2008 Tooheys New Shute Shield launched today
25.03.2008
Sydney Club Rugby season will kick off this weekend with the official season launch of the 2008 Tooheys New Shute Shield taking place today at the IBM Centre.
The 2008 season is focused on ‘good honest Rugby in your own backyard’, which is exactly what the Tooheys New Shute Shield will deliver over the six-month season. This year sees a return to a full home-and-away round of matches, local derby rounds, landmark implementation of the Experimental Law Variations (ELVs) and a prevalence of high quality players returning to club Rugby on a regular basis.
“This certainly is an exciting season for club Rugby,” said NSWRU Chief Executive Officer Jim L’Estrange. “For the first time since 2001 the Tooheys New Shute Shield will be played out over a full series of home-and-away matches, while Grand Final Day will see all four grades return to Concord Oval on what should be a fantastic occasion.
“We are going to see all of the ELVs played across the top four grades, which will give the IRB one of its biggest testing grounds for the new laws.
“Round 11 and the final round of competition are both local derby rounds, which will see some of the traditional match-ups all take place on the one day – Randwick-Easts, Manly-Warringah, Norths-Gordon – there’s sure to be fireworks in these rounds.
Mr L’Estrange highlighted the fact that the release of unselected NSW squad members back to their squad on a week-to-week basis was a win-win-win situation for the player, the club and the state.
“This year, unselected players will be released back to their clubs each week to strengthen their game, help their club and push for higher honours with strong performances.”
Seventeen HSBC Waratahs and HSBC Junior Waratahs players will be released back to their clubs for round one of the Tooheys New Shute Shield including David Lyons (Sydney University), Dan Palmer (Southern Districts), Luke Burgess (Eastern Suburbs), Jeremy Tilse (Sydney University), Ben Mowen (Randwick) and Ben Batger (Eastwood).
The match of the day will once again be broadcast each week on ABC Television, with the round one blockbuster seeing defending champions Sydney University travel to Manly Oval to take on the Phil Blake-coached Marlins. Coverage on ABC 1 starts at 3:00pm.
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