Shute Shield 2012

[Intruder]

"King" Piukala has gone, unfortunately, off to Perpignan. Yet another good young player who did not go to the right university.

Eastwood will definately miss someone of Piukalas calibre.

Has anyone managed to find any news on the Country squad ?

 

[2bluesfan]

Speaking of youngsters, Christini is doing great things. The Parramatta pack are kids; Blacklock and Hoscher played Colts last year (although Hosh played a lot of 1st grade), Seteuni is about a year older, as are Olmstead, Coleman and White . Andrew Cox is the old man at 24ish although Aniseko could be slightly older. They are punching well above their weight, age and experience. In the backs, Sam Yakopo is 19, Tui Faasasila and Moses Tavola are 20 along with Rech at 22. Only Leota, Fakafanua and possibly Dan Yakopo are (just) on the other side of 25.
When you watch them, Parra are playing the way Rugby should be played, for each other and the joy of the game. No one is on big money, no egos rule. They show respect but seem to fear no-one. It's to be hoped the former players and supporters who walked away in the tough years will see the new spirit at Parramatta, come back to watch these boys and help rebuild Australia's second oldest Rugby Club.

Fairly sure Andrew Cox will be 25 this year, which would make Iese Leota 26, I think. But you are right. When "the old men" in the team are in their mid-20s, and such quality individuals, the Two Blues are looking at establishing something. Full credit to Christini and the club management for promoting the atmosphere where players want to come and play at Parra, and full credit for those players who stuck with the Two Blues when times were very tough. And credit to the new players who have not only absorbed the Parra culture but added to it. We are richer for them coming to join us and I'd like to think that it's a two way street.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Ryan09, it gladdens my heart to see Parra coming back from the depths. They are long way from where they want to be I'm sure, but they are at least headed in the right direction.

As an aside, I really liked the look of one of their locks. Adam Coleman I think it was. He was terrific in general play.

 

[Bucko]

Eastwood will definately miss someone of Piukalas calibre.

Has anyone managed to find any news on the Country squad ?

The Country team play a Subbies (rep?) side as a curtain raiser to the Waratahs v Hurricanes game this weekend.
Not sure when the Country Origin side will be named for the game against Sydney. Apparently had about 30 or 40 Sydney based players at training last week and I think that was reduced for this week.
From Eastwood, I hear Mick Snowden and two 2nd graders - Tim Williams and Tom Ellem have been attending.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

Speaking of youngsters, Christini is doing great things. The Parramatta pack are kids; Blacklock and Hoscher played Colts last year (although Hosh played a lot of 1st grade), Seteuni is about a year older, as are Olmstead, Coleman and White . Andrew Cox is the old man at 24ish although Aniseko could be slightly older. They are punching well above their weight, age and experience. In the backs, Sam Yakopo is 19, Tui Faasasila and Moses Tavola are 20 along with Rech at 22. Only Leota, Fakafanua and possibly Dan Yakopo are (just) on the other side of 25.
When you watch them, Parra are playing the way Rugby should be played, for each other and the joy of the game. No one is on big money, no egos rule. They show respect but seem to fear no-one. It's to be hoped the former players and supporters who walked away in the tough years will see the new spirit at Parramatta, come back to watch these boys and help rebuild Australia's second oldest Rugby Club.

I liked the looks of Coleman. Big and strong, he made an impact every time he touched the ball against Gordon. I reckon someone should be looking to tee him up and stint in the NPC if possible (tell he's not a Kiwi) too give him some more experience as he looks likely a future Super Rugby lock for my mind.

 

[Budgie]

Loving the Two Blues record so far. Let's hope they don't do a "waratahs" and have the wheels fall off just when people start to believe in them.

Might have missed it but is the top half/bottom half division of the Shute Shield teams in the second half of the season based on overall club performance across all grades or is it based solely on performance in each individual grade?

 

[Intruder]

Loving the Two Blues record so far. Let's hope they don't do a "waratahs" and have the wheels fall off just when people start to believe in them.

Might have missed it but is the top half/bottom half division of the Shute Shield teams in the second half of the season based on overall club performance across all grades or is it based solely on performance in each individual grade?

An overall club performance in regards to the fixtures played between the top and bottom six. However, positions on the ladder in each grade will work the same way.

 

[Done that]

An overall club performance in regards to the fixtures played between the top and bottom six. However, positions on the ladder in each grade will work the same way.

I am curious as to how that arrangement will work in the final standings for colts teams.
A club such as West Harbour or Randwick , which appear to be in the bottom six , based on club championship points ,are likely to be amongst the better teams in
the colts competition.
Clubs such as Parramatta , Gordon & Penrith , do not have a full complement of colts teams ,& are likely to be in the bottom six based on club championship points.
In previous years when a club defaults , the opposition team receives a score of 28 - 0 & is credited with 5 competition points .
This year this is not the case , & the team which is missing out on a game because of the default , is not receiving any points.
This disadvantages the sides playing against Parramatta ,Penrith & Gordon in the second round , as they receive no points while the teams in the top six division , have the
opportunity to receive 5 points , thus giving a false final points ladder prior to the final series of games.

 

[Keithy]

The Colts 3 comp has been revamped and the 9 teams will play each other once from now.
As for the Shute Shield 2 round, if standings remain the same, we are looking at 5 clubs having an uneven home and away season. Eastwood and Norths may have 9 home games, Uni, Easts and Southern having 8 and Manly only 7. This will surely have a bearing on the final placings. Good luck to the Comp organiser!

 

[Bruce Ross]

What an excellent initiative that is, Keithy. This is exactly why the Sydney Rugby Union was reconstituted. Half way through the competition and the format for Colts 3 is finalised, or at least I would hope so.

I won't join you in wishing, "Good luck to the Comp organiser!" I would send a different message.
.

 

[Done that]

The Colts 3 comp has been revamped and the 9 teams will play each other once from now.
As for the Shute Shield 2 round, if standings remain the same, we are looking at 5 clubs having an uneven home and away season. Eastwood and Norths may have 9 home games, Uni, Easts and Southern having 8 and Manly only 7. This will surely have a bearing on the final placings. Good luck to the Comp organiser!

What about Colts 2 , Parramatta don't have a team & I understand Penrith forfeited last week ?

 

[Blackers13]

What about Colts 2 , Parramatta don't have a team & I understand Penrith forfeited last week ?

Parramatta had a Colts 2 and almost a 3 until a group of players followed a pied piper to Penrith and left Parra with only 20 or so. They are looking to next year and have some good plans to secure players with the right attitude, in line with the rest of the club.

 

[Done that]

Parramatta had a Colts 2 and almost a 3 until a group of players followed a pied piper to Penrith and left Parra with only 20 or so. They are looking to next year and have some good plans to secure players with the right attitude, in line with the rest of the club.

That's great , but my query related to what was going to happen to the Colts 2 competition in the remaining games this year .The Colts 3
competition has been revamped apparently , but what of the 2's.

 

[Keithy]

No word on Colts 2 but would think that everyone in Parramatta's half would get the 28 result and 5 comp points. It's a pitty the SRU can't perform off the field like the SS is on the field. It has been great rugby on the grass and on TV.

 

[2bluesfan]

Parra 15 Wests 12, not pretty. Well done to Penrith, beating Souths 24-20 I understand.

Other results
Uni 12 Warringah 0
Norths 15 Gordon 3
Randwick 10 Easts 16
Manly 0 Eastwood 27

 

[wamberal]

As a Woodies fan, I am pleasantly surprised that they managed to hold the Marlins to zero at the village.

But, why wasn't this game on the box?

 

[Ole Two Blue]

As a Woodies fan, I am pleasantly surprised that they managed to hold the Marlins to zero at the village.

But, why wasn't this game on the box?

it was ABC game wamberal............

 

[2bluesfan]

I liked the looks of Coleman. Big and strong, he made an impact every time he touched the ball against Gordon. I reckon someone should be looking to tee him up and stint in the NPC if possible (tell he's not a Kiwi) too give him some more experience as he looks likely a future Super Rugby lock for my mind.

Adam is a great prospect and he had another fine game today. Stole a few of West's throws, won Parra's own, did the hard work in tight and made ground every time he had the ball. Couldn't really ask for more.

 

[CarlUnger]

Felt sorry for the Norths club today, not on the scoreboard but because they have done a lot to promote their games this year. They have lowered ees to $10 a game and for the derby against Gordon they had free entry cut-out vouchers in the North Shore Times, then it rained...

 

[wamberal]

it was ABC game wamberal............

Thanks for that. We have to wait until 3.30 am Tuesday for the replay.