Newcastle rugby: Hamilton tackle Wanderers in shot at historic fifth straight premiership

It has been 150 years since the Volunteer Artillery played United Cricket Club at Centennial Park in the first game of rugby in Newcastle.

In that time, The Waratahs, led by Wallaby legend Cyril Burke, are the only other side to win four straight titles, dominating from 1950 to '53.

Coleman, who has guided the Hawks to the last four premierships and seven in total, is adamant that Saturday shapes as their biggest challenge.

"It will be a massive test, but I know the guys are ready for it," Coleman said. "You have to play to the best of your ability. You have to be ticking 85 to 90 per cent success rate with your scrum, lineout, carries, tackles ... everything to win a grand final. We have only produced that three or so times this year over 80 minutes.

"The two teams finished first and second on the ladder and we certainly aren't taking Wanderers lightly."

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In a boost for the Hawks, on-the-ball breakaway Tiueti Asi will pack down at openside after his departure to Spain was delayed.

"Having him available is great for us," Coleman said. "He is a big-game player."

Asi is one of nine survivors from the side which accounted for Maitland 20-12 in last year's decider and was also instrumental in the 2015 and 2016 title wins.

Captain Steve Lamont, lock Joe Akkersdyk, prop Peter Bakarich and backs Sireli Bainvalu and Fiso Vasegote have been involved in the past four.

"It (five straight premierships) really hasn't been spoken about that much," Lamont said. "It is something that is in the back of the mind ,but you don't want to add that pressure to the preparation. It is as hard enough as it is."

Wanderers' rise has been storybook stuff. Fifth in 2018, the Two Blues were scratching around for players in the pre-season. But under the direction of new coach Dan Beckett, who led the club to a premiership in 2009 during his first stint in charge, they have thrived on a game modelled on pace, power and purpose.

"All the pressure is on Hamilton with them going for five in a row," said Wanderers captain Ben Ham, who returns after missing the 50-28 win over Maitland in the preliminary final due to yellow card accumulation. "They have been favourites since day dot. Everyone wrote us off at the start of the year but we have really come together well. We had a couple of good Pommies come over and have a good mix of youth and a few old heads. Dan has done a great job of bringing us together as a group."

Beckett, despite the loss of lineout general Ignacio Battilana (calf), is confident of completing the fairytale.

"It has been a season in which we have kept growing and learning about each other," he said. "I don't have anything other than complete faith in the team. It's a good feeling to have as a coach.".

Runaway minor premiers, Hamilton's only blemish to date was a 24-12 loss to Wanderers in round four at No.2 Sportsground.

They restored order with a commanding 40-29 win in the final round to take the Hawthorne Cup and double-downed with a 34-19 triumph in the major semi-final.

"The first half in the major semi-final was brilliant," Coleman said. "That's the blue print. We had blokes coming out of the line and putting shots on, our scrum was dominant ... tat is what we will be asking for again."

Wanderers were without Dan Kevill in the final round and Ham in the major semi-final.

"I made the decision to make Hammy captain 60 seconds after I got the job," Beckett said. "I was looking for the captain to model what Ii wanted to see in the team. We needed someone who was all heart. After the major semi, I was asked if Ben Ham was worth 15 points. I think he is . He is the best player in the competition. I don't have any doubts about what's between the ears and what's between the chest of the boys."

Ham is confident their won't be a repeat of the errors from the major semi.

"You learn a lot more from a loss than a win," he said. "Hopefully we correct the things that went wrong a fortnight ago... and there were a few. If we can do that and win our set piece, our backs can do a lot of damage."

Three of Hamilton's four straight grand-final victories have been at the expense of the Two Blues.

"The young boys don't carry that luggage," Ham said. "They have a lot of excitement and are keen to rip in. There are also five or six of us who have been stung a few times and want to get that win."