Not too many saw an Eastwood versus Southern Districts grand final coming in this year’s Shute Shield.
Not too many Greater Sydney Rams coaches saw it coming, either, but John Manenti, Eastwood coach and Rams assistant coach, says the two teams facing off will justify the Rams squad selections.
“It will make it harder to pick the final side, though,” Manenti told Rams Rugby this week.
“In some circles and on social media, there had been some suggestion that the team didn’t have a balance of players, and obviously that was before either team went through the Finals as successfully as they have.
“I think it’s fair to say we won’t always get it right – no group of selectors is always right – but we’re reasonably close, and that’s a good thing.”
Two teams in the club rugby grand final – particularly too clubs providing the bulk of the Rams squad, as Eastwood and Souths have done – does present some challenges for Greater Sydney’s new rugby side, however.
“From a preparation point, it’s obviously not ideal,” Manenti said. “NSW Country are having camps this week, and we play them next Saturday in the first game, and none of their teams are alive, but that’s part of the territory and we’ll get on with the job as required.”
Manenti admits that after Souths pipped Eastwood by two points in the qualifying final, he thought the chances of meeting them again were slim.
“Until last weekend, I didn’t think it was on the cards. The plan was obviously to beat them a few weeks ago, and that would’ve been the end of them. But they won that day (38-36, at TG Milner), and then had an improved performance again against Uni (in the Semi-Final, last Sunday, winning 27-25 at Sydney Uni No.1), and to go through that way, beating Eastwood at Eastwood and Uni at Uni is a credit to them.”
Rams Chairman Greg Dyer wished both teams the best of luck for the grand final at the Rams’ NRC launch on Wednesday night in Parramatta, but added that he hoped they also don’t go too hard on each other, knowing they’ll come together as Rams from Monday.
Manenti admits it’s a strange scenario.
“I suppose I liken it to the Waratahs playing against the other Australian sides in the lead-up to the June Tests, and then the Brumbies straight after it, but in the middle of it they played together for Australia. Obviously these guys (in the Rams squad) aren’t at that professional level yet – some are, of course – and they’re used to playing against guys regularly, but now they come together in that next level team.
“So it’s like what the Super Rugby boys go through, just not quite in the same grandiose fashion.”
Souths’ skipper and No.8, and potential Rams Captain, Jed Holloway, shapes as the main danger for Eastwood, according to Manenti.
“His game against us two weeks ago was probably the best game he’s had this year. He will again be the thrust of their forward pack, and the guys play around him really well. And they’ll do the same thing when they’ve got a Rams jersey on.”
First published on www.ramsrugby.com.au
Midfielder
Guest
Come on Woodies...
In Brief
Guest
and pigs may fly
Squirrel
Guest
The correlation is striking and you just had players like Kearns Knox playing 2nd grade and playing wallabies. Also having the Waratahs playing in the comp improved all players around them. How long 12 years no bledisloe and not looked close of getting a Rwcup since2003. No correlation is head in the sand stuff and keep wondering why the wallabies can't get a decent tight 5 and why we will let the darkness just do the bare minimum to wrap up this Years bledisloe. ROARERS can't blame Deans no more but can blame the deterioration of grassroots and the link between schools and rep honours ieThe Shute shield.
Bakkies
Guest
Are you thick? The ARU doesn't expect them to contribute if they don't have it. Brisbane and the ACT clubs (bar Tuggers) aren't contributing a dime.
Bakkies
Guest
Do you think you will be able to get a decent crowd at Parramatta Stadium? It was way too big in the ARC. Is there a 12,000 seater that you could of used?
Bakkies
Guest
Aus in Ireland.
Bakkies
Guest
Wallabies don't play Shute Shield so you can't use that argument. In 1991 you could play club Rugby all year. It will never go back to that so get over it. Most of the strong talent is now from Queensland.
Greater Sydney Rams
Roar Rookie
Actually its not the dullest question I have been asked today, so all good. Our two interstate games (Brisbane and Adelaide) will involve one night away for the team. The BrisVegas game is scheduled for a Thursday night and Adelaide is probably a stretch to play in the afternoon and travel home. So thats the logic part, the fun part is that it gives many of the players without Super Rugby and Wallaby experience the opportunity to travel and play and head out as a team - a glimpse of the pathway if you will. Where Adelaide is concerned, few in Rugby circles will have ever played there, so its certainly a point of difference.
Squirrel
Guest
Why waste precious club resources on a suspect competition that the ARU expects the Shute shield clubs to carry the burden
jeznez
Roar Guru
With jokes like that you should be in hiding, go on the run, perhaps even on the lamb.
Mike
Guest
True, however don't forget there were also many, many more years when the Wallabies didn't win any silverware, despite the Shute Shield being strong. You will be hard pressed to prove any correlation between strength of the Shute Shield and the Wallabies, given that even those golden years were few and far between.
boomeranga
Guest
GSR, if I may ask the dullest question of the day - when the team goes interstate, how long will they be away for? I'd imagine that part of this exercise will be one of the biggest expenses for the teams, so wondering if head out on a Friday night and back on Sunday, or will they be tempted to the Saturday in and out dash.
boomeranga
Guest
Bakkies, are you an Irishman in Australia, or an Australian in Ireland, or an Australian in Australia or and Irishman in Ireland? You seem to know a fair whack about both here and there.
boomeranga
Guest
I think he may have spent a fair bit of time training wth the Waratahs NextGen team earlier this year as well. He looked a lot fitter.
Atawhai Drive
Roar Guru
Ovine an old cynic needs a team to support, GSR.
Rebel
Guest
If that was the case then he would have pulled the players and coaches as well as the financial support, which is minimal. I hope they do come back on board soon as I like them as a club. Can't wait for a cracking final against them tomorrow. Go the rebels.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Yeah - Looks like Metch is missing the GF but he is a very good TH - didn't let the Country side down when they faced the Lions last year.
nmpcart
Guest
Brisbane City are playing at Ballymore which is where the Reds and Brisbane Roar (A-League team) train - very good surface.
Magic Sponge
Guest
Maybe Brett Papworth knows a bit more about rugby than roarers and would rather to build club rugby than take the risk of the NRC. I think he has plenty of experience at all levels and is a very decent person who i have met a few times.
Greater Sydney Rams
Roar Rookie
See you there. Have you seen our new promo video, it's pretty cool: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tudQLv6tXeo. Season passes are online too, they are the best value as they are 4 for the price of 3 - good mates packs too.