This week sees the return of the Shute Shield in Sydney and the John I Dent Cup in Canberra, as well as the continuation of the WA Premier Grade, SA Coopers Premier Grade and the Darwin First Grade.
Shute Shield Round 1
There’s a feeling in the air in Sydney. The trials are over, the preparation is complete, and on Saturday, Australia’s oldest club rugby competition begins again: the Shute Shield!
The competition starts amidst considerable concern around the return of COVID-19, which was further amplified by many people at an Easts Rugby trial game not obeying social distancing rules. The SRU and NSW Rugby releasing important information regarding ticketing and social distancing rules at games, so if you do wish to attend games, please view this information and abide by all rules.
Each team will play each other once in the 13-round competition.
This year sees the return of two clubs to the premier grade, with the long-awaited return of the Penrith Emus following their axing from the competition in 2018, and the Newcastle Wildfires, who return for the first time since 1999.
Last season proved to be the closes yet, with Sydney University defeating Warringah 21-16 to win back-to-back premierships.
Our Match Of The Round:
Warringah vs. Sydney University
Where else to begin but the two teams that have featured in the last two grand finals? The matches between these two sides in the last few years have been some of the best the competition has to offer.
The Students have a big target on their back from their continued success, and will want to start the season with a big statement against the Rats.
There are few places tougher to win than Rat Park however, and Warringah will look to hit the ground running and deliver the club a second premiership.
Other Fixtures:
Gordon vs Eastern Suburbs
Southern Districts vs Eastwood
Manly vs Western Sydney
West Harbour vs Northern Suburbs
Randwick vs Newcastle
The Warringah-Sydney Uni clash will be live on 7TWO, with coverage starting from 3pm AEST this Saturday.
John I Dent Cup Round 1
CONFIRMED: Club rugby returns to Brumbies country this Saturday, 18 July! #JIDC82 https://t.co/PzGsd49t1V pic.twitter.com/pTTsQxLIns
— Plus500 Brumbies (@BrumbiesRugby) July 16, 2020
This weekend also sees the return of one of the other big premier club competitions.
Rugby is back in the national capital, with ACT Heath giving the all-clear for club rugby in the ACT and Southern NSW to proceed.
The ACTRU Premier Division, also known as the John I Dent Cup, has been a two horse race for the last few years between the Canberra Royals and Tuggeranong Vikings, with both teams being the only sides to have claimed the trophy since 2011.
However, the last few years off the back of more club players representing the Canberra Vikings in the NRC has seen a dramatic increase in the competitiveness of the other clubs, and with only a ten round competition this year we should expect an exciting opening round as all teams look to hit the ground running.
Our Match Of The Round:
Canberra Royals vs Uni-Norths Owls
The two big improvers last year were the Gungahlin Eagles and the Owls, and while both teams crashed out in the semi-finals, it was a season that showed both clubs have a lot of exciting players that could deliver them the trophy down the line.
This weekend, the Owls will pay a visit to Phillip Oval, one of the toughest places to win in Canberra. While the Royals, as current title holders, will be favourites for this match, write the Owls side off at your peril.
Having knocked off multiple teams last year, they do have potential to cause one of the first big upsets of the year.
Other Fixtures:
Tuggeranong vs Queanbeyan
Wests vs Gungahlin
Head to the John I Dent Cup Facebook page for their live stream of the Vikings-Whites match, kicking off at 3pm.
Fortescue Premier Grade Round 3
Round Three of the WA Premier Grade sees Cottlesloe and Associates currently battling it out for top of the table, however what is more surprising is the traffic jam of other teams also challenging, with Palmyra, Joondalup, Nedlands and UWA also having not dropped a game yet.
While there is still ten rounds of rugby to go after this week, the fact many of these times have already had comprehensive victories as well suggests that the race for the title this year will be a much more interesting one.
Our Match of The Round:
UWA vs Coastal Cavaliers
While the Cavaliers have been yet to taste victory this season, they sure have come close in the first fortnight of the competition, taking a losing bonus point against Nedlands at home in round 1, while also going down swinging against a strong Lions side last week.
This match marks their first away game for the season, and they may sense the chance to snatch a critical away win to start their season.
Despite their two wins, UWA had to work for it against Wests Scarbs and Wanneroo, and will likely have to do the same to maintain their unbeaten record so far.
Other Fixtures:
ARKs vs Curtain Uni
Palmyra vs Cottlesloe
Southern Lions vs Nedlands
Associates vs Wanneroo
Wests Scarborough vs Kalamunda
Joondalup vs Perth Bayswater
You can watch the selected match of the round (ARKs v Curtain Uni) over at wa.rugby
Coopers Premier Grade Round 4
Round three of the Coopers Premier Grade saw several teams grab their first wins, including Onkaparinga and last year’s competition winners, Burnside.
With round four upon us regular title contenders Brighton and Old Collegians look to be setting the pace, however the big jumper has been Southern Suburbs, who are currently still to drop a game in their search to win their first title since 2007.
Fixtures:
Elizabeth vs Woodville
Old Collegians vs Port Adelaide
Adelaide University vs Onkaparinga
Southern Suburbs vs Barossa
Brighton vs Burnside
You can watch a live stream of a selected match of the round (Elizabeth v Woodville) on Rugby SA’s Facebook page.
Darwin First Grade Round 8
Lasty, round seven of the Darwin First Grade delivered a thriller top of the table clash, with University just beating out South Darwin 19-17.
While the Pirates will have the bye this weekend, they now sit with a nine point buffer at the top of the ladder with three rounds to go. South Darwin is the only team that can realistically catch them, and will need a big win this weekend to do that.
Fixtures:
South Darwin vs Palmerston
Darwin Dragons vs Casuarina Cougars
We hope you enjoy your club rugby this weekend, wherever you are!
Victorian Rugby is still currently postponed, with Tasmania Rugby set for a late July start and Queensland Rugby set to kick off August 1.
