Tumut injuries mount ahead of showdown

The Blues proved far too good for the Wagga side, taking a 44-18 win at Twickenham on Saturday, but by the end of it only had one fit player on the bench.

Former coach Adam Pearce (thumb), five-eighth Jacob Toppin (ribs) and winger Lewis Arragon (hamstring) all failed to finish the clash.

Injured co-coach Dean Bristow admitted it was far from how he wanted to head into the showdown with Gundagai.

However he was thrilled with how his team overcame the injury problems to remain unbeaten.

"The characteristics of the team was on display as there was a little bit of turmoil in terms of blokes playing out of position but whoever gets thrown in whatever jersey they turn up and get the job done," Bristow said.

"It is not ideal but we do have blokes there who can cover different spots."

While Brothers scored first, it was Tumut who dominated the early stages of the clash and hit back with three quick fire tries.

The game was stopped when Aaron Wynne was felled after a high shot from Zac Masters, who was sent to the sin binned, but it was Tumut who scored next through Jacob Sturt.

James Morgan scored his second to see Brothers get back to 22-10 at half-time and the winger completed his hat-trick shortly after the break to see the Wagga side get within eight points.

However with Chris Maher sent to the sin bin Tumut took advantage with Jed Pearce crashing over in the next set.

Masters then charged through the middle and had too much footwork for Cade Price to ensure there would be no comeback.

Bristow was thrilled with his forward pack's performance.

"We really dominated the early field position and I don't think they made it much over halfway in that first half," he said. "There were a couple of little lapses there, which was a bit disappointing, but to still run away with it under the circumstances of losing some key players is very nice."

Brothers got one back as Jordan Little scored with six to play before late tries to Andrew Harris and Tevita Aroha-Tuinauvai blew out the score.

The win ensures Tumut and Gundagai will finish in the top two, and play off for a place in the grand final for the second year running, but where will be decided when the two unbeaten teams, who had a draw to start the season, face off at Anzac Park on Saturday.

Last year the two arch rivals also determined the minor premiership at Anzac Park in the final round of the season.

The Tigers scored a 34-6 win on that occasion, but Bristow believes they are much better positioned this time.

"I think we are much in better shape leading into it as we have been there and done it before," he said. "We know what to expect so we will regroup and throw everything we have at it to get this minor premiership."