Shute Shield 2012

[sudrugby]

Shaun Foley and Dewet Roos has been signed by Narbonne as well as Julian Huxley for next year.
It is the team where Bob Dwyer has some shares.

 

[Keithy]

Uni Coaching staff didn't want players getting injuried playing in a match they considered a non event. Players were advised to turn down any offers. The other clubs were upset so Fong, the 2nd grade half, was tossed up as a token.

 

[Aloha77]

Shaun Foley and Dewet Roos has been signed by Narbonne as well as Julian Huxley for next year.
It is the team where Bob Dwyer has some shares.

Shaun Foley Youtube clip shows a little

​

 

[Agent]

Sydney looks a much stronger side than country, tipping them 20+

I noticed there's only 1 Uni player in both Sydney and Country and he's on the bench. Any reason for this?

Closer than you thought in the end - 26-13 to Sydney. Hopefully Country will bounce back next year.

 

[qwerty51]

Closer than you thought in the end - 26-13 to Sydney. Hopefully Country will bounce back next year.

Not close at all when you consider the refereeing.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

.... And how come there was so much secrecy and intrigue associated with the City Country game?

It was entirely by accident that I even knew it had been transferred to Concord. One of the Pirates Colts told me while I was out at St Lukes observing the U16/U17 cattle drive.

No one seems to know who was in the City team until the last safe moment.

The bloody amateur Sydney Juniors can post the names of their Zone Reps the day after their State Champs, why can't SRU?

SRU need to lift their game. This game is (or could be) one of their showpieces, and it should be marketed and promoted accordingly.

There also seemed to be many top line players missing. Great for the development of those players selected, but hardly what SRU need if they want to attract paying spectators and sponsors.

Bravo to the ABC for their coverage (again), and yes I know that it is heavily subsidised by NSW rugby.

 

[Andrew B Cox]

I think what the Sydney -Country game needs is a 1980 State-of-Origin style boil-over.

Perhaps then Sydney will begin to take the fixture seriously. While there was a lot of talent, the side looked more of a compromise rather than a true reflection of Shute Shield form. There appeared not much of a selection process, nor any vision early in the season from the SRU.

And Uni's lack of support smacks of a club protecting its supposed right to stand alone in anything that resembles a third tier. David Fong is a wonderful player, but if he's not good enough for Uni's 1st XV, he's not good enough for combined Sydney.

I greatly admire what Uni has achieved since 1997, but this perceived self-interest leaves all rugby lovers much the poorer.

 

[It is what it is]

I think what the Sydney -Country game needs is a 1980 State-of-Origin style boil-over.

Perhaps then Sydney will begin to take the fixture seriously. While there was a lot of talent, the side looked more of a compromise rather than a true reflection of Shute Shield form. There appeared not much of a selection process, nor any vision early in the season from the SRU.

And Uni's lack of support smacks of a club protecting its supposed right to stand alone in anything that resembles a third tier. David Fong is a wonderful player, but if he's not good enough for Uni's 1st XV, he's not good enough for combined Sydney.

I greatly admire what Uni has achieved since 1997, but this perceived self-interest leaves all rugby lovers much the poorer.

Agree with both Andrew B Cox and HJ.
Shame on Sydney Uni or any club who doesn't support such fixtures.
Shouldn't the order of a player's motivation be from Club to Sydney/Country to Region to Country?
The simple solution should be for the Sydney & Country selectors to choose who they want in their team from all Shute Shield & Country competitions.
If a selected player declines to play they should be stood down from the very next round of their club competition.
If any players declare they're injured then they must subject themselves to a medical.
With Sydney Uni playing Easts the week after the Sydney-Country clash, that would have sorted them out re declining to play.

 

[Bruce Ross]

Uni Coaching staff didn't want players getting injuried playing in a match they considered a non event. Players were advised to turn down any offers. The other clubs were upset so Fong, the 2nd grade half, was tossed up as a token.

And Uni's lack of support smacks of a club protecting its supposed right to stand alone in anything that resembles a third tier. David Fong is a wonderful player, but if he's not good enough for Uni's 1st XV, he's not good enough for combined Sydney.

I greatly admire what Uni has achieved since 1997, but this perceived self-interest leaves all rugby lovers much the poorer.

Shame on Sydney Uni or any club who doesn't support such fixtures.
Shouldn't the order of a player's motivation be from Club to Sydney/Country to Region to Country?
The simple solution should be for the Sydney & Country selectors to choose who they want in their team from all Shute Shield & Country competitions.
If a selected player declines to play they should be stood down from the very next round of their club competition.
If any players declare they're injured then they must subject themselves to a medical.
With Sydney Uni playing Easts the week after the Sydney-Country clash, that would have sorted them out re declining to play.

Never let the truth get in the way of a chance to slag Sydney Uni.

G&GR members can perhaps be excused for being ill-informed but a TV commentator who is President of a rival club has no excuse for not checking the facts before launching another of his customary attacks on Uni. Brett Papworth should apologise on air.
.

 

[AussieDominance]

What are the facts then Bruce? As far as I can see there can be no excuse for a lack of Sydney Uni players because :

A) They have plenty of players who would have been readily selected in a Sydney/Country side(remember they asked for 1st/2nd grade Sydney Grade Rugby players for the Country side).
B) If it was so obvious the reason Brett Papworth probably would have known

 

[Bruce Ross]

What are the facts then Bruce? As far as I can see there can be no excuse for a lack of Sydney Uni players because :

A) They have plenty of players who would have been readily selected in a Sydney/Country side(remember they asked for 1st/2nd grade Sydney Grade Rugby players for the Country side).
B) If it was so obvious the reason Brett Papworth probably would have known

As you say, AussieDominance, "there can be no excuse for a lack of Sydney Uni players because" of A) and B). That's the matter settled then.
.

 

[Andrew B Cox]

Sorry Bruce if I am completely wrong in concluding that the lack of Uni players in both the Sydney & Country teams is due to self-interest on the club's part.

When I was coach of NSW Country, I asked a couple of Uni players to help us out against an international touring team. Although initially thrilled, they pulled out at the last minute because ' the club made it a prerequisite of 1st XV selection that they have dinner with Brock on that particular evening.'

Then in 2007, Uni along with Easts and Randwick formed the 'coalition of the unwilling' which did wonders for the Sydney Fleet side in the ARC. At that time, Uni openly stated that if there was to be a third tier, they would stand alone. A view that they still no doubt hold to.

Even if Keithy's comments are inaccurate, Uni's past behaviour certainly makes them plausible.

If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, chances are, it's just that.

 

[Bruce Ross]

Then in 2007, Uni along with Easts and Randwick formed the 'coalition of the unwilling' which did wonders for the Sydney Fleet side in the ARC. At that time, Uni openly stated that if there was to be a third tier, they would stand alone. A view that they still no doubt hold to.

Andrew, despite Sydney Uni's opposition to the way the ARC was implemented it is a matter of record that the Club contributed more than 30 players to the competition.
.

 

[lily]

They should get a medal for that.
30 players, I wonder who was doing who a favour.

 

[Iluvmyfooty]

As you say, AussieDominance, "there can be no excuse for a lack of Sydney Uni players because" of A) and B). That's the matter settled then.
.

Bruce you have neither refuted the comments or provided the reason why Sydney Uni players were not selected. It is quite easy to say that people are Uni bashing (which is normally the case mind you) but in this regard the absence of so many good players allows people to raise their concerns. Did the Uni players all decide themselves that they weren't interested?

Also Papworth, being a President of a club and therefore aware of things that goes on behind the scene would be a credible source of the reasons why.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

While Bruce is clearly aligned with Uni, he is not an official spokesman for the club.

Perhaps we shouldn't get stuck into him as if he was.

It seemed that there were many top level potential players missing from the City squad from many clubs not just Uni.

Player fatigue and injury is a major issue and this may be why many players declined to participate.

(Disclaimer: I am not aligned with Uni in any way shape or form. I love the underdog getting up, so have not barracked for Uni for quite some time).

 

[Blackers13]

A big game this Saturday at Merrylands, Parra in 6th V Manly in 5th and it's Ladies Day. Hoping for another good crowd.

 

[Andrew B Cox]

Andrew, despite Sydney Uni's opposition to the way the ARC was implemented it is a matter of record that the Club contributed more than 30 players to the competition.

Given that all S14 contracted and Academy players were compelled to play in the ARC, S14 franchises as well as the ARU had deemed the comp as the official stepping stone to Super Rugby and long term Uni Coach, Bill Millard was in charge of the Melbourne Rebels, are you saying that Uni could have actually done anything to prevent those 30 playing in the ARC, Bruce?

Doesn't sound like a gesture of goodwill to me, Bruce.

 

[It is what it is]

Given that all S14 contracted and Academy players were compelled to play in the ARC, S14 franchises as well as the ARU had deemed the comp as the official stepping stone to Super Rugby and long term Uni Coach, Bill Millard was in charge of the Melbourne Rebels, are you saying that Uni could have actually done anything to prevent those 30 playing in the ARC, Bruce?

Doesn't sound like a gesture of goodwill to me, Bruce.

My earlier comments were aimed at ALL clubs who treated the Sydney-Country game with a lack of respect by either directing or encouraging their players not to participate.
Sydney Uni stand out because of the noticeable absence of their players AND prior form....on this I am not ill informed.

All that aside I, like many rugby followers, just want to see some reinvigoration and respect afforded to this game.
That would look like the best players being selected and all clubs supporting the fixture.
No player or club should be bigger than the game.

Andrew, do you know if the controlling bodies have any teeth to select who they want or are they just gummies relying on clubs and players to be nice?

 

[Andrew B Cox]

Andrew, do you know if the controlling bodies have any teeth to select who they want or are they just gummies relying on clubs and players to be nice?

At the moment, players are contracted to clubs and not their respective unions, so clubs tend to have the whip hand. When the Sydney concept was floated last year, clubs had to nominate 3 players for the squad, which was whittled down to 2 per club for the first game against Rebel Rising.

In that sense the team was borne out of some compromise. However, there was a genuine desire initially for this team to represent all clubs. It was my understanding that a similar approach was taken this year. The problem is, when you aim to be inclusive the jersey can sometimes its lustre.

As for NSW Country, Col Jeffs has been pretty diligent in tracking down city based country boys. Like Matt Briggs, he can't force them at gunpoint, and if a club tells a player 'no', the player would probably have to comply or put his contract at risk (depending on the contract).The carrot country has is the Lions game next year- if indeed it is an 'Australian Country' origin side that plays.

Last year at Wests, we lobbied pretty hard to get Liam Windon added to the Sydney squad with Jeremy Sua after the first game as well as pushed to get Henry Seavula into the Country side.

Given that Jeremy got picked in the Samoan World Cup side and Liam went on the Rebels end of season tour, the rep games worked pretty well for them.

They no longer play for Wests, which is a shame, but I just don't think you should hold players back for your own ends.