Shute Shield finals 2022: Gordon gun, Waratahs recruit Harrison Goddard has point to prove

He’s back with a rugby master coach and new Waratah Harrison Goddard is ready to start writing a new chapter in his career - starting with the Shute Shield grand final for Gordon .

Gordon will take on Sydney University in the Shute Shjield grand final.

Harrison Goddard has a big point to prove in Super Rugby because of a dark moment in his past. Now he’s been given the chance to do just that by an old club coach.

Goddard still remembers the shock of being dropped by the Melbourne Rebels.

Being upset and bemused and a little confused.

Three years on and with the experience of playing in Major League Rugby in the US, the 24-year-old said it will be a big part of his drive now he’s returned home to NSW to be part of the NSW Waratahs and to help the Gordon in their bid for success in the Shute Shield which culminates with the grand final between his club and Sydney Uni on Saturdauy.

“I have a little unfinished business with Super Rugby,” said former Australian schoolboy Goddard who made his Super Rugby debut as a teenager and signed with the Rebels for two years in 2017.

“I was with the Rebels from 2018 to 2020 and did my shoulder in 2019.

Harrison Goddard runs with the ball during a Melbourne Rebels Super Rugby training session back in 2018.

“I was meant to re-sign and nothing eventuated. They went with someone else.

“I was a bit shocked. I was in a good spot, I was in the Junior Wallabies, in the system for a few years.

“It was a bit of a shock for me.”

After eight game with the Rebels, Harrison returned home to play under coach Darren Coleman at Gordon.

Kurtley Beale during the unveiling of the new Wallabies Indigenous jersey with sevens player Mahalia Murphy and Harrison Goddard. Picture: Brett Costello

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He was part of the team that won Gordon’s first Shute Shield in 18 years in 2020 then followed the master coach to LA to play for Giltinis in MLR.

Now the young talent has returned to Sydney to work under Coleman again after being named in the MLR dream team in 2021 and 2022 and named the guiltiest MVP in 2022

“Darren has been instrumental in my career, he has always given me the opportunity to play and backed me. We have had honest conversations with each other,” he said.

“He has given me this opportunity and he will bring out my best.

“He is the coach you want to play for. He’s an he’s emotional guy, about footy, family, and he connects with you as a player and a person.

“That personal touch is appreciated.”

Goddard has played a big role in helping Gordon into the Shute Shield grand final against Sydney University on Saturday.

Gordon booked their spot with their 23-13 preliminary final defeat of minor premiers Norths.

Sydney University claimed their spot with a 10-9 win over Eastwood.

SHUTE SHIELD GRAND FINAL

SATURDAY: GORDON V SYDNEY UNIVERSITY

3:10pm

Leichhardt Oval

Originally published as Shute Shield finals 2022: Gordon gun, Waratahs recruit Harrison Goddard has point to prove