Coach Paul McGregor.
NSW CUP
After the disappointment of the round-one home loss to NSW Cup premiers Newtown last Saturday, the Illawarra Cutters are determined to produce a far better showing against Canterbury-Bankstown at Leichhardt Oval today.
This will be another tough assignment for the Cutters as the Bulldogs are one of the most consistent and highly credentialled teams in the NSW Cup, having finished as minor premiers last year.
The Cutters were under no illusions about the high calibre of opposition in their first two games of the 2013 season, firstly against the premiers, which they lost 30-10, and now against the minor premiers.
Canterbury will also be looking to bounce back from a 38-16 loss to North Sydney in their season opener.
The Bulldogs were down on strength due to injuries to a number of players and the standing down of Ben Barba in their NRL first-grade team team.
Today's game will be televised live on Fox Sports at 1.10pm and will give both teams the opportunity to showcase their talents and intensity to a large viewing audience.
So that's an added incentive - as well as two crucial premiership points in what is undoubtedly going to be a closely contested competition.
If the Cutters want to be competitive with the Dogs, they will need to improve on the paltry 33 per cent possession they had in the second half against Newtown, even though in this period they restricted the Jets to just two tries, including one on full-time.
This lack of ball security through too many uncharacteristic errors and not matching the Jets in enthusiasm and intensity was particularly disappointing for coach Paul McGregor and his charges.
McGregor and his squad have been working hard to eradicate these errors.
The Cutters' big improvement needs to be controlling the ruck, winning the ground with and without the football.
"When we have got the ball we need to get quick play-the-balls," McGregor said yesterday.
"When we haven't got the ball and we're defending, obviously we need to dominate in that area."
Illawarra's goal line defence also must aim up after Newtown scored four tries from close range last week.
After a below-par performance in round one, the Cutters are determined to produce better footy today.
NSW CUP – ROUND 2 today
To be televised live on Fox Sports