Shute Shield 2020: Penrith Emus, John Muggleton to prove west needs rugby

John Muggleton has set his new Penrith Emus side a D-Day to be turning heads in the Shute Shield club rugby comp in 2020.

The Rats and Penrith after a game of Shute Shield back in 2017. Pic: Karen Watson.

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When Penrith return to the Shute Shield for the first time since 2018 later this month they will be a team on a mission led by a coach with a big aim.

Former Wallabies defensive coach John Muggleton has given his men a date he wants to see them being competitive in the COVID-19 delayed competition.

He also wants his charges to be impressive enough they are playing proof the west needs and deserves the Emus back permanently in the premier club rugby competition in the state.

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“We have had a hard start so not a great deal of expectation over the first four or five weeks,” Muggleton said ahead of round two awhich followed a bye in round one.

Penrith Emus players before the team was dropped from the Shute Shield.

“We are hoping by the time we meet Parramatta we have improved and created enough combination to be competition against the Two Blues and for the remainder of the season.

“We are judging ourselves by the way we play in the first half (of the season), how we improve and how our play structures go.”

Muggleton wants the Emus, who have been built from the ground up, to prove they need to be permanent fixture in the Shute Shield going forward.

“People are focusing on their local clubs right now. It’s a good completion and getting stronger,” Muggleton said.

Former Wallabies defensive coach John Muggleton during Super Rugby team pre-season training in Sydney back in 2010.

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“That’s why we need a team in Penrith. There is a community big enough to fill all the rugby league and rugby teams twice over.

“They need a rugby union team to aspire too, otherwise they just see the Panthers to aspire to.

“In the interest of keeping rugby strong in the west it is essential we do a good job and keep Penrith in the competition.

“We want them to be able to play in their own postcode.”

The Emus play their first game against Northern Suburbs at Bon Andrewsa Oval today.