Shute Shield: How Craig Bellamy and Phil Gould helped Warringah’s grand final plans

AFTER claiming an emotional grand final win last year, Warringah coach Darren Coleman sought two of rugby league’s most successful coaches to find out the secrets of going back-to-back.

AFTER claiming an emotional grand final win last year, Warringah coach Darren Coleman sought two of rugby league’s most successful coaches to find out the secrets of going back-to-back.

“I did a lot in the off-season around professional development, I spent a lot of time with people who had backed up championships, I spent a week with Craig Bellamy at the Storm, I went and spoke with Phil Gould,” Coleman said.

“I tried to figure what made champion teams be able to back it up and - we haven’t done it yet - but there were a few good tips out of that.”

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After their maiden premiership in 2017, Coleman has got the Rats back to the decider this season.

But standing in their way is an imposing Sydney University side that easily won the minor premiership and will be favourites to win, with Wallabies Tolu Latu and Nick Phipps parachuted into their side.

Warringah claimed a heartwarming victory over Northern Suburbs last year, dedicating the win to clubman Lachlan Ward who had passed away after collapsing during a fifth-grade match earlier in the year.

Sydney Uni captain Rohan O’Regan (left) and Warringah skipper Hamish Angus with the Shute Shield at North Sydney Oval ahead of Saturday’s grand final.

Lachlan’s brother Sam Ward led his side to an incredible win and was lifted upon his teammates shoulders afterwards.

“Some people last year said we probably did it on the back of emotion, sure we had a lot of emotional energy that in hindsight probably helped our cause,” Coleman said.

“As a team we thought if we could do it again, it would probably be a better sporting achievement, we actually know we’re genuinely the best football team.”

But Uni coach Rob Taylor has eyes only on breaking his club’s recent lack of a first grade trophy.

Between 2005-13, Uni won eight of nine Shute Shield premierships. They’ve not won since.

The introduction of Latu and Phipps to a squad already featuring Jake Gordon, Paddy Ryan, Harry Johnson-Holmes and Brad Wilkin gives them a huge boost.

“I think people have forgotten Tolu wasn’t wanted by the Waratahs at the start of the season,” Taylor said.

“He played pre-season with us and started the first six games of the season. He’s played the equal most amount of games as a hooker for us.

“Tolu goes back as a 15-year-old playing in out third colts team, so there’s a lot of history there. He’s very much part of the team who was there from the start.”

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika, chief executive Raelene Castle and chairman Cameron Clyne will be among the estimated 15,000 spectators at the North Sydney Oval for the match.

SHUTE SHIELD GRAND FINAL

SYDNEY UNIVERSITY vs WARRINGAH

Saturday, 3:10pm

North Sydney Oval

TV: Live on 7TWO

Sydney University (1-15): Matt Sandell, Tolu Latu, Paddy Ryan, Lachie Swinton, Dave McDuling, Nick Champion de Creispigny, Brad Wilkin, Rohan O’Regan (captain), Jake Gordon, Stu Dunbar, James Kane, Will McDonnell, Guy Porter, Harry Potter, Tim Clements

Reserves: Tom Horton, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Chris Talakai, Jack Sharrett, Viliame Cocker, Nick Phipps, Theo Strang, Henry Clunies-Ross.

Warringah (1-15): Rory O’Connor, Luke Holmes, Harry Rorke, Sam Thomson, Jack Tomkins, Tom Preece, Mahe Vailanu, Sam Ward, Josh Holmes, Hamish Angus (captain), Esera Chee-Kam, Sailosi Tagicakibau, Seb Wileman, Tyson Davis, Dave Feltscheer

Reserves: Ruaridh Mackenzie, Faavae Sila, Baxter King, Emmanuel Meafou, Maclean Jones, Mark Gerrard, Myles Dorrian, Harry Jones.