The Shute Shield grand final is shaping as the ultimate pre-season for Greater Sydney Rams squad members, with feeder clubs Eastwood and Southern Districts facing off at Concord Oval, this Saturday afternoon.
Upwards of 20 contracted players will run out for the two sides, onto what is also the Rams training base.
As well as players, both of head coach Brian Melrose’s assistants, John Manenti and Stu Woodhouse, share the coaching duties for the ‘Woodies’, while a number of Eastwood’s medical staff are also a part of the Rams family for the inaugural National Rugby Championship.
Across the board, there are so many match-ups that will go a long way toward forming Melrose’s thoughts around selections for his opening XV to take on NSW Country Eagles, at Coogee Oval on August 23.
Up front, young Waratahs and Eastwood hooker Hugh Roach will go up against Souths’ Maile Ngauamo, with both players eyeing off the Rams No.2 jersey.
The battle of the backrow will be worth the price of admission alone, with Eastwood’s Michael Kovacic, skipper Hugh Perrett, and Pat Sio set for a ding-dong battle against Souths’ blindside flanker Marcus Carbone, and No.8 and captain, Jed Holloway.
On the two skippers, Melrose and the Rams have a couple of wonderful leaders at their disposal, with Perrett’s experience at both Shute Shield and Super Rugby level speaking for itself, while Holloway is already in the Waratahs set-up as one of the genuine young flanker/lock prospects. Holloway’s versatility and ability to play second or backrow is sure to be a major bonus for both player and selectors.
Steering the respective backlines around will be two guys with the Rams’ No.10 jersey in their sights, Eastwood flyhalf Jai Ayoub, and Souths’ Ben Volavola.
Ayoub was the spark in so much of the Woodies’ attack and counter-attack in the semi-final against Manly on Saturday, while Volavola’s composure with the boot was on show at Sydney University No.1 Oval, as he calmly slotted a penalty goal five metres in from touch and more than 40 metres out to sink the Students by two points on Sunday.
In midfield is where it will get really interesting, with both sets of centres in the Rams squad. Four into two obviously doesn’t go, but Eastwood’s Tom Hill and Michael McDougall and Souths’ Apo Latunipulu and Paul Asquith will battle away regardless.
Hill and McDougall both bagged tries last Saturday against Manly – Hill slicing through from close range, and McDougall winning a foot race after a counter-attack from well inside their own half – and shape as major attacking weapons for Eastwood this weekend, and for the Rams thereafter.
Keep a close eye on Eastwood and Rams fullback Ben Batger, too. Despite carrying a leg injury into the semi against Manly, Batger managed to kick a couple of conversions and get the job done, as he’s done so often at this level.
The Shute Shield decider shapes a cracking decider, the perfect lead-in to the first Bledisloe Test on Saturday night (shuttle buses will be available from Concord Oval after the grand final), and onto the NRC the following weekend. May the best Greater Sydney Rams’ feeder club win!
First published on www.ramsrugby.com.au.
The Claw
Guest
Eastwood will definitely win unless Andrew Lees has another man of the match performance for Southern.
Poppy
Guest
Wow, Thanks for the bigoted assumption that I live in Mosman. I don't even live north of the harbour old bean. That makes You twice wrong doesn't it. Hey, at least I'll be reminded of your comments when I view those empty seats on Saturday. A situation alas that for true Rugby supporters is not to be envied.
Geemacaitch
Guest
There was probably no advantage at that time; but, that is an entirely different point. That is a point out administration and the question of the decision of a university body paying (in kind or otherwise) players to play for a club under the auspice of the SU Sports Union. Simply because Uni didn't take advantage of their immense financial power prior to 1998 doesn't mean that they haven't exploited it to the detriment of the rest of the competition since that time and especially since 2004, much like Randwick exerted a different type of power during their period of dominance. The point I raised was that I don't recall the public's reaction to Randwick's dominance being as vociferous as it has been about Uni's. 6 out of 7 in the competitions' grand final and they only didn't have 7 out 7 due to a kick after the final bell on the sideline 40 metres out!
Red Son
Guest
Must also be remembered that between 1973 and 2000, Sydney Uni won zip, zero, nothing (nigh on 30 years) and were relegated to Second Division twice. Where was the advantage of being a club associated with a University in those days? Mind you they do have 6 out of 7 teams in grand finals next Saturday. .
Geemacaitch
Guest
I feel like my team has made the grand final (although they haven't), simply because Uni has not. It is funny, everyone (me included) is fed up with the competition because Uni has been in 9 consecutive grand finals, winning 8 of them. I have been vocal in my condemnation that Uni has ruined the competition, which is fuelled in great part by frustration at the uneven playing field that is created by a very strong body in what is essentially a predominantly amateur competition. It is worth noting in comparison, however, that between 1977 and 1992 Randwick played in 16 consecutive grand finals, winning 12 of them. Whilst people may have been frustrated at that time by Randwick's unparalleled ability to get all the good players, I don't recall the outcry about their success that I have experienced with Uni's dominance.
simmo green
Guest
Beacuse North Sydney is an Oval, because North Sydney is too close to Mosman, because North Sydney has difficult parking, because North Sydney isn't a short drive or enthusiastic walk to Homebush, because (and I know this may come as a revelation), there is a Rugby 'community' that exists on the other side of the Anzac Bridge. Put a pastel polo shirt on and go down to Mosman Rowers, you'll fit right in
peeeko
Guest
almost as happy that uni are not there as i am that souths are
paul craggie
Guest
The Bledisloe changes the situation somewhat but why don't they play the grand final at North Sydney Oval. For years now they have waisted this opportunity. Once upon a time they got 20 k at Moore Park and the grand final was an opportunity for the entire Rugby community to get together. Whilst it promises to be a cracking game that sense of occasion has been lost in the broader community and the Rugby Authorities only have themselves to blame. Go the Woodies.