WANDERERS coach Dan Beckett can't remember a bigger tackle.
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Maitland captain Carl Manu hit Chase Hicks with everything he had in the preliminary final. Whack.
Hicks simply shook it off and went again.
It wasn't the first time, Beckett has shaken his head in wonder at the 22-year-old centre.
"Some of the things he does at training in terms of his athleticism and footwork ... he's incredible," Beckett said.
"We have had a lot of conversations during the season on how good he could be. He really hasn't fulfilled his talent. He could be anything. He really could. I certainly encourage him to set the bar high."
On Saturday, Hicks will play his first grand final when the Two Blues take on Hamilton at No.2 Sportsground.
"I wasn't too sure how I would go this year," Hicks said. "I was a bit nervous in the first few games. We just have to dig in and play for each other. Whoever wants it more will be playing harder. Dan has talked about connections all year and that is what we have tried to build - a good group where everyone backs up for each other."
Hicks joined Wanderers this season after a year off for the birth of his daughter. Before that he had three years at The Waratahs, making his debut as a 17-year-old in 2015 outside Manu.
"He worked pretty hard in pre-season," Beckett said. "You could tell he was an athlete but after a year off he was pretty rusty.
"Once he got his timing and mojo back, I realised he was something special."
Hicks followed former Tahs teammate Noah Taufaao to No.2 Sportsground.
"I was keen to get back into it and Noah told me to come to Wanderers," Hicks said. "He played here last year and really liked it. I've been trying to get better every week. Everyone here is really good and you get a lot of support."
Hicks has formed a lethal partnership with Fijian inside centre Nimi Qio.
"Nimi is fun to play alongside," Chicks said. "I don't think he puts too much thought into it. He just grabs the ball and runs. I have to be there for the clean out if he doesn't score."
Apart from bounce back from Manu tackle, Hicks scored a hat-trick of tries in the final, his best game of the season.
"Chase has enormous respect for Carl," Beckett said. "He was out-played by him in the first round. He remembered that going into the biggest game of the year. For him to play the way he did up against such a great player in Carl, was really pleasing."
Next is the Hawks and Fiso Vasegote, who plays a similar bull-at-a-gate style to Manu.
"He is good and it will be a good match up," Hicks said. "We have to turn up for each other and make the most of our chances."
