The oldest provincial rugby competition in Australia kicked off last week and with the Waratahs having the bye in Harvey Norman Super Rugby Pacific, a host of players are set to line up for their club sides in the Charter Hall Shute Shield.
The bye has come at the perfect time for the Waratahs, with ten players called into the Wallabies squad on the Gold Coast, and a large number of players carrying minor injuries due to a heavy workload from ten matches in ten weeks beginning in the pre-season.
Waratahs Head Coach Darren Coleman was pleased to be able to get a large portion of his squad some valuable playing time in the Charter Hall Shute Shield.
“Obviously with a Super Rugby bye it’s a great opportunity for us to get some of the players who haven’t had big game time back to their clubs,” Coleman said.
“Finding that balance between overworking the players and injury risk while getting them match practice is a tricky part of the puzzle that we have to try and manage.
“But we have a good portion of the squad that is going back to play their clubs this week and I know they’re excited to put in a good performance for their clubs.”
Headlining the Waratah’s return to club rugby will be the battle of the brothers when Teddy and Harry Wilson square off in Eastern suburbs clash with Eastwood at TG Milner.
Teddy Wilson (Eastern Suburbs) made his Waratahs Super Rugby Pacific debut off the bench against the Reds at Suncorp Stadium two weeks ago, while Harry (Eastwood) spent the summer with the side during the pre-season and recently starred in Waratahs A’s matches.
Teddy has been named at scrumhalf for Easts while Harry will line up at outside centre for Eastwood. The youngest of the brothers, Teddy, is excited about the chance to play against his brother for the very first time.
“This is going to be the first time we've ever played against each other, at any level of footy. So, to get to play him in a first-grade match in Shute Shield is special for the family,” Wilson said.
“There’s been plenty of banter this week which has been good.
“Harry’s been his typical self, confident, obviously saying he’s going to take my head off and stuff like that but I’m keeping to myself. I’m not saying too much just yet as we’ll just see what happens on Saturday.”
All the clubs in the Shute Shield are represented at the Waratahs, and the young scrumhalf described why the players love getting back to their clubs when they can.
“I think it's just the culture, it’s playing with your mates,” Wilson said.
“There's nothing better than that, to be honest. That's why everyone loves it.
“There's always a bit of rivalry between the clubs which makes it more personal. So, all the boys look forward to that.”
Once again, every match of the Charter Hall Shute Shield will be available to watch live on Stan Sport, giving fans the opportunity to watch the entire season from the comfort of their homes.
For more information on the Charter Hall Shute Shield including fixtures, ladder, and news and updates click here
Waratahs playing in Shute Shield in Round 2:
Sydney University v Randwick – University No.2 Oval 3 pm
Hugh Bokenham (Sydney Uni), Tom Horton (Sydney Uni), Tiaan Tauakipulu (Randwick), Triston Reilly TBC (Randwick), Nick Chan (Randwick)
Eastwood v Eastern Suburbs – TG Milner Field 3 pm
Archer Holz (Eastern Suburbs), Teddy Wilson (Eastern Suburbs)
Warringah v Northern Suburbs – Pittwater Park 3 pm
James Turner (Northern Suburbs)
Southern Districts v Gordon – Forshaw Park 3 pm
Mahe Vailanu (Gordon), Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco (Southern Districts)
Manly v West Harbour – Manly Oval 3 pm
Langi Gleeson (Manly), Max Douglas (Manly), Carlo Tizzano (West Harbour)
Western Sydney v Hunter Wildfires – Eric Tweedale Stadium 3 pm
Ruan Smith (Hunter Wildfires), Tevita Funa (Western Sydney)
