Backrower Aden Ekanayake’s journey to the Junior Wallabies has been anything but typical.  The talented and tall, lanky forward graduated from Sydney’s Barker College as a 17-year old but was a direct beneficiary of the newly developed Sydney Juniors pathway that was created to open opportunities for young players in the Shute Shield colts’ competition.  “There were a lot of boys who were really talented in that side. Some were like me and young for their year at school, others had left school to do a trade,” Ekanayake told Rugby News.  “It’s a really good pathway because most o ..read more

A first half hat trick to Joeys No.8 Justice Taumoepeau proved the difference in his side’s 33-23 victory over Knox on the opening weekend of schoolboy trial matches in 2024.  Knox opened the scoring through hooker Sebastian Gyngell who broke away from an impressive maul from the home side, but Joeys quickly responded with Taumoepeau’s first of the afternoon.  Knox added two penalty goals and led 11-7 late in the first half, but Joeys converted territory into points each time they visited Knox’s end, with Taumoepeau barging over twice more to give his side a 21-11 lead at the break ..read more

Beware of the ‘Derby Hangover’. Randwick, Easts and Manly all lost a week after battling brutal local derbies, while Warringah needed a bit of luck to fight back and claim a controversial 29-26 victory over Sydney Uni. Elsewhere, Souths beat West Harbour to claim their first win of the season and Hunter came from behind to beat the Two Blues. Catch up on all the round five action below. Northern Suburbs 20-19 Randwick Norths gained a little revenge over Randwick for last year’s grand final loss by holding on to claim a tight 20-19 victory over the defending premiers in a scrappy game at North ..read more

By Jon Geddes WHEN Max Jorgensen hobbled from the field injured in Randwick’s 20-19  loss to Northern Suburbs in their grand final rematch on Saturday at North Sydney Oval, it was a big blow for the champion young fullback, the Galloping Greens and the embattled NSW Waratahs. “I think I’ve done my hammy,” a clearly disappointed Jorgensen told Rugby News on the sideline after the game. “I don’t know how bad, but it is not too good. “I went through a hole, tried to accelerate and felt it go. “I’m hoping for the best and get scans hopefully pretty soon next week.” The 19-year-old did not p ..read more

By Mark Cashman The Shute Shield will be front and centre when the Waratahs take on the Queensland Reds at Allianz Stadium on Friday May 31. Northern Suburbs take their home game against the Manly Marlins to the big show in what should be an exciting start to a night of good entertainment. The Tahs will also honour their Shute Shield links by playing in their respective club socks when they take on the Reds and there will be a juniors guard of honour for the two teams to run through. That’s not the only time that the clubs will be on show – the Beasties will play the Hunter Wildfires at Alli ..read more

After a horror run of injuries, Bond centre Tyler Campbell is relishing the opportunity to play consistent rugby and is quickly cementing himself as one of the premier backs in the Hospital Cup competition.  Campbell scored a try in Bond’s tight 19-12 win over Norths last weekend and said he’s loving every minute of this season, despite the Bull Shark’s slowish start to the year.  “It’s always tough travelling up to Norths and they are a much improved team this year which adds to it,” Campbell told Rugby News.  “They were really up for it and made us work for the win. I think we ..read more

Norths and Randwick will meet for the first time since last year’s grand final on what is expected to be a wet weekend of Shute Shield rugby. Elsewhere, Easts coach Ben Batger faces his former club Eastwood for the first time, Manly host Gordon, Hunter take on Western Sydney Warringah travel to play Sydney Uni and West Harbour and Souths will battle for their first win of the season when they meet at Concord Oval. Check out all the team news and analysis ahead of round five this weekend. Northern Suburbs v Randwick Max Jorgensen is set to make his Shute Shield debut for Randwick in Saturday’s ..read more

We’re a month in to the Shute Shield season and we’re starting to get a better understanding of each side’s potential for the season ahead.  Here’s what we’ve learnt so far.  Last year’s grand finalists remain the benchmark From the first four rounds, Randwick and Norths appear to be the best sides in the competition at this stage but neither side is perfect.  Both sides have won three of their first four matches and will meet for the first time since last year’s decider on what is expected to be a wet afternoon at North Sydney Oval this Saturday.  Despite a slip up again ..read more

He’s a red-headed prop from Lighting Ridge and loves nothing more than to scrum.  There’s a lot to like about returning Junior Wallabies front rower Jack Barrett, even after he shaved off his mullet.  As an underage player, Barrett was one of Australia’s best in 2023 and dominated at scrum time particularly in New Zealand in a two-match series against the Kiwis last May.  “The whole forward pack was up for it against New Zealand,” Barrett told Rugby News.  “In the front row we were working really well together and it just sort of happened. It’s always a big advantage when ..read more

Minor Premiers Randwick defeated an Eastwood side led by three-time Catchpole Medal winner Scott Fava to claim the 2004 Tooheys New Cup. Before the decider, Rugby News scribe Terry Smith published a recap of the year that was and just about every player across the competition earned a mention. RANDWICK  The revival of the Galloping Greens is almost complete. Only the grand final needs to be won for the first time since 2000 with an unbeaten record, a rare achievement.  Michael Cheika and David Knox have nurtured a mix of outstanding young talent in a way that should be a blueprint ..read more