COACH Scott Coleman had one word - credibility - at the forefront of his mind when he started poring through resumes and videos of potential recruits for the Hunter Wildfires.
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The Wildfires needed a big kill. A name that would resonate with other targets and help attract them to a fledgling Shute Shield squad.
He found that player in Henry Stowers. The back-rower made his Super Rugby debut for the Western Force last year and, having just turned 26, was at the peak of his powers.
"We had to recruit 15 players from outside the region. That was part of the criteria the local clubs set for us to compete in the Shute Shield fulltime," Coleman said.
"You talk to any players about coming to Newcastle and the first thing they ask is 'who have you got'. We needed a name. To get Henry first and then Leon Fukofuka and Kirk Tufuga ... you rattle off those names and players are immediately interested."
The Widlfires now have 22 contracted players, the majority of which have played in the National Rugby Championship or at a high level overseas.
Stowers had returned home to Wellington, New Zealand, when contacted by Coleman.
"I had been home about four months and started looking around at options," Stowers said. "When Bubba (Coleman) approached me, I didn't know anyone here. I had been to Newcastle with the Force for the Global Rapid Rugby game and remembered the beaches and how nice the city was.
"I only found out about Leon and Kirk after I signed. I didn't know about the history of the club. When Bubba mentioned this was their first proper year in Shuite Shield, it didn't have an impact. I was sure of my decision to come here. I thought it would be good to have the underdog tag. Since I have been here, it hasn't felt like that."
It's only early days, but Stowers has more than lived up to his reputation.
He was among the Wildfires' best in the 24-7 loss to Randwick in their first hit out at a rain swept Latham Park last Saturday, and along with the Fukofuka and Tufuga has set the bar on the training paddock.
"He is not a big talker. He is more a leader by his actions," Coleman said. "You don't have to tell him anything at training. He applies himself as a professional athlete. He sets the standard at training and lifts the quality in games.
"He also doesn't mind a beer and has fitted in on the social side of things."
Stowers spent three years in Perth and heard plenty about the Shute Sheild from his former Force teammates.
"A few of the boys told me about it and how good it is," Stowers said. "I had three good years at the Force. I made my Super Rugby debut over there. Even the year before when we were in Rapid Rugby, I got picked up by Manu Samoa for international rugby. That is still a massive goal."
But first is Newcastle and the Shute Shield.
"I got my first taste on Saturday and it was tough to say the least," he said. "It is definitely a good level of competition. We are only going to get better with more game time. I thought we put in a strong first half last week. We just need to tidy a few things up and work on our combinations."
Stowers has been joined in Newcastle by fiancee Priyena and they have set up camp in Wickham.
"It is really exciting," he said. "I am getting my paperwork done to start some youth work. I have never done anything outside rugby before and I am excited to start that journey."
The only complaint Stowoers has is about the recent big wet.
"Before I got here, people were telling me how nice the weather was here," he joked. "I was thinking, man, this wasn't in the brochure. That is why I left Wellington."
The Wildfires finalise preparations for the Shute Shield with a trial against Canberra outfit Norths University at Ernie Calland Field on Saturday. First grade kicks off at 4.30pm. They open the Shute Shield away to Sydney University on April 10.
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