By Jon Geddes

THE secret weapon of premiership frontrunners the Hunter Wildfires been identified as a stalwart from a rival Shute Shield club who has made a huge impact since being recruited this season. 

Head coach Scott “Bubba” Coleman has revealed former long-serving Southern Districts prop Duncan Chubb is the man responsible for igniting the Wildfires’ forwards, who have laid the solid platform for the team’s success so far this season.

While he has done a great job guiding Hunter into top spot on the ladder, it was a measure of Coleman’s character that he shared the love by praising Chubb’s role in getting the pack firing.

“Duncan Chubb is our forwards coach and does all our set piece,” Coleman revealed to Rugby News ahead of Saturday’s crucial top-of-the-table clash with Norths in Newcastle.

“He is amazing and is doing a really good job there. I wouldn’t be surprised if he goes onto higher honours in the future.”

Chubb’s work with the forwards has been a revelation as the Wildfires can be justifiably labelled the premiership favourites after six rounds, sitting five points clear of second-placed Norths.  

Hunter winger Isaac Ulberg reaped the benefits of his pack’s strength in last Saturday’s 52-20 over Warringah at Narrabeen when he scored a try after a stunning 38m driving maul.

“It’s all accolades to him (Chubb),” Coleman said. “He’s put in all that work in our set piece over the pre-season.”

And Warringah coach Mike Ruthven paid credit to the performance of the Wildfires after last weekend’s  game.

“They are playing the game a certain way and they are doing it really well at the moment, they are the team to beat,” Ruthven said.      

A DRIVING FORCE

AFTER his shrewd recruitment by Coleman, Chubb’s dedication to his new role has been extraordinary. 

“He still lives in Cronulla and travels up (to Newcastle) to coach us, which is a massive commitment,” Coleman said.                    

Chubb regularly makes the trip up and back from the Shire, which is two and a half hours each way, three times a week.

“Sometimes he will stay at my house and  then spend the week up there,” Coleman said.

The Hunter coach said he contacted Chubb after he had a bit of a fallout at Souths last year.

“He came to a few sessions and just loved the boys and the culture and how they all drive each other and hold each accountable,” Coleman said. “And he jumped in.” 

 Coleman said the win over Warringah was probably his side’s most polished performance so far this season.

“Our forwards really laid the platform, they were phenomenal,” Coleman said. “You only get to this position from working had and you don’t win competitions in April, so we have to keep it  going.”

Wildfires skipper Rob Puliuvea said there was a lot of belief and confidence in the group.

“We know we are a big forward pack and we know are good at our set piece,” Puliuvea said. “So we just have to back ourselves and make sure we come every week ready to work, do the little things right and have clarity in our roles.

“We are under no illusion that the hard work is far from over and we have to start well because we are one of the few teams that don’t forward to having any Super players returning.”                   

POINTS TO PROVE

THEIR opponents on Saturday, Norths, now must regroup following their disappointing 46-36 loss to Eastwood last Sunday.

“For our guys that wasn’t good enough, that wasn’t up to our Norths standard,” coach Zak Beer said.

Now a loss to the Wildfires could see Norths drop to as low as fifth on the ladder depending on other results and the all-important bonus points.

Beer agreed with the assessment that the Wildfires are the premiership favourites at the moment and is well aware of the big challenge that lies ahead in Newcastle this Saturday.

“They are on top of the ladder for a reason and it’s a credit to what they are doing,” Beer said. “They haven’t lost up there this year and they have a recipe that works for them.    

“They have a strong maul, a strong scrum, an effective game plan and they are playing some brilliant footy.”