BUNDABERG star James Courtice is confident Wide Bay can win again when it meets Western Queensland in the second round of the Queensland Country Championships in Rockhampton tomorrow.

The Whales made a successful return to the competition after a 10-year break, beating Central Highland in Bundaberg on March 12, and despite not having played as a side since, Courtice said the preparation had been “really good since”.

“We had a training session a fortnight ago with Chris Latham, and it was very beneficial – he brought in a lot of small skills of the game that you don't really think about and he made things a lot easier,” Courtice said.

“There are no changes to the starting side but Brett Parker, an open-side flanker who was away last game, is a really good addition to the side.

“Western Queensland beat Central Queensland a fortnight ago, which was a big surprise to us but we heard the Brahmans only put a development squad in, but it will be a good test for us, and if we can get above them, we should be one of the contenders for the title.

“We should be a lot fitter than in our first game because all the Bundy boys have been travelling away to Sunshine Coast to compete with Hervey Bay, and they have 60% of the side anyway, and it has kept the team together and helped with combinations too.”