THE waiting is almost over for the York Wasps as they prepare for the next stage of their rebirth with the season's curtain-raiser against Whitehaven tomorrow.

But for coach Leo Epifania, one of the many new faces at the Huntington Stadium this season, the start of the campaign has come along quicker than expected.

Having only flown in from his native Australia less than a month ago, and facing a newly-pieced together squad after the horrors of last season, Epifania knows he could have done with a month longer to hone his men.

But before Wasps' fans start fearing a repeat of the 'Season From Hell', Epifania has vowed that his side will be 100 per cent ready.

"To be honest, I wouldn't have minded another month or so to work on my plays," he said. "But do you really want to be peaking as the season starts?

"It is a long football season and all the teams will have ups and downs.

"Everything will be okay for tomorrow - we won't be starting at 100 per cent as we still have more to work on, but we will certainly be the best prepared that we can be in this situation.

"With a new coach and new players it is never going to be completely settled at the start.

"The club is going through a rebuilding stage and the first year of this is always going to be the hardest, but once they've got the foundations in place they can build on from there.

"The club's goal is to build this solid platform to eventually look towards getting into the Super League, whereas my aim is for us to have solid performances every week.

"If you are getting 100 per cent from each player then you are at least throwing your hat in for the victory."

Despite having had only a limited time to work together, and with new players joining right up to the eve of the big kick-off, Epifania is impressed with the way everyone has responded.

"The players are willing to learn, which is good, and they are all keen to be involved," he said. "From my experience players can be hard to teach, but this lot are really willing and are gelling together well."

At the core of the new side is former Kiwi international and Salford City Reds hooker Peter Edwards, who has been named as the club's captain.

"I had a look at a few players for the role," added Epifania. "There were two or three in line for it and I spoke to them all.

"I was looking for the one who gave me the feeling that they wanted it more and that was Peter."

With his relative inexperience of the British game, Epifania will utilise the knowledge of the likes of his new lieutenant Edwards, and some of the more battle-hardened players.

However, to kick-off with Epifania will be concentrating solely on his team.

"I know who the better teams are out there, but not about the individual players and the plays of these teams," he said. "The main thing for me is about getting my team to play to my plays."

With Whitehaven, Barrow, Batley, Hunslet, Swinton, Oldham, Hull KR and Rochdale all lined up to face the Wasps in the opening two months, Epifania will soon found out about the task at hand.

Updated: 10:45 Saturday, December 01, 2001