![BACK TO LEAGUE: After being part of Wagga City's unbeaten Southern Inland premiership James Olds has committed to returning to Albury Thunder next year. Picture: Les Smith BACK TO LEAGUE: After being part of Wagga City's unbeaten Southern Inland premiership James Olds has committed to returning to Albury Thunder next year. Picture: Les Smith](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/J7tLankfguv74QY82b3G7h/39e7a9a5-f180-45d7-93a3-51102065e90a.jpg/r0_443_3460_2460_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Albury have been boosted by the return of Welsh international James Olds as they look to get back in the Group Nine competition.
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Olds will return to rugby league with the Thunder ahead of the World Cup.
The classy back linked with the Thunder after returning to the border last season before COVID-19 struck.
With Albury unable to take their place in the competition due to concerns around the border, Olds returned to his Southern Inland roots and played a big role in Wagga City's undefeated premiership.
Thunder captain-coach Adrian Purtell is pleased to have the exciting outside back on board.
"It's a good signing," Purtell said.
"He's a current Welsh player but played for Wagga City in the union comp this year.
"It's a real positive."
Albury have also picked up Ty Fletcher from Leeton and he has impressed so far.
"He played with us in the nines and seems like a really good kid," Purtell said.
"He's over here doing uni so have committed to us for next year."
There is plenty of uncertainty around their side but Shannon Bradbrook (Leeton) is their only confirmed departure at this stage.
Former Tumbarumba coach Robbie Byatt is one who is considering his options, but the former Country representative is yet to decide on his future after linking with Albury in 2018.
"I'm not 100 per cent yet and we're talking about going down the coast but I haven't made my mind up," Byatt said. "At the moment I'm staying."
![Robbie Byatt is undecided on his playing future. Robbie Byatt is undecided on his playing future.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/J7tLankfguv74QY82b3G7h/265bca69-5d3a-40db-849d-c4b0709bcb44.jpg/r0_0_2461_1389_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
With Albury unable to play in Group Nine this season the club introduced a Border Bubble Nines event.
It wrapped up earlier this month, but Purtell believes it was a boost for rugby league after how 2020 unfolded.
"It was really good by a club and a good way to get a game of footy in for the guys since we unfortunately weren't able to compete in the comp," he said.
"It was a good opportunity for the guys to be back together, have a bit of fun and I think it is something we could try to do every year.
"We had a few olds boys play, a few soccer players play and a few of the union boys played.
"That is the idea of it as it's not some much about footy but more of a community event to get sponsors and supporters involved.
"It went really well."
Meanwhile Temora have again secured the services of former junior Luke Skidmore.
Skidmore was set to play for the Dragons in 2020, and was part of their team at the West Wyalong Knockout, before the club elected not to take part in the Group Nine season due to coronavirus concerns.
He will travel from Canberra to play with the club who have welcomed Josh McCrone as co-coach for 2021.