Hugh Perrett - Australian rugby's unsung inspiration

Eastwood backrow- missing in action today. What planet am I on? It's called reality.

Miles went off to Gold Coast or somewhere to go university.

What happend to Miles McCaffrey, he is a gun on the ball #7. If Force let Longbottom, Wykes and Alcock play this weekend, woods could have given it a real good crack, they still will but hard to beat uni with so many stars.

Hugh Perrett usually plays 7. Since they've been putting Roach at 7 he's gone to 6. Roach actually works hard. Hits the rucks and gets stuck in. Perrett is a good footballer no doubt but like most Eastwood forwards is a seagull. The reason the Woods have done so well this year in all four grades is because they've got speed to burn in the backs. Once they make a break it's shut the gate. Agree McCaffery played well last Sat. Agree also that Jarrod Barry has had a good season. The problem with Australian rugby starts from juniors and goes right through. Forwards that make runs and score tries are rewarded by selection in rep teams while players that just get stuck into doing the mundane job of securing possession get overlooked. In NZ it's the opposite. Hence players like Perrett and McCaffery that show moments of brilliance in a game get huge wraps. There was an article on here that pointed out Hooper got to the breakdown first 5% of the Bledisloe match while McCaw got there 22% of the time. Now if Hooper can only manage 5% how do you think Perret and McCaffery would go?

Well said ST. I was at Milner Field Sunday to see the Woodies play Manly. Whole the score looked like a trashing by the Woods, it was quite a physical contest. Manly threw everything at he a Woods pack early, but were met and then turned back with some terrific defense. The Woods forwards were outstanding, none more than their outstanding lock, Jared Barry, an up and comer in Huw Roach and McCaffrey. But, in particular, Hugh Perrett was outstanding. He led strongly, inspired the troops and was all over the field, scoring a great try. Perrett is a class sportsman. He reminds of a time when athletes played for the love of the sport more than the money. A real Club Man. He would be credit to any Rugby franchise.

Double Agent, Agent 13 has just called in from the garbage bin at Millner.... Hugh Perrett plays in No. 6!!!!! You might have missed Hugh cos' he was the one doing all the work and his number was obscured. ("Playing their Rugby and drinking their beer....") RR

I don't know anything about Perrett, and didn't know about his mum, but watching the game I did wish he was 6'4 and 115. He was excellent. All the best to his family at a sad time. He looks like a good guy, so I'd bet she was a good chick.

(Roar Rugby - great to see an article - as short as it is - on club Rugby. Can we get a regular one each week next season?) Double Agent back to the Cone of Silence for you. Hugh Perrett is a champion in every sense of the word. His play over the past 4 or so years shows 100% effort each game. As for your comment about the Eastwood 7's in general... the whole club must have something going for it. Why would they get 7 out of 7 teams (4 grade and 3 colts) to the semi's and 5 of them to the GF without the dawn raid on schools and district juniors the "Students" are infamous for? Heart and desire count for so much more than greed. Credit where credit is due. Sydney Uni have had their win with Tony Abbott. Go the Woodies!!! ("Those magnificent players from Eastwood are here.....") RR

The problem with Perrett is that although he is a good footballer he's not really a very good 7. He's hardly ever first to the breakdown. The same goes for Mccaffery. Talented player but his workrate is miniscule. There's hardly a decent forward in the whole Eastwood club they just rely on speedy backs. Their 7s in every grade spend most of the game standing in the backs. As for Hugh and the Rebels? Fugillaster is miles better. A kiwi that understands hard work is the essence of forward play. Hope the Woods smash Uni though!

Well said! Give him a run on the Wallabies

Hugh is a wonderfull rugby player and an ambassador to the game at SS . Please can the grand final be played with out the verbal abuse from the minority of drunks who seem to come from a minority of clubs The amount of Alchol these idiots consume and the lack of any security by Sydney Rugby Union is a disgrace. The language is so bad i know familys with young children are not going any more to Saturday rugby

Very sorry to hear he had to go through that. Best to him.

There is something deliciously earthy about watching a shute shield semi-final on the abc on sunday arvo. There was a healthy and vocal crowd, honest commentators, a worn out and dusty pitch, and a complete lack of tacky commercialistic hype and froth. Hugh was part of the Melbourne Rebels squad last year but couldn't get a contract. Anyone know why? The final vs uni will be a cracker at Concord Oval. Eastwood have a large amount of followers and you would have to imagine that most neutral fans would be supporting the Woodies.

Rod - ahh bias and blindness from the sidelines again. McCaffrey is a talent but was not good enough to make it past the incumbents this year and that is just fact. Whilst he stands out at Shute Shield for the Marlins, he could not quite break it at the next level.. yet. Nice bloke and trains hard.. his time will come. As for Roach.... so much smoke has been blown around this young lad and he has had trials all over but no takers? any ideas why? Too small for my pick and might need to stop believing his own press until he cracks it. The Tahs gave him a look, his home town Brumbies have passed him over and even the Joke of the Force had a look... he may crack a WTS spot this year but who knows. Please remember that Shute Shield is still only club rugby and how many real step up to the next level... not many

It completely baffles me that a player such as Perrett doesn't have a spot in the wallabies let alone a Super Rugby contract. It's plain to see that he has ticker and that rare leadership quality which inspires other around him to work harder and play better which is why the Woodies have dominated all season. Some of these wallabies are a bunch of overpaid narcissists that seem to only care about themselves and their fame. Bring in work horses like Perrett and watch as they repay your faith in them by playing every second of every minute to the best of their ability and not stopping until the final siren has sounded. Go the Woodies!

Hugh Perrett the most underrated player in Australian rugby. The wallabies could learn a thing or 2 with a player of his calibre.

HOW GOOD IS HUGH PERRETT!!!! i would have him in my 23 for sure at SR level. His work rate both on and off the ball is exceptional, not to mention his leadership qualities which makes the Eastwood pack play for 80 mins every match. Locky McCaffrey is a quality footballer. still has to work on his decision making at times. i would love to see him at a team like the reds or Tahs where he can put his attacking prowess to good use. His work rate is also top notch. i believe he has higher honors around the corner. I'm with RodKnee above.......ANYONE BUT UNI

Agree the WOODS pack totally outplayed the bigger, more experienced Marlins pack. The Force are a joke, why they didnt use McCaffrey in there side this year is beyond me, he bends the line and makes so many attacking opportunities with his ability to offload in the tackle. Perret i would have in any Super Rugby team and the young hooker Hugh Roach playing #7 surely is better than what the Rebels have to offer, open your eyes Super Rugby teams. ANYONE BUT UNI