Tamworth v Baa Baas: Fourth vs fifth three rounds out from finals | New England rugby

A win over Baa Baas will result in Tamworth leapfrogging the fourth-placed Armidale outfit and give their finals aspirations a major boost.

The Magpies' last match was a confidence-building 17-0 win over St Albert's College on July 17. Tamworth coach Peter Burke labelled it a season-best display.

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But he had bemoaned the subsequent bye Tamworth had last round, and admitted it was difficult to "take a lot of the energy we created out of our last game against Albies" into Saturday's clash.

However, he added: "We've gotta try and bottle that and put it back on the paddock.

"I think my side has enough talent to win this game; it's just a matter of whether they've got their minds right.

"If they run out there with the right mindset, then they'll do the things we've been talking about all season: get their discipline right, make sure we hang on to the ball and win our set pieces."

Tamworth are one point behind Barbarians, with three rounds remaining.

As positive for Tamworth is that they have no more byes, meaning 15 points are up for grabs.

Searching for their first New England premiership, Burke said the Magpies would be "pretty much full strength" on Saturday and would boast one of their "strongest sides of the year".

"It's a pretty crucial game between us and Baa Baas ... It won't be the end of either side, but it [a loss] will make it tough," he said.

Burke expects breakaway Nick Wiseman and No 10 Liam Allan to have an impact against Barbarians.

"Nick, I can see, is really hyped up and ready for a big performance; really looking forward to seeing him play," the veteran mentor said.

"Liam Allan, he's stepped up defensively really well in the last couple of weeks. So, I'd like to see another big performance out of him."

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