Cowra Eagles player Troy Jeffs returns this week from injury and said the club isn't taking anything for granted as they head over to Grinsted Oval to take on the Forbes Platypi.
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We just got to focus on our own jobs... Going out on the road isn't ideal... but everyone's got to do it
- Troy Jeffs says the Eagles aren't backing away for their next two road-trips
The Eagles, who sit at 4-1, with last week's abandoned Orange City Lions still yet to be allocated an official result, have a tough run of games coming up, with this week's away trip set to be followed up by another journey to take on the undefeated Bathurst Bulldogs.
However, Jeffs said his side isn't backing away from the challenge that awaits them.
"We just got to focus on our own jobs... Going out on the road isn't ideal... but everyone's got to do it," Jeffs said.
"Nothing gets confidence going like wins on the road."
With Forbes the team that is geographically closest to Cowra in the Central West Rugby competition, Jeffs admitted that the matches against the Platypi take on the intensity of a cross-town showdown, and said the Eagles were ready to handle the physical intensity that demands.
"It's always a physical game against Forbes... It's sort of like our local derby," the experienced player said.
"We just got to be really switched on around our ruck defence at this stage."
One player from the Platypi that Jeffs said the Eagles will need to be mindful of is Mahe Fangupo, with Jeffs paying tribute to the star player's ability around the scrum.
"Mahe's a strike player around the back of the scrum," he said
"We know if we match them physically we'll be able to stick it out... Applying pressure where we can get on the front foot."
However, an asset that the Eagles do have up their sleeves is former skipper Chris Miller, who was named as lock earlier this week in the Central West Blue Bull's team.
Jeffs said having someone of Miller's experience in the Eagles' squad was a tremendous benefit to his side.
"He works hard for it... he's a leader in our club and he's a leader in the Central West," Jeffs said.
"He's one of those blokes that a lot of people don't like playing [against], but a lot of people like playing alongside.
"Hopefully he can perform well in that."
Cowra will take on Forbes at 3.15pm on Saturday in the Blowes Clothing Cup, with the women's match (featuring the combined Cowra-Canowindra team) taking place at 12.45pm and the men's reserves outfits going head to head at 1.55pm.
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