Shute Shield: Wildfires know they need to do it up front to beat Uni
By MARK CASHMAN
Hunter Wildfires coach Scott Coleman knows better than anyone that there is no easy path to beat Sydney Uni, the Shute Shield’s defending premiers on Saturday.
You’ve got to be competitive at scrum time and at the lineout and when the few chances the Students do offer come along you’ve got to grab them as if they are gold.
Coach Coleman said they aren’t going to the game to make up the numbers.
“To be honest we really want to win this one – that has been out mindset,” he said. “But to do all that we have to compete at set piece.”
Sydney Uni coach Michael Hodge says he will head north to Newcastle with guarded expectations.
“It’s a a great challenge this week. As a squad, we’re really excited about the opportunity to head up north,” he said.
“Newcastle have looked good over the past couple of weeks, and I’ve been really impressed with their intent in defence.
“For us it’s a simple focus. We need to be better and more consistent at set piece and its an opportunity to refine our attack. Last week was certainly an arm wrestle, but we still created plenty of opportunities.”
No.6 Nick Champion de Crespigny has been consistently good in the first few games and should be in for a big game against the Wildfires.
“Weather looks great and I’ve heard the deck might just be the best in the Shute Shield. How good,” added Hodge.
HUNTER WILDFIRES (1-15):
David Puchert, Christopher Ale (c), Nicholas Dobson, Adam Edwards, Sevanaia Rokobara, Sitiveni Waqa, Shawn Ingle, Benjamin Ham, Mahe Fangupo, Connor Mulhearn, Rob Buserau, Taulogo Lalaga, Hayden Cole, Nimilote Qio, Brendan Holliday.
SYDNEY UNI (1-15):
Matt Sandell, Patrick O’Doherty, Darcy Breen, Luke Porter, Thomas Willson, Nick Champion De Crespigny, Jack McCalman, Rohan O’Regan, Banjo Travers, Connor O’Shea, James Kane, Will McDonnell, Henry Clunies-Ross, Ofa Manuofetoa, Tim Clements.
IMAGE: STEWART HAZELL / HUNTER WILDFIRES