HUNTER Wildfires coach Scott Coleman has described the departure of key players as "bittersweet" but feels the recruitment of established Shute Shield representatives and formation of a NSW Waratahs-linked academy bodes well for 2022 and beyond.
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Joseva Tamani (Fijian Drua) and Ngaruhe Jones (Europe) join the likes of Henry Stowers (Canterbury, NZ) and OJ Noa (Sharks, South Africa) as high-profile exits overseas, however, on Wednesday the Wildfires announced the signing of Sydney pair Connor Winchester (Norths) and Donny Freeman (Easts).
Coleman said Hunter's first XV best and fairest Nathan De Thierry, who is bound for an off-season in Spain with Kirk Tufuga, has re-committed for next year alongside the likes of Phil Bradford, Blair Rush, William Feeney, Nick Murray, Tiueti Asi, Faavae Sila, Thomas Watson and Jordan Magner.
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Tufuga remains undecided about 2022 as well as Hamilton Hawks pair Steve Lamont and Chris Ale.
Coleman said Tamani "will still be associated with our club when not picked" for the newly formed Super Rugby outfit.
"It's bittersweet to be honest," Coleman told the Newcastle Herald.
"We're a stepping stone to professional deals. You don't want to lose those players, but success breeds success and we're hoping that happens for us.
"There's definitely a pathway and guys are getting seen if they're good enough."
Coleman was pleased with the arrival of flyhalf Winchester and breakaway Freeman.
"They are great rugby players, but better blokes off the field. They fit that mould in bucket loads and are massive signings for us," he said.
The Wildfires, who were last month given a three-year guarantee to remain in a revamped Shute Shield until the end of 2024, are required to field a minimum two men's grades, colts (under 20s) and women's teams in the Sydney competition.
Earlier this week the club unveiled a NSW Waratahs and Hunter Wildfires Academy, which will be run by experienced coach Hugh Carpenter.
Wildfires president Brett Sutherland said creating a regional "pathway" was vital.
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Josh Callinan
My name is Josh Callinan and I'm a sports journalist at the Newcastle Herald. I started with the newspaper in 2016 after a decade at the Maitland Mercury.
My name is Josh Callinan and I'm a sports journalist at the Newcastle Herald. I started with the newspaper in 2016 after a decade at the Maitland Mercury.
