New England Rugby: Scott Blanch finding his feet with Tamworth

On a finals course with Tamworth, the North Tamworth half-back will when the New England season wraps up captain one of the four sides in Group 4's Footie Fours competition.

The premiership winning captain-coach was this week unveiled as one of the captains for the novel competition, which is set to kick-off on October 3.

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For now though his focus is with the Magpies, and he is hoping to be otherwise engaged until then with New England grand final set down for September 26 - the Saturday before the nines.

On Saturday the Magpies can take another step towards locking in a top two spot when they venture up the highway to take on Robb College.

It will be for Blanch his first time facing one of the student sides (he didn't play their season opener against St Alberts) and he is looking forward to it; the unfamiliar making for a refreshing change after years knowing, and preparing for, what the opposition are going to bring.

"You don't have any preconceptions or anything, you don't know what they're going to do when you play," he said.

That can be quite freeing.

"You can't really plan to play, you've just got to do what you do."

Making his first appearance in the Magpies' second round win over Armidale, Blanch is finding his feet back in rugby. He hadn't played since 2015.

"It's been rusty and obviously you've just got to adapt to the subtleties of the game," he said.

"But it's been good. I've really enjoyed the last couple of weeks playing against Walcha and Coffs Harbour."

Partnering Bears team-mate Richard Clegg in the centres, he said he is feeling more comfortable at 12 the more games he plays there.

He did though enjoy getting a bit of a run at five-eighth against the Harbour Knights last week, starting there with Livinai Tuicakau coming off the bench.

"I probably felt more comfortable there than 12 to be honest, sort of getting the ball one off the ruck or one off the play is sort of what I'm used to," he said.

"I felt really comfortable there but obviously Livi's a really good 10."

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The Fijian's play is very different to what he is used to.

"But I really enjoy when he starts to run the footy and he plays kind of ad-lib, it's good fun to be around," Blanch said.

"And he's always got a smile on his face and he's a pretty passionate player, which I love."

He has also enjoyed watching fullback Tevita Pecili Lagimiri in action. Tex as he is better known had been training with Blanch and the Bears before the season was cancelled.

"You do your best on the inside to try and create stuff and just get the ball to him, he can really finish," he said, adding he's good just to watch sometimes.

With Rob Stirzaker unavailable, Lagimiri will push into half-back with Harry Snook making his return from injury at fullback. Harry Mills also returns up front as does Tom Capel at No.8 against his former club.

Nathan Watts moves to No.6 in place of younger brother Mitch, who is out injured, while Samu Bruce comes into the second row.