The Corrimal five-eighth played alongside Dragons squad members Max and Mat Feagai at high school, Rudd also climbing up the junior representative ranks.

Signed to the Bulldogs as a teenager, the son of former Steelers winger Jody Rudd spent the summer training with the Wests Tigers before playing SG Ball for the Magpies earlier this season.

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With a desire to progress his studies, Rudd found himself in Wollongong and quickly linked up with the Cougars. It's a move in its infancy, but one he's enjoyed.

"The first reason I came to Wollongong was to do uni," Rudd said. "That was my main reason for coming, for engineering. Then I heard there was a good bunch of boys down at Corrimal.

"Everyone has made it easy for me, made me feel like I fit in. They all get around each other and everyone turns up to training and puts in with a good attitude.

"It makes it really easy to join a new club like that, especially when I come in, I was quite nervous but it was a very easy transition."

Rudd played a key role in Corrimal's 24-16 victory over Dapto last weekend, their first of the season.

The Cougars were looking forward to a new test this weekend, the side scheduled to host Collegians at Ziems Park on Saturday.

That match has been washed out, this week's heavy rain leaving the field waterlogged. Dapto's clash with Wests has also been abandoned, the two games will be played on July 24.

The cancellation continues a frustrating run for Corrimal. Coach Sean Maloney identified the rain as a contributor to their slow start, with trial games called off.

"We expect to build each week," Maloney said. "I want to see an improvement of a few per cent every week, that's what we're looking at.

"We missed out on trials due to bad weather, so it's a shame the weather's been bad.

"We need guys playing week in, week out to get our combinations and match fitness. I can't coach that, the only way to learn is through matches."

Maloney has been impressed with Rudd's impact since joining the club, the playmaker diving into his new role at the Cougars.

With the side looking to build through the season, Maloney tipped the five-eighth to continue improving each week.

"I've been impressed with Harry," Maloney said. "He's a work in progress at the moment. I understand he is a nine, that's where he was at the Tigers, but we've been short on sixes and sevens and have thrown him in there.

"Harry has given us a little more direction and his kicking game's been good. He's a good young kid.

"He's working on his combinations with the halfback and fullback. The more games we get under our belts and keeping the squad on the field, hopefully those combinations will come through around round six and seven."

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