It's a common refrain for rugby league coaches but it's never been more true for Thirroul and Wests ahead of their Presidents Cup opener on Saturday.

In many ways, the clash between the traditional rivals looks like any other season-opening blockbuster at Gibson Park.

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However, it'll be anything but given the myriad of circumstances that have put the clash together, including their belated entry into the state-wide competition less than seven days before kickoff.

The scheduled Illawarra League curtain-raisers were all postponed on Friday amid fears of the latest COVID-19 outbreak.

It's been a whirlwind but Butchers coach Jarrod Costello says his side will be treating it the same as any other derby.

"It's really good we're playing against Wests in round one before we both go and embark on something that's going to be completely uncharted," Costello said.

"They're usually hotly contested and there's a fair bit of feeling in them, I don't think this week will be any different.

"It's round one, you can't overcomplicate things worrying about the opposition because no one really knows that to expect.

"We've just focused on ourselves and make sure we've got a pretty simple game plan because that's really all we can do."

The Butchers will look very different to last season following the departure of several stars - three-time Paul McGregor Medalist and skipper Joel Johnson chief among them.

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It'll see some tweaks in how they play but Costello says his side won't stray from what's in the club's DNA.

"There's been a fair bit of turnover, we've had 12 guys from our first grade from the semis last year," Costello said.

"I've definitely had to have a look at how we play just because of the personnel we've got. It's like that every year, people go in and out, and you've got to make sure you have a style of footy that complements who you've got in your team.

"There'll be some slight changes but that Butchers style of trying to grind teams out, being strong through the middle and really good in those effort areas will still be there."

Wests coach Pete McLeod is singing from the same hymn sheet, not looking beyond week one after a chaotic preparation.

"Both us and Thirroul are in the same boat as everyone in this Presidents Cup, no one's coming in off a good preseason, no one's coming in off trial games," McLeod said.

"Everyone's just had to get a group of blokes together, throw them on the paddock and work it out on the field.

"Last week we were preparing to play in the Illawarra League and it feels like eternity ago. This week we're in a different league, we're playing against teams in Sydney.

"I don't how it's all going to look on Saturday but we'll be there swinging and I've got no doubt Thirroul will as well.

"There's been a really good feel at training, I'm really proud of how the boys have ripped in, and it's just going be good to finally get a game of footy."

The day at Gibbo was set to be a three-grade affair but all Illawarra senior competitions were postponed on Friday.

Neighbouring competitions including the Macarthur region and Group Six competitions had already been postponed a fortnight, while Group Seven followed suit on Friday just a day out from the scheduled commencement of their season.