Shute Shield 2016

[paul martin]

I don't really care if Randwick parachute their Waratah players into the SS. They're a long way off Patrick Osborne or Malakai Fekitoa.

 

[paul martin]

I agree with you Dr Dave. He's had a great season. But he's made a mistake here. Is it the end of the world? No. Not to him.But it's this kind of sh1t that puts boys off rugby.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

I have heard that Todd Louden is taking over the role of head coach at Wests
Todd is an excellent cosch and doesn't take any crap. A great pick up for Wests

I wish it was the Force he was heading to. We could use some of his rugby nous.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

I don't really care if Randwick parachute their Waratah players into the SS. They're a long way off Patrick Osborne or Malakai Fekitoa.

As is Dowsett and Wells.

 

[Shadow]

As is Dowsett and Wells.

Would it be fairer and easier if any player signs a super contract up to a certain level at any time of the season he becomes ineligable to play SS.
I think the season becomes more fairer and more a level playing field

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Doesn't matter what measures are introduced to level off the playing field, there are several certainties:
1. There will be loopholes that will be exploited,
2. There will be unintended consequences of any new measure,
3. It will always be the "other" club that is rorting the system.

 

[Brumby Runner]

I wish it was the Force he was heading to. We could use some of his rugby nous.

If Mohommad won't go to the mountain, maybe....

 

[the coach]

To complicate matters, Clubs seem to be able to "loan" players to each other.

Back in the day, Drew Mitchell and Matt Giteau were seemingly registered with Balmain Rugby Club. I suspect this was a bit of a promotional stunt more than anything else, but they did play one match for them, another promotional stunt.
Most "proper" club games they played, when they were not required for Wallaby or Super Rugby duties were for Randwick, even in the season they played the exhibition match for Balmain.

For every hard and fast rule, there seems to be an exception.

Can't recall Mitchell or Giteau being parachuted into a Finals Game when they were with Balmain though.

Almost certain Giteau only played less than half a game for the Wicks just before the 2011 World Cup squad was announced (to prove his fitness). He then went off to France when he missed selection. Mitchell was registered with the Wicks when he first came to the Tahs. The Balmain registration was just a stunt by Mr Livingston, I presume, as part of his plan to take over the world of rugby. What happened to that plan?

 

[I like to watch]

It didn't help the Wix parachuting all their Tahs into their backline.

Speaks volumes about Tahs recruiting.
When the pros are comprehensively outplayed by the amateurs,some adjustments are required.
But I wouldn't put money on it happening.

 

[p.Tah]

Does anyone know if you can purchase Grand Final tickets online or do you have to buy them at the gate?

 

[Stumpy]

I see the second-grade GF is between Wicks v Easts. Is this the first time Uni hasn't been in it for about 10+ years?

 

[AussieDominance]

I think people are just having a go at Tom Carter the person the incident that occurred happens multiple times in a rugby game. Just happened to be an ex Uni club member at the receiving end of it.

Re Wells and Dowsett I asked the question re Alex Gibbon earlier as well.

 

[RugbyReg]

where has Alex Gibbon turned up?

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

where has Alex Gibbon turned up?

Southern Districts.

 

[Brumby Runner]

A Gibbon (I think Alex) played on the wing for Southern yesterday - scored a try.

 

[RugbyReg]

really? He played the entire season with Norths up here, and was their captain for half the season.

That just seems odd.

 

[Beenandgone]

I see the second-grade GF is between Wicks v Easts. Is this the first time Uni hasn't been in it for about 10+ years?

Na first time since 2011 - they won 12-13-15 lost 14

 

[Hugh Jarse]

really? He played the entire season with Norths up here, and was their captain for half the season.

That just seems odd.

Very odd indeed. It's usually a club located slightly to the North of the Hobbits that parachutes QPR players in the Finals series, but that hasn't happened for the best part of a decade.

Is he returning to Sudney for a NRC gig - assume the Rams?

 

[Learned One]

It didn't help the Wix parachuting all their Tahs into their backline.

No it didn't , which is why winning in the forwards is vital. Usually the team with the dominant forward pack ends up with more ball, in better field positions to score points. Of course, a spectacular backline can feed off scraps of possession but not often .

So does either team in the GF have a forward advantage?

 

[Learned One]

Coach @ #2122.

Thanks for providing the rules . Clearly playing Dowsett, Wells and Gibbon is within the rules so I guess it comes down to the individual clubs as to whether they wish to make use of this provision.

I doubt Uni really care whether Dowsett and Wells play or not.
Hickey is interesting. Openside is probably Uni's most problematic position. Is he an automatic selection for the GF?