Sydney University have remarkably scored three second-half tries to come back from a 16-point deficit and win back-to-back titles in the 2019 Shute Shield final. Tom Horton was man of the match.
Final score
Sydney Uni 21
Warringah Rats 16
For the second year in a row, Sydney University and the Warringah Rats will face off in the Shute Shield final. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 3:15pm (AEST).
The Students have been the picture of consistency in the premier domestic competition for the last 24 months, having won the premiership last year and backed it up with a minor premiership this time around, with a chance to go back to back today.
They were dominant throughout the season, and have backed that up throughout the finals campaign with a couple of excellent performances, blasting their way past Manly 47-31 in the first week of finals, then hammering Northern Suburbs 40 points to 7 last weekend.
While their opponents have been the closest thing they have had to consistent competition in the last two years, it’s not hard to see why they come into today’s game as favourites.
Names on the team sheet include Harry Johnson Holmes and Jake Gordon, while the nucleus of the team is solid. The Students are also in grand finals across all four grades today, showing just where they are at in New South Wales rugby.
The Rats will be burning from last year’s loss though on grand final day, and will be hoping a new venue can bring with it a change of fortunes, as the decider moves from North Sydney Oval to Sydney’s new landmark stadium in Parramatta.
They also have extra reason to play strongly today, with Hamish Angus announcing his retirement during the week.
The inspirational club captain has only just got off the medical table to play in the final, and will be pushing through the pain barrier for the club in his final game, so revenge and sending him out a winner will be on the mind for the men from the northern beaches.
Like the students, Warringah had a strong season. They finished third on the table, but won as many games as their grand final opponents, and what’s more, proved beyond all reasonable doubt they could handle the pressure last weekend, getting past Eastwood 22-15 in a thrilling semi-final.
Prediction
There is a reason the students are favourites for the final. They have been the top team, a picture of consistency, and should take the grandest prize in New South Wales state rugby again.
Sydney University by 6.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of the 2019 Shute Shield final from 3:15pm (AEST) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Kick-off: 3:15pm (AEST)
Venue: Bankwest Stadium, Parramatta
TV: Live, 7TWO (NSW only)
Online: Live, Plus 7 (NSW only)
Betting: Sydney University $1.38, Warringah $3.15
Sydney University
1 Harry Johnson Holmes, 2 Declan Moore, 3 Chris Talakai, 4 Lachlan Swinton, 5 David McDuling, 6 Nick Champion de Crespigny, 7 Josh Kemeny, 8 Rohan O’Regan, 9 Jake Gordon, 10 Ben Hughes, 11 James Kane, 12 Guy Porter, 13 James Dargaville, 14 Harry Potter, 15 Tim Clements
Bench: TBC
Warringah
1 Rory O’Connor, 2 Robert Kelly, 3 Faavae Sila, 4 Matt Foulds, 5 Sam Thomson, 6 Ru MacKenzie, 7 Boyd Killingworth, 8 Sam Ward, 9 Josh Holmes, 10 Hamish Angus (C), 11 Harry Jones, 12 Tyson Davis, 13 Ben Woollett, 14 Benny Marr, 15 Liam Windon.
Bench: 16 Wes Thomas, 17 Austin Faamausili, 18 Sam Needs, 19 Max Girdler, 20 Luke Reimer, 21 Harry Brown, 22 Harley Attwater, 23 Tom Connor
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
We lost a few to those Randwick bastards Carlos. I recall being Campese’d more than once. I don’t think we played a GF against a Randwick side with the Ella’s but will accept correction
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Equalisation is a must. When Israel Folau signed on at Uni it screamed problem. Guys contracted to RA need to play and coach and spend time at clubs in the West initially and then make their way to Parramatta Road from all corners
Double Agent
Guest
Agree 100%
Double Agent
Guest
Peter - "Are you some sort of big-hat Texan? Seems so, given that the Shute Shield is clearly the centre of your universe." A truly bizarre comment.
LBJ
Roar Rookie
I’m not offering an apology - so we’re in agreement there. What I want is to see rugby grow and develop Across Australia - the west of Sydney is where I’m from and where there is incredible potential. But the only way that is going to happen is through the SS being strong (agree on distribution of talent - but it’s tricky) - ‘Deep roots, broad wings’. And that means SS is the third tier in NSW. But the ARU are solely aligned and are addicted to their revenue streams from their professional competitions- all of which are performing very poorly. So like all bad managers (not to be confused with bad people) they want absolute control of all aspects of high standard rugby - anything else is a threat to be squashed. So SS is a threat because it’s successful and much loved and developing junior talent -all the things they want to be able to do but are failing at, despite being a completely amateur organisation. Perhaps it’s humiliating for them, I don’t know, but destroying it for the NRC is probably the dumbest response possible.
Peter
Guest
PS: I didn’t mention the ARU once in my first comment, yet you saw fit to assert, twice, that I “put the ARU on a pedestal” and so forth. No, no, it’s OK, no apology needed.
Peter
Guest
Actually I have no time for the ARU as presently constituted. Needs a thorough cleanout. I do strenuously object to the view that the only thing that matters below the Wallabies is the Shute Shield, and perhaps the Waratahs, although given the current Wallabies’ coach’s record, you should be very happy to have him - or perhaps anyone who has coached Randwick - pretty much a guarantee for LOTS of Shute Shield players to go national. And no I don’t believe for a minute that all you want is to be left alone, etc - what you really want is complete domination and control of the sub-national scene.
concerned supporter
Roar Rookie
While I agree with most of what you say LBJ there needs to be a proper & concerted effort to ressurect Rugby in Sydney's West.Too many forfeits in Colts,West Harbour,Parramatta, & Penrith. Equalization of clubs is a must.
LBJ
Roar Rookie
No need to throw insults pal. But not surprising - that seems to be the general response to anyone who opposes the absolute power of the ARU and it’s vanity projects. Perhaps you are benefiting from them? Interesting observation about UK rugby as their game is thriving at all levels. Meanwhile the Australian game appears to be on life support - I’m sure it’s not perfect, but the UK are definitely doing vastly better than we are. You seem to put the ARU on a pedestal - but I don’t see it. As one of the club directors at my kids minis put it to me yesterday - “if the ARU didn’t exist tomorrow, I don’t think our club would even notice - except that we wouldn’t have to pay them a fee anymore.” That’s a pretty damning assessment of the governing body from someone who is at the coal face. NSW and Sydney rugby isn’t asking for anything from anyone - other than to not be white-anted - we just want to be able to build and grow to the best of our ability. The NRC actively seeks to destroy our growth prospects and the ARU actively seeks to kill the competition. And no. I don’t respect that.
Peter
Guest
Are you some sort of big-hat Texan? Seems so, given that the Shute Shield is clearly the centre of your universe. Perhaps you would like a “system” like England’s, where the National union and coach have to crawl to the clubs begging for players to be released to play for their country. Of course, the fact that 13of 14 clubs are money-losing tax write-offs for Middle Eastern billionaires is probably irrelevant to you. After all, shouldn’t every player in Australia, down to the U7s in the Northern Territory, be paying to support the Lords of the Universe AKA the FOSU? Garbage on your part.
rebel
Roar Guru
Terrible miss by the ref on this.
LBJ
Roar Rookie
Terrific game - gutted for the Rats, but it’s an 80 minute game... And a fitting finale for a great Shute Shield season - really highlights the potential of this competition and makes the best way forward completely clear. Unfortunately it’s also clear that supporters of rugby in Sydney are on our own. There are nothing but obstacles put in our way as we try to grow our game. It’s obvious there is determination at the ARU and across the Australian landscape to kill the Shute Shield competition dead as it is seen as a threat to their own vanity projects - particularly the NRC. Thankfully it will be shot dead by Fox this year.
Micki
Guest
It was a disgrace. He gave it to uni on a platter. Penalty try my arse. Yellow card my arse. That was it. Game over.
Carlos the Argie
Roar Guru
My brother played many years ago for Warringah! I think he even played at the same time with Topo Rodriguez. Rod MacQueen was his coach. I remember him telling me he played a final but I cannot recall which year. Maybe against the Ella brothers?
Alviny
Roar Rookie
must be time to bring a Wallaby Uni.?
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Disappointing second half after such a great first 40. Ref levelled up the game with strange decisions. A man of the match performance from the whistle blower.
Josh
Expert
Full time University win! Back-to-back titles for the Students. Remarkable with three tries in the second half. Amazing match. Sydney Uni 21 Warringah Rats 16
Dingo McNumbat
Roar Rookie
Do they not penalise deliberate knock-downs in the Shute Shield? That would have been a yellow card any day of the week any other game.
Josh
Expert
78' James Kane goes for goal and isn't able to secure it. That means the Rats still have a chance... Sydney Uni 21 Warringah Rats 16
Josh
Expert
76' Warringah pushing, pushing hard for that breakthrough to get back the lead. But it hasn't come yet, and they're running out of time. Sydney Uni 21 Warringah Rats 16