The Shute Shield - bigger and better in 2006

Being the comp where the bulk of Australian S14 players have cut their teeth, the NSW preseason and regular season is one to watch with interest for the immediate future of the S14 squads and post '07 Wallabies.


http://www.rugby.com.au/news/the_shu.../section/21893

The Shute Shield - bigger and better in 2006

January 16, 2006 - 3:52pm
Story by: NSWRU

The long-awaited expansion of the Shute Shield competition will become a reality in April when the 2006 competition kicks off with two new teams and a whole new format.
The draw for the 2006 competition has been released, with new teams Central Coast and Illawarra set to make their debuts in week two, against competition heavyweights Warringah and Sydney University respectively.
"Season openers don't come any harder than the Rats and Uni," NSWRU Chief Executive Fraser Neill said.
"But the Central Coast and Illawarra will be well prepared, and with both teams boasting a significant number of players with Sydney experience there won't be any doubt as to what they're in for.
"It's also a fantastic opportunity for fans of the Waves (Central Coast) and the Illawarriors (Illawarra) to get out and see what the Shute Shield's all about," Neill added.
The season proper kicks off on Saturday, April 1, with six matches across two pools of teams to be played across Sydney.
2005 champions Warringah take on Gordon in Pool A, while runners up Uni host Manly in Pool B.
The other matches in Pool A see West Harbour taking on Randwick and Easts playing host to Parramatta, while in Pool B Eastwood goes up against Penrith and Southern Districts play Norths.
The competition will be held over seven rounds, with one weekend of semifinals featuring the top two teams from each pool leading into the Shute Shield Final on Saturday, May 27.
Click http://www.nswrugby.com.au/verve/_re...Draw_Shute.pdf for a full draw for the 2006 Shute Shield.