Hunter Rugby Union: Hamilton Hawks' sixth title tilt hit by body blow to key men Billy Clay and Seva Rokobaro

Fly-half Billy Clay had surgery last week to repair a badly severed thumb he sustained in a work accident and won't play again this season.

Giant lock Seva Rokobaro also went under the knife after re-tearing the ear he had surgically repaired in early June. The Fijian had 30-odd stitches after almost ripping his ear off at the country championships.

In an almost identical incident, his ear was heavily lacerated attempting a tackle against University on Saturday.

Paul Dan shifted to fly-half against the Students, with Nick Watson, who started the season with the Wildfires, slotting in at halfback.

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** So much for a 30-minute cameo. Carl Manu played 80 minutes in his comeback game for Uni against Hamilton and showed he has lost none of his class or energy.

** Hunter trio Vili Pifeleti (Wanderers), Aiden Procopis (Maitland) and Coby Wetini (Maitland) are in the NSW Country Colts (under-19s) side playing a two-game series against Queensland Country this week.

** The decision by Hunter Wildfires women's breakaway Kayla Waldron to travel to Ireland for a trial has reaped rewards. Waldron earned selection in the national team to play two tests in Japan on August 20 and 27.

** Hunter Wildfires took every precaution against Manly on Saturday. Manly Oval was a cross between a pigsty and a cow paddock and the Fires physio insisted that every player had their ankles strapped to prevent injury.

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