Shute Shield: Smokey emerges to join Sydney Uni, Gordon, Norths, Eastwood as title chance
The usual suspects have been touted but there is also a smokey being bandied about as a serious contender to win Sydney rugby’s Shute Shield title this year.
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The favourites sit on top of the ladder but there is a team further down now being mooted as a competition smokey with the talent to cause a major upset in the Shute Shield.
Gordon and Northern Suburbs head the race for the Shute Shield finals but another club is now being talked about as a surprise contender to dominate the premier club competition.
While Gordon and Norths have been the competition pacesetters along with Eastwood and Sydney University, a team that struggled early has emerged as an outside to come from behind and win this year’s title.
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Eastern Suburbs’ 22-14 defeat of defending champions Sydney Uni last round turned heads and has moved the club up into the top six.
The club is emerging as a major danger due to the talent returning from the Waratahs which includes Tom Staniforth, Alex Newsome, Lalakai Foketi and Charle Gamble,
“Easts getting more players back makes them dangerous,’’ said Randwick coach Ben McCormack.
Eastwood coach Ben Batger said the tide of talent heading back to Easts has changed their look.
“You add five Waratahs in and it's a completely different side,’’ he said.
“They will be tough to beat.”
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Easts coach Pauli Taumoepeau said his side still has plenty of work to do to make the finals.
“We are just creeping into the six now. We are not out of the woods yet but we have benefited from the bubble being burst.’’
On Saturday Easts take on Manly, Gordon host Norths in the top of the table clash, Southern Districts play Hunter Wildfires, Sydney University play Randwick and Warringah take on the Two Blues.