Shute Shield 2010

[Lee Grant]

I think they'll need Frodo and a few Orcs to win that one against the Borg.

 

[#1 Tah]

What a game from the Wicks. Just the composure and confidence they showed when behind was exceptional, that stuff is really missing in Aussie rugby at the moment.

 

[Gnostic]

First thoughts on the game:-

Selala Lam really deserves at least an academy spot. He plays well above his weight and his work rate is simply top class.

Taukeiaho, and Fonokalafi both stood up again against test standard opponents and held their own. Takeiaho in particular deserves a S15 spot in my opinion. He held his own against Robinson, Dunning and then Alexander playing the whole game. It was of particular note to me that he was seen much more in the loose than any of his opponents on top of his tight work.

Last word is that this should be the final year that the tendering process for awarding the game locations should be used. The condition of today's pitch was an absolute disgrace, you would think from that dust bowl that Sydney was still in drought. The only way that the tendering process should be used again is if a clause is including whereby the host must ensure the condition of the ground or the final will be moved to another venue of suitable standard.

 

[fatprop]

Why has the Sydney clubs decided to choose two of the worst pitches for the semi finals? It was a horse paddock today

 

[Lee Grant]

Last word is that this should be the final year that the tendering process for awarding the game locations should be used. The condition of today's pitch was an absolute disgrace, you would think from that dust bowl that Sydney was still in drought.

I have long called Woollahra Oval the Cabbage Patch in ironic contrast with Twickenham because it actually looks like a cabbage patch, though it is without cabbages - or at least I think so.

The tendering process is all about the lolly. If there is any tendering to be done for the semis in the future let it be on the quality of the ground, the parking and the catering.

The Cabbage Patch was an embarrassment to to the NSW union and not worth any lolly they got.

 

[Elfster]

There are some better schoolboy ovals than what was on display today. A bad oval and a raft of bad injuries...not entirely uncorrelated. I thought the state unions only tried to stuff up the ARU with their inter se politics. Now they have moved on by playing games on goat tracks!

 

[naza]

There are some better schoolboy ovals than what was on display today. A bad oval and a raft of bad injuries...not entirely uncorrelated. I thought the state unions only tried to stuff up the ARU with their inter se politics. Now they have moved on by playing games on goat tracks!

And combined with the poor gameplay and lack of intensity, the semi-final looked like total amateur hour compared to the NRL semis and AFL GF. Not a good advertisement for the game.

 

[RugbyFuture]

This proves the eastwood players worth though, the minor premiership and the fact they came that close to beating the star packed Randwick side

 

[wilbur]

... and lack of intensity

ffs what game were you watching?

 

[observer]

I don't think the game lacked intensity. I thought both teams left nothing on the paddock. I felt Eastwood's forwards didn't gel as they have in previous weeks. Bringing Dunning, Robbo and Alexander in and losing their No 8 early didn't help with the team work factor.

I've been disappointed with the form of Robbo since he came back from injury. Scrums well but his work around the paddock - which was a feature of his play - has been lacking.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

And combined with the poor gameplay and lack of intensity, the semi-final looked like total amateur hour compared to the NRL semis and AFL GF. Not a good advertisement for the game.

But they are mostly amateurs aren't they? Better to compare the Shute Shield to the WAFL/SANFL/VFL than the big time pro stuff. Remember that the AFL grand final is the absolute pinnacle of the game in that sport. Sydney first grade is not in rugby.

 

[Gnostic]

This proves the eastwood players worth though, the minor premiership and the fact they came that close to beating the star packed Randwick side

Why so bitter and twisted. Randwick fielded two players that haven't turned out for them regularly in the round games. Elsom and Beale (who in fact played in one previous game). Chisholm had been a fairly regular starter for the Wicks when fit. That balances with Eastwood starting with two first choice Wallaby front rowers.

The fact is that Eastwood was outplayed. They appeared not to have the hunger they showed in previous games and Randwick has stepped up from their round form.

 

[DPK]

Why so bitter and twisted. Randwick fielded two players that haven't turned out for them regularly in the round games. Elsom and Beale (who in fact played in one previous game). Chisholm had been a fairly regular starter for the Wicks when fit. That balances with Eastwood starting with two first choice Wallaby front rowers.

The fact is that Eastwood was outplayed. They appeared not to have the hunger they showed in previous games and Randwick has stepped up from their round form.

I agree with you but BA doesn't balance KB (Kurtley Beale). He's been back for two weeks.

 

[Gnostic]

Agreed but you have to say that the Woodies were beaten in the pigs. It wasn't KB (Kurtley Beale)'s flair that won the day though you could argue that a 51m penalty was a defining moment the pigs set the platform. That is the area where many expected Eastwood to dominate, especially in the scrum and they got parity only there. The lineout was under pressure and Lam was on top at the breakdown. Considering he did the same against Manly last week that backrow efficiency wasn't due to the presence of Elsom.

 

[Gnostic]

I'm going out on a limb a bit and predict a Soutern win today. Jerry to be scrummaged into the ground by the Potplant (thanks FP). Douglas playing for a EOYT position now that Chisholm is injured.

 

[qwerty51]

And combined with the poor gameplay and lack of intensity, the semi-final looked like total amateur hour compared to the NRL semis and AFL GF. Not a good advertisement for the game.

What are you talking about? It is amateur rugby, could be classified as semi-pro as some professionals were playing. It's comparable to the NSW Cup. Have you seen those games?

 

[Gnostic]

I thoroughly enjoyed the game. The field was a disgrace as I said but I thought it was a pretty good game for amateur standards with very good forward play. An elimination game with three lead changes in the last five minutes was pretty riveting, especially since the best team won.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Score update Been shopping and missed the start of Students vs Hobbits.
15 minutes gone
Hobbits 10 Uni 3 . PK just missed by Hobbits #10 Morath.

No 1 Oval looking a bit patchy (particularly around the edges of the cricket square, but nowhere as bad as Woollahra was yesterday.
Sunny and 25 degrees. tackles Hobbits 34 Uni 19. Missed Tackles Hobbits 6 Uni 1.

23 minutes:
PK against Samo Dangerous tackle - kickable 22 out 10 to right of posts. Barnes Kicked it. Score Hobbits 10 - Uni 6. Penalties: Hobbits 3 Uni 4

27 minutes: Another PK to Uni 10 metres out. Hands in Ruck. Poor game by AR's. Missed man in front of Uni PK, and Uni knock on. Barnes has just kicked another 3 pointer. Hobbits 10 Uni 9.
Penalties Hobbits 3 Uni 7.

AR's missed Hobbits in front of kicker at restart.

30 min gone: Referee S Walsh. J Leckie is AR on near side.

Jono Jenkins getting good groud while seagulling out wide.
Hobbits Sub, Henderson off Faulkner on.
Uni pressing attack, Will score soon.

35 minutes: Inman strolling over from 5 metre mark getting close in pass from Barnes. 12 metres to right of Posts. Barnes conversion. Uni 16 Hobbits 10.

37 minutes. Kerr burst down right wing showing great speed. 5 metre scrum to Hobbits on attack.
Jerry YaniYani has gone down with what looks like knee twist. Scrum delayed while Jerry Yani being looked at. Stretcher called.
Tackles Hobbits 66 Uni 28 ; R&M Hobbits 14 Uni 33.

Jerry Y off #16 Paddy Ryan on. Suspected Dislocated ankle for Jerry. Game restart.
Good Scrum by Hobbits. PK awarded to them for Uni collapse. Another scrum taken by hobbits. Collapse. Reset scrum. Penalty to hobbits for Collapse. Walsh warned Uni re collapses (Tilse).
Oranges now. Awesome close in defence by Uni. Eventually drove Hobbits back and denied then their best opportunity to retake lead in the shadows of 1/2 time.

 

[Sydney Wallabies]

I despise the people that come from souths, but Steve Walsh is reffing them out of the game...

That's a bit harsh, Skullring.

As a Souths fan I am deeply offended by that.

In saying that though Steve Walsh must be a Uni old boy with the rubbish one sided refereeing today.

It's little wonder Uni win all the time as they get all the favourable refereeing decisions all the time.

No wonder we can't win as Uni have 16 players on the field(their 15 plus referee Walsh).

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Hobbits inability to score in the shadows of halftime may deliver confidence and momentum to Uni.

They are getting luck of the bounce from the Refs and AR's.
Uni: Try- Inman, Conversion Barnes, Penalty Barnes (3/3)
Hobbits: Try - Karauria-Henry, Conversion Morath, Penalty Morath (1/2)

Loss of Jerry Y may be telling for Uni.
Lineouts Hobbits 4/0, Uni 6/1
R&M Hobbits 22, Uni 33
Penalties Hobbits 5 Uni 7
Possession Hobbits 51% Uni 49%


Cross advantage Line Stat Hobbits 20, Uni 35.


Game on after Oranges:

2 minutes: Try Uni. McCalman in under the black dot strolling over after Step dummy, inside offload from Barnsey. Barnes Conversion. Uni 23, Hobbits 10.

Tackles Hobbits 91 Uni 56

10 Minutes Another high tackle from Hobbits. Barnes slots the 3 points perfectly. Uni 26 Hobbits 10
Hobbits looking quite tired. Uni looking very composed.
Hobbits Subs Nifo Off Vaea On. ? Off Doyle On

18 minutes:
PK to Hobbits 15 out in centre of posts (coming in from the side of Ruck). Hobbits elect scrum rather than easy 3 points.
Scrum Wins Hobbits 7 Uni 3.
Hobbits can not crack Uni line close in. Ball into ref from #9Hobbit Roos.
22 minutes: Finally: Douglas in for Hobbits. 23 metres to left of Goal. They made very hard weather of that try. Morath Conversion Uni 26 Hobbits 17
Timani (Hobbit) down injured.