How Warringah Rats muscled their way into Shute Shield grand final

THE Warringah Rats have set the scene for a torrid up front battle with the Sydney University juggernaut in Saturday’s Shute Shield premiership decider at Bankwest Stadium.

Warringah Rat forward Ru MacKenzie on the attack against Eastwood. on Saturday. Picture: Karen Watson.

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WARRINGAH have muscled their way into a third straight Shute Shield grand final — and in doing set the scene for a torrid up front battle with the Sydney University juggernaut in Saturday’s premiership decider at Bankwest Stadium.

The Rats have the chance to avenge last year’s 45-12 defeat by University in the grand final after their hard-fought 22-15 semi-final win over Eastwood at North Sydney Oval last Saturday

The victory was built off the back of the hard work of the “Rat pack” who took on the powerful Eastwood forwards on at their own game.

They walked from the field after scoring decisive points win, which was highlighted by a penalty try from a big scrum in the second half which was the ideal preparation for the clash with University.

Warringah fullback Liam Windon (right) leaps for a high ball against Eastwood, Picture: Karen Watson.

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“The challenge for us, and we spoke about it, was attacking Eastwood through their set piece because that’s where their dominance has come from this year,” said Warringah coach Mark Gerrard.

“For us it was about being really hard on ourselves and taking it to them which I believe we did.”

Warringah No. 12 Tyson Davis said taking on the Eastwood forwards was the benchmark for his side.

“Eastwood have really been dominant in their forward pack over the last few rounds,” Davis said.

“So that was our priority, to stop their go forward upfront. And that makes it easier for us in the backs rather than being on the back foot at the set piece.

“It was definitely a forwards’ dominated game and to match them at set piece and then get a penalty try from a scrum is just awesome.”

Warringah’s forwards will have to produce a repeat performance and then some this weekend when they face the imposing University pack that includes three current Super Rugby players.

The Rats go high in a lineout against Eastwood. Picture: Karen Watson

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And Rats skipper “Slammin” Sam Ward said the effort against Eastwood has given the team a big shot of confidence leading into the showdown this week.

“We knew they had a great scrum, you watch it last week against Easts, they were walking over the top,” Ward said.

“And for us to do that to them shows how good our scrum is.

“You want your set piece to be strong and ours is strong.

“We know we can play to that and use our set piece as a tool,” he said.

Besides the Warringah forwards, winger Harry Jones reminded everyone he can be a matchwinner with an impressive two-try performance.

Warringah winger Harry Jones crosses from one of his two tries on Saturday. Picture: Karen Watson.

Gerrard, who was named Shute Shield coach of the year last week, has guided Warringah into the grand final at his first season in charge.

“The challenge this week is about the mental side of rugby, I believe in that side of the game a lot,” he said.

“It’s about you being up for the challenge in a really tough game like that.

“We want to back ourselves and give ourselves every opportunity we can.

“Overall I’m just really happy for the guys because we put a lot of hard work and a lot of time into this and we’ve given ourselves this opportunity at the end of the season.”

But Gerrard warned the team will have to be far more disciplined in the grand final.

“The penalty count was something like 16-5 (against Eastwood) so if we want to be better and compete at the back end next week, we can’t afford to give 16 penalties away and expect to win a game,” Gerrard said.