The Ghost of Raelene
John Eales (66)
Good place to have guys likely involved in the 20s and Super Rugby Aus next year training professionally and playing some forty besides being the 6th Winger in a Super Rugby Squad.
Rugby 7s general chat
- Thread starter Hugh Jarse
- Start date
Would be good if they make Shute shield sides for a starter
Adam84
Tim Horan (67)
Is this comment targeted at the U20s players signed? Why should they have to “make Shute Shield” first, if they already have the talent and are on the trajectory development wise, isn’t that just an arbitrary benchmark to satisfy those clinging to old pathways? The whole point of identifying and fast-tracking talent is to develop them beyond traditional club ceilings, not gatekeep them behind them.
Cool then they won’t have a problem playing Shute and hospital then.
The Ghost of Raelene
John Eales (66)
Sid Harvey just showed he’s up to standard without being a Prem Grade journeyman.
Plenty of the 7s guys turned out in Grade over the past few years. I’m sure some of these guys will as well.
SS and HC are just a place for them to keep playing when available. It won’t make any of these guys superstars. A professional environment will do far more.
Plenty of the 7s guys turned out in Grade over the past few years. I’m sure some of these guys will as well.
SS and HC are just a place for them to keep playing when available. It won’t make any of these guys superstars. A professional environment will do far more.
Haha ok. That’s worked so well for Aussie super sides over the last 10 yrs. So carry on.
WorkingClassRugger
Michael Lynagh (62)
I actually agree with you on this. In so far as I think NSW Rugby should run an U20s team in the Shute Shield as a standalone team.
Adam84
Tim Horan (67)
The argument that players must first prove themselves in Shute Shield before earning a professional deal is an outdated relic of another era. Modern professional sport moves faster than that, Max Jorgensen is an extreme example of this, was signed straight out of school by rugby and had NRL clubs circling also. Played Super Rugby before he played SS and you cant deny his talent.
Other codes aren’t sitting around waiting to satisfy some arbitrary, nostalgic benchmark about “earning it” through club rugby before signing elite young athletes.
Other codes aren’t sitting around waiting to satisfy some arbitrary, nostalgic benchmark about “earning it” through club rugby before signing elite young athletes.
Works if u have the money to warehouse enough players like league otherwise nope. Sure some exceptions but not the rule
Adam84
Tim Horan (67)
It’s only two players though, the rest who are joining the 7s squad for 2025 have played SS equivalent or above. Out of the two who haven’t; Beau Morrison played number 8 for Australia U20s this year, and Bailey Roberts-Lintmeijer is on a development contract out of school.
Bailey is an absolute talent with speed to burn, ran a 10.67 over 100m, he carved it up in Ella 7s, was leading try-scorer in the Roosters Harold Mathews RL team and no doubt on the radar of a few NRL clubs. It’s a smart signing IMO.
The Ghost of Raelene
John Eales (66)
Do you really think not prioritising semi pro but really amateur with benefits Rugby is the reason for Australian Professional sides not winning comps v NZ sides?
Wilson
Tim Horan (67)
This is, quite specifically, some exceptions.