Manning Ratz coach Jake Maurirere said this after the Bulls accounted for his side 20-5 in the clash at Nabiac.

This was the Ratz first defeat since the 2019 grand final. It was also costly.

The Ratz have lost props Sam Mather and Chris Noonan indefinitely while fullback Tom Burley also faces a long stint on the sidelines.

Noonan injured his shoulder while Mather underwent surgery earlier this week after an abscess burst in his stomach. Burley also failed to see the game out after he damaged his hamstring.

Adding to the woes was the loss of flanker Jake Wheeler, who received a red card.

"We were left with no bench fairly early in the game,'' Maurirere said.

"We also had a couple of players withdraw before the match. So it was a tough day for us.''

However, he added that the Bulls were too good and they now deserve premiership favouritism.

Front rower Dave Rees was powerful for the Ratz in the heavy going and he took on much of the workload for the weakened Ratz pack. Maurirere admitted the Ratz will be down on troops for next Saturday's clash against Wauchope at Wauchope.

"We will get Steve Rees back after he completed a one game suspension. But this is going to test our depth,'' Maurirere said.