Shute Shield 2020 start date: Super Rugby stars set to join competition
The uncertainty surrounding the resumption of the Super Rugby competition is set to bring together the nation’s best talent for a 12-team Shute Shield competition. DETAILS ON START DATE
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Sydney Rugby Union clubs are planning for a 12-team Shute Shield to kick-off in late July to be played under strict government health guidelines and with the possible inclusion of Super Rugby stars.
Those developments follow a crucial meeting of the club presidents with the SRU on Wednesday night.
“We are optimistic we could be playing as early as July,” SRU president Phil Parsons said.
“That is subject to directions from the public health authority, that there are no more (coronavirus) breakouts and we continue going on the same path.”
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The premiership will also have to follow return-to-play protocols which are currently being finalised by World Rugby.
The guidelines cover issues such as when teams are allowed to start training, every person having their own drink bottles and cleaning dressing rooms between games.
“We would be looking at teams starting to train four weeks before the competition,” Parsons said.
There is also the chance the competition could be bolstered with big name players from Australian Super Rugby franchises, given the uncertainty about the resumption of play in that competition this year.
“We’d love that to happen, we certainly have been in discussions with NSW Rugby and Rugby Australia talking about the release of Super Rugby players,” Parsons said.
“And we have been assured that if they are not playing Super Rugby the players will be released to play for their community clubs.”
As for the competition structure, Parsons said: “We are still looking for that 12th club.
“Newcastle have enquired about making up the 12th team but we are also working with Penrith Emus who are working through their own options to pull a team together to compete.
“That is always subject to them being able to pull together a playing roster that is competitive in the Shute Shield.”
The other 11 clubs have said they will all be there, but they may not all be able to field fourth grade teams.
The plan is for 11 rounds, with each club playing each other once followed by a six-team finals series.
But Parsons said there were still many pieces to the puzzle which need to be worked through before the competition is finalised.
Because it will be played so late, the clubs have to secure grounds and in that regard will need help from councils and other sports.
“We don’t know if we will be able to play with spectators, we don’t understand if we can offer food and beverage facilities,” Parsons said. “And we are working through how we will get on TV this year.”
Club Rugby TV have sold the Shute Shield rights back to Rugby Australia and Parsons is confident games will be televised.
Parsons said the club presidents have regular hook-ups where they share information and advice to stay afloat through this unprecedented time.
In addition, Parsons has been speaking to Rugby Australia twice a week.
“We have two problems – the commercial viability of the game we love, but we also have the mental health and the well being of our players, supporters and volunteers to take into consideration as well,” he said.
“I will say the first priority is always going to be the health and well being of our players.”
Asked what rugby will look like next year in the recovery from the coronavirus Parsons said: “I think we all understand now it won’t be the same and I’d like to think there will be a greater focus on the community game and back to the foundations. And not just rugby but all sporting codes, there is no choice.’’
Gordon coach Darren Coleman said his club will be right to start at the end of July.
“We’d be ready to go this Saturday if they allowed us,” he said.
“We had a big pre-season and the boys have been doing all their own training.”
Originally published as Shute Shield 2020 start date: Super Rugby stars set to join competition