BRENDAN Holliday has his swagger back and coach Scott Coleman believes the classy fly-half is the right man to unlock the Wildfires backline.
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Holliday will start at 10 against Western Sydney at Lidcome Oval on Saturday in place of Michael Moloney, who ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee in the opening 10 minutes of the 31-21 loss to Easts a fortnight ago.
The Lake Maquarie play-maker started the season in the top grade before suffering a calf strain and losing his spot to Moloney.
Carl Manu shifted from outside centre to fly-half after Moloney's injury against Easts and was outstanding.
"I could have went with Carl, but Brendan has been good in second grade for the past couple of weeks," Coleman said. "He lost his confidence for a little bit. It is hard for any nine and ten when you are going backwards and not getting much ball. We have improved in that facet and with front-foot ball, Raj (Holliday) is dangerous. Also, I wanted to keep Carl at 13 because he is our best option there. I didn't want to rob Peter to pay Paul."
Holliday is one of two changes from the Easts' loss, which was followed by the bye.
Geraint Weaver makes his starting debut at tighhead for Nick Dobson, who has not fully recovered from a calf issue despite the week off.
"G (Weaver) held his own when he came off the bench against Easts and is as fit as he has been," Coleman said. "His main job is the set piece. That is his bread and butter. I'm not really worried too much about what he does around the field. I have so many back-rowers and ball-carriers so it is a good balance."
The Two Blues are are fresh from their first win, a 36-29 triumph over cellar dwellers Penrith.
"They are strong at set piece and very physical," Coleman said.
Coleman said the players had benefited from the bye and were focused on a strong finish to the competition.
"The last two or three games we have been close and then been blown away in 10-minute periods," he said. "The break came at the perfect time. Tuesday night was one of our best sessions and it was all player driven.
"Hopefully we have turned the corner. We have five games left and want to finish mid table."
Wildfires: 1 Dave Puchert, 2 Phil Bradford, 3 Geraint Weaver, 4 Jeremy Burrill, 5 Seva Rokobaro, 6 Alec Corcoran, 7 Shawn Ingle, 8 George Noa, 9 Mahe Fungupo, 10 Brendan Holliday, 11 Hayden Cole, 12 Taulogo Lalaga, 13 Carl Manu, 14 Nimi Qio, 15 Chad Northcott.
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