The frank assessment comes as the local side takes aim at Wagga Waratahs in the Southern Inland Rugby Union (SIRU) qualifying semi-final at Yanco tomorrow, with the winner earning a grand final berth.

The result of a loss is an early holiday.

But Gunn is not even entertaining the idea of his side not making it into the biggest game of the year.

“It’s one versus two and probably the two best sides on paper in the competition I think, so it’s fitting for probably what is a grand final a week early,” Gunn said.

“As it has worked out we have to play the minor premiers because of a hiccup a couple of weeks ago (against Rivcoll) but we knew we would just have to beat anybody we came up against.

“We’re the underdogs going into this one, but if the guys believe in themselves and execute to the best of their ability there is no reason why they can’t win.”

Belief is something the side has been lacking in recent weeks, but it was found again in a big way when the side ground out a gutsy 23-18 win over Albury last weekend.

After the much-publicised blistering start to the season, a combination of injuries and the unavailability of players took its toll on the side.

However, with Gunn naming probably his strongest team of the year, the Griffith outfit is poised to silence critics who believe it cannot stand the heat of finals football.

“The rumour is that they (Waratahs) think they can roll us on our recent form,” Gunn said.

“In round one it was 25-all and we probably didn’t finish them off when we had the chance, but this weekend we have to take all of our opportunities with both hands.”

Waratahs have had a golden run through much of the season.

But Gunn believes Griffith can rattle the minor premiers – who have had little scoreboard pressure on them during the regular season – into errors if it can put quick tries on the board.

The Blacks will be bolstered by the return of Brad Johnston and the confirmed availability of Drew Braithwaite, with the former having been expected to miss the rest of the season with a hamstring strain.

Gunn has also named Asiea Lomu at blindside flanker, with the damaging ball-runner expected to cause chaos for the Waratahs close defenders.

But the Griffith coach is wary of the capability of the Waratahs backline, saying first up defence will be critical if the Blacks are to dominate at the breakdown.

“The guys have to step it up another level, because they have some very fast wingers and so we have to move up and in to cut them down,” he said.

The match will kick off at 3pm tomorrow.