevett isn’t underestimating the Magpies.
Cowra beat Hawks on both occasions last year, so the Orange side aren’t expecting to have it all their own way against their struggling opponents.
“You can’t take them lightly. I think last year we had them down by 20 at half-time and they beat us,” Prevett said.
Orange Hawks host Cowra Magpies at Wade Park tomorrow with premier league kick-off at 1.45pm.
ORANGE HAWKS: 1 Trent Morgan, 2 Daniel Roach, 3 Eddie Nafetalai, 4 Todd Barrow, 5 Josh Hunt, 6 Adam Hall, 7 Steve Morgan, 8 Evan Davis, 9 Jace Delaney, 10 Jason Piper, 11 Tom Kent, 12 Chris Anau, 13 James Moala.
