Wauchope Thunder captain Aaron Robinson is the first to admit his body would have preferred a weekend off.
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But he'll have to grit the teeth for what he hopes will be two more weeks as the Thunder missed the opportunity to host the lower Mid North Coast rugby union grand final last weekend.
Standing between them and a rematch with undefeated minor premiers Manning River is Wallamba - one of only two teams to beat them this season.
"Handling errors cruelled us last weekend," Robinson said.
"I don't think it was an attitude thing, maybe it was nerves because of the occasion, but the fact they were unbeaten didn't bother us."
In the end, the boot of Corey Wheeler proved the difference in the 27-21 defeat.
Robinson expects the Bulls to "come out strong" with the added confidence of having defeated the Thunder when the two teams last met.
"Wallamba will come out strong; they'll have a point to prove I'd imagine," he said.
"We cruelled ourselves last time we played them like we did against Taree; handling errors and defensive errors cost us."
While the Ratz will sit back and enjoy a weekend off, Robinson felt playing an extra week would benefit his side.
"We'll just have to do it the hard way and it'll go to show that having that week off sucks," he said.
The Thunder will welcome back playmaker Jake Taylor who has been sidelined for the last two weeks due to an ankle injury.
First grade kicks off at 3pm at Lank Bain Sporting Complex while the women's clash between Wallamba and Gloucester starts at 1.45pm.
The winner of that match will play the Thunder.
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