Rayner and Robertson, along with head coach Paul Harvey took the Wombats to new heights last year when they went through the 2009 President’s Cup undefeated and won the team’s first premiership since 2002.

Harvey has since moved to the Hunter, which has left Rayner and Robertson the men in charge to guide the Mudgee club to back-to-back premierships.

But defending a premiership is always the hardest thing to do and the coaches realise this.

“It is going to be a tough year, much tougher than last year,” Robertson said.

The Wombats kicked off their 2010 campaign earlier this week when they began pre-season training at Jubilee Oval.

A huge turnout of 28 players, which included new faces, arrived at the team’s first training session.

The Wombats have retained the bulk of the squad from 2009 except for Harvey, and talented youngsters Matt Miles and James Young who have been accepted into university.

Robertson and Rayner were impressed with the level of commitment shown by the players at their training this week.

“It was good to see everyone get back into it,” Rayner said. “You got to be strong from the start so you are in front of the opposition [when you play them].”

“I would rather see players improve their game,” Robertson said.

“Someone like James Byrne, he had a great 2009 but we know he can get even better.”

This year’s President’s Cup will see the competition split into two groups as four more teams were included for this season.

Mudgee will play in the northern zone, which is toughest of the two groups.

They are grouped with the four other 2009 semi-finalists Coolah, Wellington, Trangie and Coonabarabran, as well as 2007 grand finalists Molong, Yeoval and Geurie.

Robertson and Rayner have mixed feelings towards the new structure.

“I think it is going to be more enjoyable... it will add a bit more competition,” Rayner said.

“It’s a shame that we can’t have one winner, like Blayney will probably win the other group but does that mean they are the number one team even though they didn’t play us?” Robertson said.

Rayner and Robertson said they would welcome any new or old player to the Wombats, training is on Monday and Wednesday nights from 6.30pm at Jubilee Oval.