THE Group 3 rugby league draw is out and the competition will start with a bang.
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Cross town rivals the Port City Breakers and the Port Macquarie Sharks will do battle in the first round at Regional Stadium.
The following week the Sharks will be home to the Old Bar Beach Pirates while the Breakers head away to take on the Wingham Tigers.
In the third week the Breakers play at home against the Wauchope Blues with the Sharks turn to travel to play the Taree City Bulls. Breakers coach Ben Sprague said it would be a massive game to come up against the Sharks in the first round.
"They had a pretty strong team last year and with a few new additions to their team, really, they are going to be the benchmark of the competition," he said.
"The Sharks are going to be the side to beat.
"It would have been good for us to meet them with a few games under our belt but at least it will be a good guide as to where we are at this early.
"At the same time the first game isn't going to make or break our season."
While the Sharks have recruited well in the off season so have the Breakers.
The club has signed a Queensland Cup hooker, North Coast representatives Ritchie Roberts and Kurt Lewis, Dylan Hemsley from the Wauchope Blues and Tommy Dooker.
Connor Cheeseman and Ethan Hyde have both indicated they will be back in sky blue colours.
The Port Macquarie teams will meet on April 12 with kick off at 3pm.
Action starts with women's league tag at 11.40am.