Maitland Blacks fullback Josh McCormack has joined Anderson Medal-winning teammate Nick Davidson in the Emerging Wildfires squad.
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McCormack and Davidson both played in the Wildfires’ first game, a 45-23 loss to National Rugby Competition development side Sydney Galaxy, at Leichhardt Oval on Friday night.
Wanderers winger Bill Coffey scored a hat-trick for Newcastle, which put the Wildfires into an early lead, but it wasn’t enough to beat the Stars.
Sydney led 29-10 at the break and ran out 22-point victors over the visitors.
The Wildfires next fixture will be against the Emerging Vikings in Canberra on Saturday, followed by a hit out with the Southern Rams Barbarians at Gateshead a week later and wrapping up with a charity clash verses the Australian Barbarians at No.2 Sportsground on October 24.
The Emerging Wildfires are part of a newly formed semi-professional program consisting of players, coaches, managers, medical staff and officials drawn from the entire Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union competition.
The original Newcastle Wildfires identity was born 21 years ago with a team in the Sydney competition from 1995 to 1999.
Now, both senior and junior representative sides from the region still carry the name.
Former Wildfires representative, NSW Country skipper and Blacks captain Darren Dimmock is a manager of the squad alongside Singleton’s Anthony Partridge.
Former Wanderers mentor and Melbourne Rebels assistant Todd Louden is head coach of the Emerging Wildfires.
Former Maitland winger Dillon Rowney is one of four coaches.
Colts players from various clubs will continue to be invited to join the Wildfires squad at selected training sessions.
In other representative news, Maitland Blacks pair Josh Gray and Shaun Connolly are on assignment in England for the International Defence Rugby World Cup.
They made the Australian Services squad following their performances for army at national championships earlier this year.
Australia has been pitted against France and the English army for the preliminary rounds with matches starting on Thursday.
The finals phase begins on October 19, with a decider at The Stoop, home of Harlequins FC, on October 29.
Meanwhile, injured Maitland Blacks player Dom Punch has publicly thanked those organising fundraising for him.
More than two weeks after dislocating his C5 and C6 vertebrae in the last scrum of this year’s second grade rugby union grand final, Punch’s family posted a message to Facebook on behalf of Dom.
The 27-year-old remains in intensive care at Sydney’s Royal North Shore Hospital and his long-term prognosis is unknown.
“So far I’ve been in intensive care for two weeks,” Dom said.
“I have been making progress, but know that the road ahead will be challenging.
“Thank you again to everyone for all your texts, calls and Facebook messages.
“It’s overwhelming to realise how much love and support has been sent my way.
“It’s been very humbling to find out people have been working on raising funds for me – especially at the Maitland Rugby Club and The George Tavern Green Hills.
“It means a lot to know that so many are thinking about me. Thank you.”
Up to 700 people are expected to attend a Mike Hussey sportsman’s lunch at Marcellin Park on Sunday, October 18.