A new signing couldn’t have come at a better time for First Grade only days out from the first round.

31-year-old Tui Samoa arrived in town last night and will be ready to represent the ‘Pickers come Sunday.

Samoa is a high standard rugby league player who has represented USA in the 2013 World Cup in England, as well as competing in the Queensland Cup over the years for Redcliffe.

First Grade captain coach Luke Branighan is excited about the signing, saying he will be an asset to the club.

“He’s a utility player but his main position is hooker and I’ll play him wherever best suits the team,” Branighan said.

“We’ve now got five players either 30 years or older which is very handy to have coming into the big games later in the year in terms of experience.”

Samoa will have his first run with the ‘Pickers at Alfred Oval on Sunday against the physical Tumbarumba side.

“They are usually a big physical side - their captain coach Aaron Sweeney is very experienced and they usually have some Fijians that always give us some trouble in defence,” Branighan said.

But at full strength and with the home ground advantage the ‘Pickers are hoping to put practise into play.

“Obviously playing at home and being the start of the season we want to get off to the best possible start, and anything less than a win will be disappointing,” Branighan said.

“Obviously if the boys turn up with a good attitude in defence and limit [Tumbarumba’s] scoring opportunities then it’ll go a long way to us winning the game.

“We’ve always had plenty of attacking flair and with some of these major signings over the off season it’s only going to add more points to our score board.”

Branighan extended his appreciation to the club’s committee who have worked tirelessly throughout the off season to secure much-needed signings for the club.

“I’d like to thank the new committee for the off season, in particular Robert Bush, Jason Brown and Darren Corcoran who have not stopped for six months trying to make us a stronger and better football club,” Branighan said.

“We’ve been very unlucky with some big signings who have agreed to terms but have pulled the pin on us, but at the same time we’ve signed some fantastic players who will show the town how good they are this year.”

Also unlucky with potential players is the Reserve Grade side who according to coach Shaun Brown are looking good despite struggling for numbers.

“Jayson Smith at half back should go alright - he’s got a good head on him, Luke Williams in front row is a tough young fella, and a couple of older fellas will make a comeback,” he said.

“They’ll bring back a bit of experience which is handy.”

But Brown isn’t putting too much pressure on the team who didn’t play a trial match.

“It’s our first game this year so hope everyone has some fun and play as a team,” he said.

Teamwork is also on the agenda for the Cherryettes league tag team who have recruited nine new players throughout the preseason.

“I don’t want to jinx us, but I think we should be pretty good for the weekend,” coach Jessica McInerney said.

The Cherryettes have strength in numbers after recruiting a new flow of players from the junior club, as well as first-time players.

“The younger girls have got the speed and will be unstoppable in a few years time,” she said.

They have been focusing on set plays to strengthen their attack, and are pleased with their efforts in defence which has been strong in trial games.

“Now just putting it into play and making sure we can come through,” McInerney said.

According to McInerney, Danika Coddington and Nikita Bruce will be strong in defence on Sunday, with Laura Eastlake and Caitlin Silk expected to give Tumbarumba some grief in attack.

McInerney expects it to be a close game, although believes the Cherryettes have what it takes to come out on top. 

Although, it will certainly be a game not to be missed as the Tumbarumba side underwent a serious turnover during the off-season, making the outcome hard to predict.

“As long as we can keep it close I’ll be happy,” McInerney said. 

It won’t be quite so much a mystery match for the Under 18s who coach Dean Bedford predicts will topple the Tumba rivals.

Despite several players out due to other commitments, Bedford said the side is looking strong and should get off to a good start on Sunday.

“We’ve got about 20 players, and any of those 20 can play in the top 13 easily,” he said.

“We should have a pretty big year.”

Bedford is interested in seeing how his team performs on the day, and expects front rowers Jayke Hogan and Jake Walker will be on their game.

“There’s a few new faces that I haven’t coached before, so I’m looking forward to seeing how they go,” he said.

The club hopes the community gets down to Alfred Oval on Sunday from 11am and support their local rugby league club.

“As always being a player there’s nothing better than seeing a big crowd at your home games,” Branighan said.

“As a town it’s always good to get behind your locals and even more so this year some real quality signings that have been made by the club.”