Behind the Ruck

Grand Final Key Match-Up – James Lough vs Jack McCalman

It’s perhaps fitting that this afternoon’s Shute Shield decider, likely to be an arm wrestle in the wet with no quarter asked or given, will be fought out by two teams led by captains that epitomise the dogged determination and spirit that will be needed to win the day. On the one side is Gordon’s James Lough, on the other is Sydney University’s Jack McCalman. Let battle commence!
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Grand Final Key Match-Up – Tim Clements vs Reece Macdonald

Guiding their teams around the park from the back of the field this afternoon will be Sydney University speedster Tim Clements and Gordon’s versatile playmaker Reece Macdonald. Both have Premiership winning pewter mugs in their locker already, and both will be desperate to add to their collection off the back of an influential performance in the title decider.
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Grand Final Key Match-Up – Mahe Vailanu vs Ciaran Loh

The first of our key match-ups ahead of tomorrow’s fascinating Shute Shield decider will be fought out up front, as hookers Mahe Vailanu from Gordon and Ciaran Loh from Sydney University battle it out for set-piece dominance. They could also be the difference on the scoreboard given their try-scoring prowess.
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2022 Shute Shield GF: Meet the Teams – Gordon

Gordon captain James Lough and team manager Ace Naati take us through the Highlanders’ 23 man squad for tomorrow’s Shute Shield grand final showdown against Sydney University…
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2022 Shute Shield GF: Meet the Teams – Sydney University

Sydney University prop Charlie Hancock takes us through the Students’ 23-man matchday squad for tomorrow’s Shute Shield grand final showdown against Gordon…
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2022 Colin Caird Shield GF: Meet the Teams – Eastern Suburbs

Eastern Suburbs 2nd Grade captain Max Patterson takes us through the matchday squad for tomorrow’s Colin Caird Shield grand final showdown against Sydney University…
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2022 Colin Caird Shield GF: Meet the Teams – Sydney University

Sydney University captain Pat O’Doherty and flanker Angus Allen take us through the Students’ 23-man matchday squad for Saturday’s Colin Caird Shield grand final showdown against Eastern Suburbs…
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2022 JR Henderson Shield GF: Meet the Teams – Randwick

Randwick’s 3rd Grade captain Sean Conner looks ahead to tomorrow’s JR Henderson Shield grand final derby showdown against Eastern Suburbs, and takes us through his side’s matchday XV…
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2022 JR Henderson Shield GF: Meet the Teams – Eastern Suburbs

Eastern Suburbs 3rd Grade captain Alex King takes us through the 23-man squad for tomorrow’s JR Henderson Shield grand final derby showdown against Randwick…
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2022 JR Henderson Cup GF: Meet the Teams – Randwick

Randwick’s 4th (or 4rd!) Grade captain Tim Reeves looks ahead to tomorrow’s JR Henderson Cup grand final showdown against Sydney University, and takes us through his side’s extended squad…
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2018 Super Rugby Preview: New Zealand Conference

Posted on February 23, 2018 by Paul Cook Leave a comment

The 2018 Super Rugby season officially kicked off last weekend with a South African conference-only round to whet the appetite. But the full platter is served up this weekend when the Australian and New Zealand conferences join the party, and plenty of nervous eyes will be looking across the Tasman to see if the kiwis are looking as ominous as

NRC / Super Rugby

2018 Super Rugby Preview: South African Conference

Posted on February 21, 2018 by Paul Cook Leave a comment

They kicked off at the weekend with opening wins for the Lions and Stormers in what was a South African conference-only start to the 2018 Super Rugby season. But with two sides – the Cheetahs and Southern Kings – cut from the equation and now plying their trade in Europe, what have the four remaining Republic franchises and the Argentina-based Jaguares

NRC / Super Rugby

Hamilton Sevens: Aussies claim Bronze as Flying Fijians shine

Posted on February 4, 2018 by Paul Cook Leave a comment

The Aussie Men’s Sevens team have fallen agonisingly short of matching last week’s Sydney success, finishing in a gallant 3rd place at the inaugural Hamilton Sevens in New Zealand.