Last time Randwick won the Shute Shield back in 2004, returning club legend and new first grade coach Steve Holies was a young backrower at the start of his playing career.

Almost 20 years later, he’s returned from the US to lead a Randwick side who many in Coogee believe are ready to compete for first grade premierships again.

Image: Ric McLellan

Overview with Steve Hoiles:

“Everyone is really excited like usual at this time of the year. We don’t get to play at Coogee for a few weeks but we’re all ready to go for this weekend against Warringah,” Hoiles told Rugby News.

“It’s hard to tell how much the competition has changed since I played, I haven’t seen a competition game yet. It’s definitely a younger competition and there are definitely a lot more overseas players coming across to play in the Shute Shield.