WAUCHOPE Thunder will return to Andrews Park for the first time since their women's emphatic 55-0 lower Mid North Coast Rugby Union competition grand final shut out last season.
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It will be a different looking side to the one that soared to great heights in 2019, but captain Naomi George is looking forward to the challenge.
"I feel the teams will know we've lost a few girls to Sydney for rugby league, so they will think we're not as strong but hopefully we can build on our foundations," she said.
"We've still got a few key players that have been in the team for the last couple of years so hopefully we can continue our success."
The Thunder will have a number of new faces trying to lessen the impact of losing players such as Ellie Johnston, Teleah Waitoa, Breanna Green and Grace Tijou from their grand final side.
"A couple of girls have come across from league when they cancelled their competition," George said.
George admitted backing up their premiership success would be a difficult challenge, but it was one she looked forward to.
"This year it will be a rebuilding year for us, but we've got a few fresh faces so it's exciting to see if we can back it up," she said.
"It's exciting."
Meanwhile, the Thunder's men's team will kickoff their 2020 campaign at 3pm when they clash with the Manning River Ratz.
The women's match kicks off at 1.45pm.
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