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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Women’s Sevens: Manenti handed reins until 2021

Posted on June 1, 2018 by Paul Cook Leave a comment

Interim Australian Women’s Sevens head coach John Manenti has today been handed the reins on a permanent basis until 2021. Taking over from previous incumbent Tim Walsh, Manenti will continue his liaison with the side he has been involved with since 2015, and will lead them to Tokyo 2020 as they defend their Olympic title.

World Cup controversy Pt 2: Romania disqualified & Spain demoted

Posted on May 31, 2018 by Paul Cook Leave a comment

There’s been a bitter twist in the tail to the story of Spain’s controversial clash with Belgium in the 2019 Rugby World Cup qualifiers that Behind the Ruck covered a few weeks ago – see here That match had ended in an 18-10 victory for hosts Belgium, a result that sent Romania to the World Cup, and forced Spain through

Wallabies / World Game

U20s World Champs: Junior Wallabies fall short in opener

Posted on May 31, 2018 by Paul Cook Leave a comment

The challenge facing the Junior Wallabies at the 2018 Under 20’s World Championships in France, just got a whole lot harder after they went down 26-21 to Wales in their opening match this morning.