The NHRU kicks-off on March 28. The competition will again feature nine clubs but the finals series has been reduced to four teams. Hamilton will be chasing an historic sixth straight title. We are taking a close look at each of the nine clubs in the lead-up, starting with the Hawks.
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HAMILTON HAWKS
Coach: Scott Coleman
Last year: 1st, Premiers (15 wins, 1 loss, 779 points for, 257 against)
Arrivals: Setiveni Waqa (Gold Coast), Seva Rokobaro (Merewether), Paul Dan (returning), Justis Gerrard (Lake Macquarie)
Departures: Pete Maxwell, Sireli Bainivalu (retired), Dane Sherratt (year off), Chris Nagy, Jack Chillingworth (work commitments), Joe Akkersdyk (Canberra), Tueti Asi (Spain), Pernell Filipo (Centra RL), Fiso Vasegote (Maitland RL), Jason Hill (Scotland)
First month: Lake Macquarie (h), Wanderers (a), bye, Southern Beaches (h)
Q&A - Coach Scott Coleman
Hamilton became the first club in history to win five NHRU premierships straight. Given the changes to your side and looking at the strength of the competition, will this season be your biggest challenge?
It will obviously be a test of our depth. We have lost eight players from last season and another eight from the second grade side. It's an opportunity for some young guys to step up, but it is hard to get them motivated until you start footy.
Have you adjusted the pre-season to ensure senior players like Steve Lamont, Pete Bakarich, Chris Ale are fresh and motivated?
We had six in the rep side. They will be fit and ready to go. As far as the pre-season, we have torn it back. We did a lot of sevens and made it fun and only started pre-season a week ago. We haven't had any trials and will use the first two games for match fitness and to test different combinations. We have two weeks off after round two - Easter and a bye - and will look at the season after that.
Joe Akkersdyk and Sireli Bainivalu have played in five straight premierships and Pete Maxwell four. How do you replace that experience?
It will be very hard. Their influence has been off the field as well as on it. Everyone knows the calibre of player they are. It's what they do away from the paddock for the club and to build the culture ... that is where they will be most missed.
You have juggled club duties with leading a new Newcastle representative program. How have you found handling both jobs?
The representative job has been a massive eye-opener. The feedback from the players involved has been good. They are happy with the program. But the innuendo and the tribalism from people outside of the group has been disappointing. It's killing rugby. You hear second hand that people are saying it's a Hamilton recruitment tool. It's frustrating. You give up so much time to make the program better and then you get nothing but knocked.
Back to the Hawks. What excites you most about 2020?
Connor Mulhearn is one player I expect to really jump out of the box. Last year, he had Dane Sherratt in front of him. Now is his time to take control of the side. He has all the ingredients to be a quality 10. Zac Crowley is another. He had a break-out season last year and is still only 19. His exposure to rep rugby will only be a benefit.
SUMMARY
Is Hamilton's dynasty in danger of coming to a halt? The departure of Joe Akkersdyk, Jason Hill, Pete Maxwell, Tueti Asi, Dane Sherratt and Sireli Bainivalu leaves an enormous hole. But Coleman is proven at finding replacements. Remember Steve Sione, Jason Keelan, Paddy Kilmurray, Mathieu Verden, Faavae Sila. No doubts, the Hawks will tap into their network of scouts and another quality import will happen to walk past Passmore Oval amd call in. What they still have is the best scrum in the competition and big-game players headed by Steve Lamont. The Hawks may come back to the field but history says they remain the team to beat.