The games are at Poidevin Oval on Saturday afternoon starting with second grade game at 1.30pm, followed by the first grade match at 3pm.

Club coach Ben Pearson said numbers at training hadn’t been good so far and he was hoping more players would turn up to play.

“It is a bit early. At the start of the season some players have other commitments,” Pearson said.

“Tim Moule and Brad Clements are away and a couple of players from last year have indicated their unavailability because of other commitments.

“This will be an opportunity for the younger players to step up.

“Mik Webber said he was going to try and juggle his cricket grand final commitment with the game, but we will have to see how it works out.

“It is going to be a tough first up game against last year’s competition grand finalists, but we can only do our best.”

During the preseason, the Reds took a squad away to Cowra which was a mix of premiership-winning first grade experience and youth, and though they acquitted themselves fairly well, several players succumbed to injury.

They also played a three-way trial at Poidevin Oval against University of NSW and Wollongong Tech Tahs on March 11.

Pearson admitted he had been disappointed with the player numbers and the lack of training commitment. It has also been tough with some players making other sporting choices and others moving away.

Pearson is hoping players will come out of the woodwork for these first games of the season. He’d prefer not to pull on the boots for the second grade game but to concentrate on coaching.

Goulburn Rugby Club is one of the oldest in NSW outside of Sydney and there is a strong core of players, former players and supporters determined to keep the tradition strong in Goulburn.

Following the game this weekend, players, former players, supporters and friends are invited to stay around and watch the Super Rugby.

“We are trying to create a bit of atmosphere and club culture to unite everyone for the upcoming season.” Pearson said.

“Following that we will head on down to the Workers Club.”

In the South Coast Monaro competition, Crookwell has the weekend off while Braidwood plays Gungahlin second division at Braidwood at 2.30pm on Saturday.

Taralga Tigers will be down at Hanging Rock Oval playing Batemans Bay at 2.30pm on Saturday.