HUNTER Wildfires coach Scott Coleman had to tell Nate de Thierry to ease back in the pre-season as the play-maker's quest for perfection hit overdrive.
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De Thierry joined the Wildfires from Hong Kong where he was part of the South China Dragons franchise in the Rapid Global Rugby competition, which was cut short due to COVID-19.
"Nate can't get enough of rugby," Coleman said. "He lives, breathes and eats it. A couple of times at the start of the season, I had to tell him to take a step back. He was so committed and wanted perfection straight away from all the players."
An elusive ball runner, De Thierry has started at outside centre in the Wildfires' opening three losses to start the Shute Shield.
On Saturday, he will wear the No,10 jumper against Randwick at No.2 Sportsground after Coleman shuffled the backline in search of a spark. Jayden Wright moves from fly-half to fullback, with Will Feeney shifting to 13.
"We need to get Nate closer to the action," Coleman said. "He gives us a bit more communication and attacking flair. We seem to be breaking down between the forwards and backs. He can play that link role."
In the other change to the backline, Michael Saili will make his Shute Shield debut on the wing in place of wrecking ball Abele Atunasia, who injured his ankle in the final moments of the 15-9 loss to West Harbour.
Atunasia joins Chase Hicks (hamstring) and Blair Rush (calf) in the casualty ward.
Saili moved from Brisbane, where he played rugby league, to join Hamilton but wanted to test himself with the Wildfires.
In three games, he has gone from the second-grade bench to first grade.
"He has improved with every game and absolutely killed it in second grade last week," Coleman said. "He has speed to burn and gives us a bit of X-factor."
There is one change to the pack. Lock Sam Liebeziet has returned to New Zealand for his sister's wedding. OJ Noah, who was outstanding against West Harbour, moves from blindside breakaway to the second-row. Tiueti Asi comes onto the side of the scrum.
Joe Tomani is on standby if Henry Stowers is included the ACT Brumbies squad for the Super Rugby AU qualifying final against the Western Force in Canberra on Saturday night.
"Tieuti make us more mobile," Coleman said. "Randwick are very fast, fit team which plays side to side."
Wildfires: 1 Faavae Sila, 2 Chris Ale, 3 Nick Dobson, 4 Ngarhue Jones, 5 OJ Noah, 6 Henry Stowers, 7 Tiueti Asi, 8 Kirk Tufuga, 9 Leon Fukofuka, 10 Nate De Thierry, 11 Michael Saili, 12 Carl Manu (c), 13 Will Feeney, 14 Will Lewisi, 15 Jayden Wright
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