Three-way battle for top spot in Shute Shield as Wallabies stars front new ad campaign for club rugby
Wallabies stars are out in force playing in or promoting club rugby this week.
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Wallabies Jack Maddocks, Karmichael Hunt, Jake Gordon and Nick Phipps will be playing in the final round of Shute Shield on Saturday as club rugby takes centre stage with a break in Test matches.
The strong crowds that have marked Sydney club rugby grounds this season are set to swell as several key games will decide the 2019 finalists.
The Rugby Championship will resume on Saturday week, giving the Shute Shield clear air this weekend for rugby fans to converge on local grounds.
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The final round of games coincides with a new television commercial released by club rugby organisers promoting the success of the Shute Shield in developing Wallaby talent.
Wallabies captain Michael Hooper and stars Bernard Foley, Kurtley Beale, Adam Ashley-Cooper and Jack Dempsey are among those featured in the ad.
Eastwood is looking to topple Warringah for the minor premiership but must defeat Eastern Suburbs if they’re any chance.
And with Easts fielding Wallaby sensation Maddocks at fullback their task will be tough.
Defending champions Sydney University could also claim the minor premiership if they defeat West Harbour and both Eastwood and the Rats lose.
Warringah play Southern Districts and a win will guarantee them top spot under first year head coach Mark Gerrard.
Gordon, who are seventh, will sneak into the top six playoffs if they defeat Western Sydney at Lidcombe Oval, and sixth-placed Easts lose to Eastwood.
This year, there will be back-to-back semi-finals played at North Sydney Oval on August 17, followed by the first Shute Shield decider at Parramatta’s Bankwest Stadium on August 24.
With rugby having been accused of ignoring Sydney’s west for too long, the new grand final venue is expected to mark future forays for the game into the area after the axing of Penrith from the Shute Shield last year.