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.

“I’ve always admired what he was able to do so, it’s been great to be able to work with him in this way,” Coleman told the Newcastle Herald.

“He could be anything if he decides to put his mind to it and this selection is just reward for the work that he has done in the program.

“Chase loves a challenge and loves to compete. He has great footwork and is really physical. It was between him and Angus Brown but Chase gives us a bit more of an edge.

“His fitness is slowly improving. He has been in the program six or seven weeks. If I could get him to compete as hard at training as he does in games, he could be anything.”

There is real depth in the Southern Districts front row with Todd Louden able to carry Tetera Faulkner on the bench behind Andrew Tuala, Joe Cotton and the immovable Tim Metcher.

But the interesting selection from coach Todd Louden is the move of Christian Kagiassis to the No.10 jersey.

That has been brought about by an injury to Liam Moseley and he has adapted well to the role.

“Kagi’s a bit different to Laim but he’s actually looked pretty good at training,” Louden said.

“He has good acceleration and is strong through the hips so they will have to watch him closely when carries the ball to the line.

“This is far from an easy fixture in our minds and I suppose it’s a compliment to what they have achieved this year that no one under estimates them now.

The Wildfires have a plan in place to counter the Rebels scrum with Nick Dobson coming off the bench.

Geraint Weaver, who did so well against the Two Blues last Saturday, has held his spot at tighhead.

“G (Weaver) did really well against Western Sydney,” Coleman said.

“We will start with him and bring Dobo fresh off the bench to make sure we are strong in the second half as well.

“Southern Districts have the best front-row in the comp. With our pack, I think we have a good balance between physicality and workers.”

SOUTHERN DISTRICTS (1-15):

Andrew Tuala, Joe Cotton, Tim Metcher, Max Freeman, Jake Douglas, Phil Potgieter, James Finch, Sama Malolo, Sam Harris, Christian Kagiassis, Viliami Latu, Nathan Lawson, Brandon Finnegan.

HUNTER WILDFIRES (1-15):

David Puchert, Phillip Bradford, Gerant Weaver, Jeremy Burrill, Sevanaia Rokobara, Alec Corcoran, Shawn Ingle, George Noa, Mahe Fangupo, Brendan Holliday, Hamish McKie, Taulogo Lalaga, Chase Hicks, Nimilote Qio, Chad Northcott.

IMAGE: ANDREW QUINN / GORDON RUGBY