NEW ZEALAND rugby ace Scott Parkin could be a new trump card in the Cougar pack -- after making the switch from rugby union.

Parkin has been training with the squad for several weeks, but made his debut against Hunslet last weekend and gave glimpses of a bright future ahead.

"One of his first tackles was an absolute stormer. He hit the guy head-on and nearly knocked him out of his boots," said coach Gary Moorby.

The 6ft 3in Kiwi has recently been playing rugby union with the Old Brodleians club at Brighouse, but was determined to try his hand at the XIII-a-side code.

"He is still having to work on certain aspects of the game, he needs to speed up at the play-the-ball, but we are working with him and those things should come good. He is big and powerful, he could have a bright future with the club," Gary Moorby said.

Parkin is due to be included in the squad for this weekend's home game against Workington when Moorby is determined the team will put last week's defeat by Hunslet behind them.

"I was gutted with the result, particularly as the defeat was down to just a handful of silly errors.

"We started like we really meant business, but then a few poor choices cost us the game. We allowed them to score at vital times but the 35-18 scoreline did not reflect our contribution to the game," Moorby said.

But he has warned all his players that there will be no hiding place in this week's clash with Workington. the Cumbrian team are second from bottom of the table with just two wins and draw from their 13 games.

Cougars are locked in a four-way tie for the top with Sheffield, Chorley and Barrow all on 18 points with Hunslet just one point behind.

"Everyone in the squad has to roll their sleeves up and stand up and be counted. Our game is the toughest team sport in the world and success has to be earned the hard way.

"We have a real opportunity to get our season back on course at home this weekend. Workington are going through a rocky patch at the moment, but they will have looked at our recent results and might see us as a possible two points.

"We need to prove to everybody - including ourselves - that it is far too early to be writing us off," Moorby said.

Cougars are bottom of the 'top four' on points difference. Sheffield Eagles are more than 100 points better, but there is just a single point between the Cougars and Barrow with Chorley just 26 points ahead. The division is so close that every point they score -- or concede -- will be vital.

Now they are hoping for a bumper crowd to give the team their backing, and they will get two games for the price of one. Top women's teams Milford Marlins and Victoria Rangers are to play a curtain-raiser match in the Women's Rugby League Summer Conference before the main action with the game kicking off at 1pm.

Tomorrow (Saturday) the Cougar Academy will be looking for their first Super League scalp after being robbed of victory by Widnes Vikings deep in injury time last weekend. Their match against London Broncos kicks off at 2.30pm.