SCOTT Coleman cannot fault the Hunter Wildfires' willingness to stay in the fight but the coach knows if they are to compete with the top teams in the Shute Shield they need to adapt to the pace of the game - and fast.
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The Wildfires were torched in the opening 40 minutes by a rampant Sydney University in a 59-10 loss at No.2 Sportsground on Saturday.
The Students scored three tries in 12 minutes to runaway 19-0. Bar kick-offs, the Wildfires had barely touched the ball.
The visitors continued at better than a point-a-minute in a stunning first half to lead 47-5. Near perfection.
The Students played at a speed way beyond anything the Wildfires have been exposed to. Their accuracy and efficiency at the breakdown had the visitors on the front foot and the execution and variation in the backs had the home side grabbing at air.
It could have gotten uglier in the second half. But the Wildfires dug in and held the Students to 12-5 .
They slowed down the visitors' ball at the breakdown, aimed up better in defence and were able to string phases together.
"It was pleasing how we came back in the second half," Coleman said. "Sydney Uni were just clinical. They are a well-drilled outfit and their skill level is at the next level.
"We aren't used to competing at that speed. All their passes are out in front, none are behind, and they are just clinical."
Sydney Uni coach Luke Hodge couldn't have been happier with the first half, which produced seven tries, but also had praise for the fight shown by the homes side.
"Our first focus was the hit and to clean them out of the way at the breakdown," Hodge said. "With the ball, I just wanted them to back themselves and keep pushing and pushing.
"When they slowed down our ball and made it scrappy ... it was what 12-5 in the second half.
"The Wildfires will knock off some teams. Absolutely.
"I'm not going to berate our guys for a close second half. I think the Newcastle guys really put it to us. "
It was a similar scenario for the Wildfires in their 50-7 loss to Randwick in the season-opener three weeks ago. They trailed 12-0 after 14 minutes and 24-0 at half-time.
It was the reverse in the 46-11 defeat to Eastwood in round two. They were down 13-11 with 30 minutes to go and faded.
"We just have to hang in there," Coleman said. "It is something to work on. We are getting better and better. It's just that opening 20 minutes which was disappointing. Our whole forward pack had a crack and competed. Our problem is that we have to click for 80 minutes to beat any of the top teams.
"Next is Manly at Manly. It doesn't get any easier.
"We only came together four weeks before the start of the competition. We play the top six teams in the opening six rounds. If we can compete and learn how to play at that speed, come the back end of the competition - against West Harbour, Parramatta and Penrith - we should be strong."