Shute Shield 2020: Southern Districts to trial new style in club rugby competition
There will be plenty of familiar faces in the side but rugby fans will still be in for a surprise when they see Southern Districts in this year’s Shute Shield.
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New Southern Districts coach Todd Louden has told fans to expect the unexpected when his side hits the paddock in the opening round of the Shute Shield.
Louden said the team, a blend of experienced and up-and-coming players, is working on producing a new, innovative and creative style of rugby ahead of the July 18 start of the club rugby competition.
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“We have torn up the way we used to play, looked at the state of rugby and tried to play a really different, adaptive style,” said new coach Louden.
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“There’s no better opportunity to do that than as when we have young guys coming through.
“We decided we wanted to play quite differently. It is more based on a running game and it’s unpredictable to say the at least.
“The shackles have been taken off our players but we have been working on defence and being disciplined.
“It’s been exciting to watch so far.”
Louden said the club is focused on developing and bringing up local talent but is unsure how the team will finish this season.
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“We are trying to promote from within,” he said.
“It’s hard to say how we will do. Prior to COVID-19 we would have been aspiring for finals and though we could push to that with such a young team.
“But there are so many unknowns now.
“Our aspiration is to cherish every game we have and to give it everything.
“We want to play every game like we have nothing to loose.
“Seize the day, sieze the moment is the mantra.”
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