With one round remaining in the Shute Shield, Sydney’s premier club rugby competition, it is a good time to look at the teams who will make up the finals, the up and coming players, and speculate on who will win.
1. Eastwood (84 points): Led by the experienced Hugh Perrett the Woodies secured the minor premiership with an impressive 95-10 against a victoryless Parramatta last weekend. Their final round clash with Souths will give a clear indication whether or not their form is good enough to go all the way in 2010.
Standouts have been 21-year-old forwards Lachie McCaffery and Damian Fitzpatrick who are expected to have large impacts for the Waratahs in next year’s Super 15.
2. Souths (78): The Shute Shield’s finals structure offers not only a week off for the top two but also the avoidance of an elimination playoff.
To gain a top two spot, Souths would have to overcome Eastwood at home. Victory or not, Souths have a big forward pack capable of taking them deep into the finals including ex-Wallabies Radike Samo and Nic Henderson as well as Waratahs Kane Douglas and Dan Palmer.
3. Manly (78): Manly play Randwick in the most important match of the final round. Pending other results, a win could find Manly placing second and enjoying a week off but a loss could result in fourth and an elimination playoff against the in-form Sydney Uni. Under coach Phil Blake, Manly have played consistently well without representative players. Their premiership chances depend on their final ladder position.
4. Easts (73): Under new coach Lachlan Fear, Easts have been one of the best but inconsistent teams. Easts have scored the most tries in the competition thanks to inform wingers Anton La Vin and 19-year-old Damon Anderson. Brumbies pair Toomua and Huia Edmonds give Easts as good a chance as any of winning the competition. The comprehensive loss to Uni has dented their finals momentum.
5. Sydney Uni (70): Awaiting the return of many rep players, the reigning premiers languished near the bottom of the table during the first half of the season. Since then view. Uni have recorded nine straight victories and are now seen by many as premiership favourites. Their highly impressive win against Easts on the weekend has confirmed this
Uni’s Super 15 standard backrow of McCutcheon, Davidson and Dennis set the platform for their young and exciting backline. The return of ex-Wallabies Julian Huxley and Phil Waugh will bolster their finals chances.
6. Randwick (61): Securing their finals place with a hard-fought win against Gordon, Randwick will have to do it the hard way to have any chance of appearing in the Grand Final. However the return of in-form Wallabies Kurtley Beale, Drew Mitchell and Mark Chisholm for the finals will bolster their chances.
Although other teams will argue their chances, I can’t go past an Eastwood vs. Sydney Uni final. Uni have won the past three premierships.
The question remains: can anyone beat them in 2010?
Big Steve
Guest
As a uni fan I feel i am placed in a difficult position were any comment will result in a barrage of hate from most. Which can be good fun but gets a little repetative. I think uni will win again. The come back try they scored in the forwards against Gordon after letting in three consecutive tries was simular to the dominance we have seen the last few years. If Easts put it together when it counts they could beat anyone. Uni's biggest problem is sorting out combinations with all the players they have in both the pack and the backs. Mitchell, inman, mafi, betham, huxley and trist need to fit in 4 positions. Then Barnes Kelly and Carter into 2. While this looks like a good position the lack of combinations may cause them some problems. Go Uni! (Unleash the fury Roarers)
Mals
Guest
Go the Mighty Woods!!! Those magnificent players from Eastwood are here Playing their rugby & drinking their beer..... Woods, Woods, Woods!!!!
RickG
Guest
I disagree, I think the quality has been good and more importantly there are more teams with good players winning games (eg Easts, Manly, Souths). The signs of improvement at the foot of the mountains are encouraging, but Parra remains the big worry. Eastwood have literally dragged themselves back from the brink despite the appearance of being a constant success over the last decade, so it's great to see them gen the minor premiership.
Working Class Rugger
Guest
Uni will win once again. Is it good for the competition. No. But is more than likely the reality to come. Pretty disappointing season from my perspective. The overall quality doesn't seem to be there. It could because of the revival of the game at the professional level or that the Wicks have been very,very poor this year yet appear destined to make the finals regardless.
JoshF
Roar Rookie
Louisa, based on player reputation you are likely to be right. However this has been the most competitive and unpredictable seasons in recent history. I believe Easts have an excellent chance of beating Uni. On the day of last week's game fly half Matt Toomua was ruled out and the backline was unable to click. And the fact is no one wins in the wet at University Oval. On neutral ground, with Toomua, Matt Hodgson and Pat Dellet (a name to watch who has been one of the competitions best players and recently signed with the Rebels) returning I think this is shaping up to be the game of the year. Although Woodies fans will argue I feel the premiership may well be decided in a little over a week.
Louisa
Guest
Just saw Rockin rod had the same views but i will past this anyway. The way the table will look after round 22: 1. Eastwood (Eastwood are playing Souths and I can’t see Souths on the fact the Eastwood Backline is to strong with Turner and Stannard are back in the mix) 2. Manly (Manly play Randwick, this is one Manly will win. Randwick are still undermanned and will not be able to overpower the Marlins) 3. Souths (A win Against Eastwood with a bonus point will put them into 2nd) 4. Easts (Easts are playing Norths, Easts will win) 5. Uni (Uni play Penrith Uni and East’s are already locked into a semi final Against East’s no matter what the result) 6. Randwick (Even a win will no change their position on the table) So three play six and four play five! Semi final week 1 Saturday’s game at Coogee will be Manly and Randwick no depending on the players Randwick get back from Rep Duties it could be a completely Different result to their match they played the week before. Sunday’s game at T.G Milner will be between Uni and Easts, Uni will not loose this one and will have players on the bench like Berrick Barnes and Luke Burgess. Which brings me to my point, the sad fact is that Eastwood will most likely draw Uni in the major semi at Woollahra on Saturday. This means that one of the form teams of the finals will not play in the Grand final. So all those well wishers that think Uni and Eastwood are going to be in the grand final will most likely be wrong. I hope that won’t happen but that is how it is shaping up.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
Carn the Mighty Woods! (woods, woods, woods, woods, woods)
RickG
Guest
Seems to be a lot of love for the Woodies here. Maybe a Roar get-together at the GF is on the cards:) Aren't there fans from other contenders on here? C'mon, show yourselves!
Rockin Rod
Guest
Van Humphries wanted to come and play for the Woodies (his old club) to improve his chances of being selected on the Spring Tour but the Reds knocked it on the head. His team Souths were finished, he should have been allowed to play. Cosidering how badly our locks are going in the national squad he would have had an opportunity to shine, like Dave Dennis did last year in the Shute Shield. Anyway up the Woodies, woods,woods,woods
RickG
Guest
It's a shame the woodies will be cruelled by losing a couple of key players to the Cth games. Do they have a choice? I guess they'd go regardless and India isn't somewhere you'd find yourself going on a typical rugby tour.
Pablo
Guest
Always good to see an article for the true believers... Shute Shield fans. So who will win? One way to come up with an answer is to ask 'who can't win?' Firstly, I don't think Randwick can win this year. They have been beaten consistently by the teams above them, including 2 very comprehensive thrashings by Eastwood. Even though Southern could have the first week off, and despite their early season form, they have been found wanting against quality opposition. Manly, too, seemed to have dropped their bundle since Eastwood beat them, and without D'Arcy, I reckon they may struggle in the finals. Which leaves Eastwood, Easts and Uni. The Woods have touched up Easts twice this year, but Easts none-the-less have a pretty good team, with Edmonds,To'ouma, Shephardson, Kimlin, De Bartolo et al. Despite being beaten thoroughly by Eastwood twice this year and by Uni as well, I reckon they have the talent to provide an upset. Eastwood, who, with Uni, have been one of the great club sides over the past decade, often succeed (or not!) with 'one hand tied behind its back'. Indeed, this year, if they reach the grand final, they would be without Turner, Stannard, possibly Robinson (depending on whether Deans allows him to play) and maybe Hand, who is injured. It is also interesting to note that last year, both David Pocock and James O'Connor were registered to play for the Woodies but didn't get a start. Uni, on the other hand, are blessed with talent, who always seem to be able to front up when the business needs to be done, witness Barnes coming on against the Woods a couple of weeks ago, after which they went from leading comfortably to eventually getting a bit of a hiding. They still stand to gain Mumm, McCalman, Burgess, Barnes in addition to having the likes of Halangahu, Huxley and Waugh. It is hard to see Uni being beaten for the rest of year with this sort of roster. However, my fervent hope is for them to not turn up for the semis and get bundled out in the first week. But that would take a huge effort from whoever they meet. However, what ever happens, the entire country should get their support behind Eastwood and bring them home. GO THE WOODS.
Midfielder
Guest
Woodies ................
Jez
Guest
Re the points rule - it hasn't had much of an effect on uni (or most of the other clubs for that matter) because most of the big name players (in uni's case Mumm, Burgess and McCalman though obviously not Barnes) played colts at the club and have their points significantly downgraded as a result. The same goes for all of the super 14 players - Carter, Halangahu, Dennis, McCutcheon, Charles, Inman, Tilse etc etc. To that end the points rule will probably take a few years to properly come into effect when the effect of the points system on the colts flow through into grade. I'm not sure of the specifics but I'm pretty sure the way it is structured means that no colts team can have more than 1 australian schoolboy in the side which stops the strong clubs getting all of the best schoolboy talent.
RickG
Guest
Thanks Rod, I hadn't looked into it that closely. Re the points rule I haven't heard anything about it, except that it seems to have fizzled and a team like Uni has never had to make any adjustments to its side to fit under the points cap (recall reading that in Rugby News last season). If they do get all those guys back they'll probably win again. yawn.
Rockin Rod
Guest
Unfortunatly it cant be a Woodies v Uni GF. Woods will finish 1st and Uni 4th or 5th so they will end up on the same side of the draw. Woods will have a better side in the semi than in the GF as they Locky Turner and James Stannard are not allowed to play in the GF due to the commonwealth games 7s. Woods will have Beeny A and Ben R to bolster their front row but they already have the best front row in the comp with Dunning, Fitzpatrick and the big improver Western Force prop Longbottom. Uni will get Burgess,Mumm,McCallman and Barnes. With the points rule surely they cant be on the park at the one time. At the end of the day lets hope anyone but Uni wins it for the sake of the competition, which has been outstanding again
RickG
Guest
Great article! First up, Uni have won 5 premierships on the trot. I hate the thought of them getting a sixth; the comp has been so interesting this year as other teams have had their chance to shine (Souths, Easts and even Penrith!) but if they win, well, it's just the same old isn't it? Woodies v Uni GF and I'll be there cheering the Woodies on.