But the plucky halfback believes it's part of the learning curve and said the vibe could not better for their Jack Scott Cup debut against defending premiers Sydney University at No.2 Sportsground on Saturday morning.

"It is huge one but we have taken a positive outlook," Salter said. "It won't get any harder than this. We are going to focus on making our tackles and playing really hard in defence. When we get the ball, hold on to it for as long as we can and keep our heads up.

"We are under the impression that our comp is so much further behind the Sydney comp. But this is a team filled with the best players in the Hunter. I think we will give it a good crack."

Salter, who was the Hunter women's player of the year in 2019, leads a side boasting Melbourne Rebels Super W duo Ash Walker (centre) and Annika Jamieson (breakaway) and a host of NSW Country representatives headed by co-captain Tammy Clay (prop) and Emma Bradford (fullback).

"It was a bit of a shock to be given the captaincy when you look at the experience in the side," the Merewether number nine said.

"There are obviously going to be adjustments. We will definitely get punished more for errors. We have to react quickly to penalties and be solid in defence and over the ruck. "

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The Sydney Uni girls will be big, quick and athletic."

Like the men, the Hunter women have only had five weeks preparation.

"There has been a really good vibe at training," Salter said. "Everyone is keen to go. The coaching staff have brought in a professional approach. We answer surveys each week, there is a high expectation on training attendance, we have rehabilitation protocols to follow and have report back to the coaches. It has made with a really good vibe in the group.

"We don't a lot about the opposition. We just want to put some points on some teams eventually. If anything, we will all be stoked to learn something and bring it back to the Newcastle comp next year."

Hunter Wildfires: 1 Tammy Clay, 2 Sky Lovett, 3 Steph Klimovitch, 4 Trudi Peterson, 5 kate Holland, 6 Kayla Waldron, 7 Annika Jamieson, 8 Kaitlan Leaney, 9 Peta Salter, 10 Frances Afeaki, 11 Jorja holden, 12 Ash Walker, 13 Liz Kennedy, 14 Darcy Gillett, 15 Emma Bradford, 16 Candice Clay, 17 Maz Utai, 18 Cassidy Carter, 19 Jess frost, 20 Annabelle Leighton, 21 Ally Traverso, 22 Sian Filipo, 23 Sophie Clancy.

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