Hunter were just starting to hit their straps when last year’s interrupted season was cancelled.

Scott Coleman has recruited well over summer again and will be eager to get the best out of a team that looks seriously good on paper.

Overview with Scott Coleman: 

“Things are looking pretty good ahead of round one. We’re pretty happy with where we’re at but I guess we’ll find out on Saturday,” Coleman told Rugby News. 

“We’ve obviously still got a lot of work to do but we’re in a much better position at this point of the season than we have been previously. 

“It was disappointing when the season got called off. I’m sure everyone felt the same but we felt we really needed those last eight games to show what we could do as a team. We were building nicely. 

“I know other clubs started their preseason a bit later this year but we were into it in November and we’ve worked really hard. We’ve put a lot of miles into the boys legs and had them on a gym program for a while now. A lot of the boys had never done something like that before, so it’s been really positive. 

“Our trial period has been a little disrupted. We had a few trials washed out, then we played West Harbour in the wet, then another trial against a Canberra side in the wet. 

“I guess everyone has been playing wet weather footy though and we might need to keep playing that way in the first few rounds.”

2022 position (after 10 rounds): 9th – 3 wins from 10 matches

Ins: Rob Puli’uvea (returning), Donny Freeman (Eastern Suburbs), Lona Halaholo (Brisbane), Ruan-Henry Smith (returning), Connor Winchester (Northern Suburbs), Luke Nadurutalo (Penrith Panthers), Penikolo Latu (New Zealand), Nafi Tuitavake (New Zealand), Ben Wood (returning), John Martin-Stewart (WA), Morgan Innes (New Zealand), Jack Young (returning from Manly), Charlie Bennett (returning from Manly). 

Outs: Kirk Tufuga (Spain), Henry Stowers (Moana Pacifica), Joe Tamani (Fiji Drua), Olajuwon Noa (South Africa), Carl Manu (retired), Kemu Valentini (Manly), Abele Atunaisa (Brisbane), William Lewesi (Melbourne). 

Key areas of improvement:

“The key area we’ve focussed on has been our fitness. I wouldn’t say we’ve taken care of it but we’ve certainly taken a big step in the right direction this off season. 

“The other area is our ruck speed. It was a big step up from what the boys had been used to. The breakdown is crucial in the Shute Shield. 

“I’d also like our execution as a whole to improve.”

Player(s) to watch:

“Lona Halahola is a big strong ball runner with a good skillset. He’s got a really good catch and pass for a big guy. He tackles well and is strong at the breakdown. He’s an all round quality player. 

“Luke Nadurutalo is a leaguie who has played with the Penrith Panthers and spent a bit of time training with the Waratahs as injury cover over summer. He’s a big strong ball carrying No.12 who will bend the line quite a bit I think. He’s pretty hard in defence as well, I don’t think many people will like tackling him.”

Bold prediction for the season ahead: 

“I think we’ll be competitive in every game we play in and I think we’ll surprise a few teams that drive up the highway for a holiday,” the coach said. 

“If the bounce of the ball goes our way and we avoid injuries, I think we can definitely be a top four team, if not top six. 

“We want to hit the ground running. This weekend we play the reigning premiers (Gordon) so that will be a good test.”