Cherrypickers international Wesley Tauti ended his relationship with the Cherrypickers Rugby League Football Club last week and in a further shock, New Zealand recruit Visesio Setafano also left the club suddenly.

“Obviously the club is very, very disappointed,” Captain – Coach of the Cherrypickers James Woolford said.

The Cherrypickers were blindsided by Visesio’s departure, especially after the prop had won the man of the match during the Reconciliation Cup playing for the Indigenous All Stars earlier this month.

Woolford said things clearly didn’t pan out the way the Cherrypickers had planned with the two players.

“It’s a real shame,” Woolford said.

“A few things happened over the weekend leading up to it all.”

Woolford has said that despite the loss of the two players he is confident the team will pull through.

“It’s a loss but we’re ready to move on,” Woolford said.

“I’m 100 percent confident in the squad and we still have one or two players to come into the team.”

A little over a week ago the Cherrypickers smashed Tuggeranong at Alfred Oval with the team pulling together a strong performance against the ACT side.

The local boys won 30 – 18 against the visitors in one of the team’s trial matches they used to prepare for the upcoming season. Woolford and Young Rugby League’s President Robert Bush said the side performed well and had pulled together using strategies the team had been practising since November.

The Pickers had last weekend off to give the side time to prepare for their next game and to hold the Ladies Race Day on Saturday afternoon at the Young Services Club.

The Cherrypickers Rugby League sides are now focusing their attention on their first Group Nine match against the tough Gundagai team at ANZAC Park on Saturday, April 1.

“It’ll be tough, they’re the benchmark,” Young Rugby League’s Robert Bush said.

Woolford said the teams are looking pretty good and as long as the players run on the field with the right attitude and mindset things should be a positive result for the local side.