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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Intrust Super Shute Shield discipline – What’s in a card?

Posted on August 10, 2017 by Paul Cook Leave a comment

With the regular season over and finals footy kicking-off this weekend, Behind the Ruck took the chance to look back across the 18 rounds that got us to this point, and wondered how a team’s discipline, or lack of it, affected it’s ladder position – if at all. While there are some anomalies, the results do seem to indicate a

Club Rugby

What they said: Jack Scott Cup Final – Sydney Uni v Warringah

Posted on August 4, 2017 by Paul Cook Leave a comment

A fantastic day of women’s rugby at Boronia Park, Hunters Hill last Saturday, was capped off with a battle befitting the two best teams in the Sydney Women’s Rugby competition as Sydney University and Warringah competed for the Jack Scott Cup.

Womens Rugby

Ratettes upset Uni to reclaim women’s crown

Posted on August 2, 2017 by Paul Cook 2 comments

Warringah reclaimed the Sydney Womens Rugby title last Saturday with a hard-fought 21-17 win over reigning champions Sydney University at Boronia Park, with flyhalf Chloe Leaupepe starring with a 16pt haul. Having finished second on the ladder behind Uni, and lost twice to them in the regular season, the Ratettes saved their best until last with a determined effort that proved too much in the end for a fast-finishing Uni side, admittedly missing some key figures.