RUGBY LEAGUE
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Illawarra Cutters will have a fight on their hands to maintain second spot on the ladder when they face Mounties at Ron Costello Oval on Saturday.
Illawarra's points differential, second to only runaway competition leaders Penrith, has them in second spot on the ladder going into the match as part of a four-team logjam on 28 points.
Third placed Mounties, who thrashed New Zealand 42-4 last week, are hot on the Cutters' heels after a disappointing loss to Newcastle last week.
A loss on Saturday could see the Cutters drop as low as fifth while a win would go a long way to sewing up a top-four berth with a final-round bye in hand.
A win will require a swift form reversal following their last-start 38-16 loss to Newcastle, which coach Scott Logan believes exposed some cracks.
"A few things have crept in over the last few weeks that have been sugar-coated by the fact we've still been winning and had a draw a few weeks back," Logan said.
"We didn't control the ball well [against the Knights]. Our completion rate was low and it's probably been a theme over the last couple of weeks."
Logan said the Cutters, boosted by the return of prop Matt Groat and winger Yaw-Kiti Glymin for the clash, will have to rectify those issues in a hurry to be any chance of beating an an in-form slightly depleted Mounties side
The Cutters are offering a special admission price with a two-for-one deal on $10 adult tickets.