Rugby union: Wildfires coach praised tenacity but laments poor execution in loss to Norths

Week after week they give as good as they get in the physicality stakes.

It was similar story in a brutal contest with Shute Shield contenders Northern Suburbs at Bon Andrews Oval on Saturday.

The Shoreman finished in front on the scoreboard 50-10, but lost skipper and proud Novocastrian Nick Palmer to a head knock and four front-rowers, forcing them to request uncontested scrums for the final 10 minutes.

The casualty ward also included Wildfires hooker Steve Lamont who was knocked out - and given a yellow card - when he miss-timed a challenge for a kick-off.

The Wildfires bruise in defence, but where they have fallen down is with the ball.

"In games when the opposition dominate possession, when we get the ball, we panic," Coleman said. "If you are not getting much ball, you have to cherish it. If you don't, they are going to put you under a lot of pressure. They strangled us in the first 20 minutes. We couldn't get out of our own end.

"I can't be too harsh because we competed for 80 minutes. Down 50-10, a lot of teams would give up when you are defending your own line, but we held them out for 10 phases."

Norths' opening three tries came directly from Wildfires mistakes as they went to the break leading 22-3.

Giant Norths centre Nathan Russell, who was outstanding, crossed five minutes into the second half and Angus Sinclair finished off a 70-metre counter attack as the margin ballooned to 36-3.

READ MORE: NORTHS SKIPPER ON ALERT FOR OLD TEAMMATES

But the visitors refused to fold. They kept slugging away and were rewarded when replacement Carl Manu rushed to the short side and threw a cut-out pass for No.8 George Noa to crash over in the left corner.

Noa, starting his first game since arriving from Melbourne, constantly carted the ball forward and was strong from the back of the scrum. He just shaded centre Taulogo Lalaga, who returned from a hamstring injury, and debutant prop Dave Waller.

"Dave Waller was immense for his first-grade debut," Coleman said. "We are definitely improving. Our scrum and lineout have definitely improved. We put a lot of time into that which has taken time away from out attack and kick-off receives."

Lamont was in good spirits after the game but Coleman said they would take every precaution with him.

Next for the Wildfires is a visit by undefeated leaders Gordon, who are coached by Coleman's older brother Darren.

"They are already booked into the Travelodge for their pre-game meeting," the Wildfires coach said.

"They are coming up here to win."

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