By MARK CASHMAN

Hunter Wildfires coach Scott Coleman knows that his team’s game against Southern Districts on Saturday will be won and lost at scrum time but he’s looking forward to seeing if one of his debutants make good on the promise he has shown in the local first grade competition.

The shoulder injury to Carl Manu has given Chase Hicks the chance to test his skills at Shute Shield level and Coleman is excited about what lies ahead for the centre.

Previously Coleman had been more concerned about nullifying his skills and physicality in his role as Hamilton coach and Hicks was playing for the Wanderers - one of those games was last year’s Hunter grand final won by the Hawks.