Steve Hoiles left Randwick at the end of last season to coach a new MLR team based in Los Angeles and he’s taken a handful of his best players with him.

On top of that, some big names at Coogee retired over summer, creating an interesting challenge for new coach Shaun Berne in the months ahead.

Overview with Shaun Berne: 

“It’s great to be back involved in club rugby again, everyone is just so passionate, which makes it really enjoyable,” Berne told Rugby News. 

“Compared to professional rugby, players don’t move around clubland quite as much, although there’s still a fair bit of movement. Because of that, players really care about their clubs and that’s why the rivalries are as strong as they are. 

“I’m fortunate to return to Randwick on the back of a number of strong seasons under Steve Hoiles and Matt Bowman, who have both done a great job in recent years. 

“Behind the scenes, the club has a really good board and our general manager Mark Harrison has done a great job to get the club to where it is today. 

“So I inherit the club in a good place, but with success comes progression at this level, as all clubs know, and a number of our players have picked up professional contracts on the back of a few good years at Randwick. 

“We’ve got a game against a Japan U23s side coming up in a few weeks. They are coming to Australia to play a few games and we’re excited to welcome Eddie (Jones) back to the club and play another International match. 

“It’ll be a great experience for our guys on and off the footy field.”

2024: 3rd (lost to Norths 34-17 in preliminary final)

Ins: Isi Naisarani (Waratahs), Mick Courtney (Ireland), Dan O’Brian (returning – UK),  Lawson Creighton (QLD Reds), Archie Owlett (UK), Campbell Classon (Norths), Isaac Kailea (Melbourne Rebels)

Outs: Ben Houston (MLR – LA), Matias Jensen (MLR – LA), Nick Chan (MLR – LA), Dec Leaney (MLR – LA), Ben Sugars – LA/MLR, Jayden Blake (Aussie 7s), Thomas Nolan (Italy), Christian Yassmin (retired), Ed Kennedy (retired), Andrew Deegan (retired). 

What sort of rugby will we see from Randwick this year? 

“I’d be pretty silly if I came in and tried to change everything after all the good things Steve Hoiles has done and the success the club has had in recent years,” Berne said. 

“We didn’t win the first grade premiership last year, but we were right in the mix again a year after finishing as premiers. 

“So there’s no big secrets in our game style. We’ll try and play a style of rugby that our supporters want to come and watch and if we do that well, then we should get plenty of bums on seats at Coogee Oval. 

“It’s one of the lines in the Waratahs team song and I think it’s a pretty good mantra – play the game as it should be played.”

Player(s) to watch: 

“Oniti Finau is a really exciting young hooker who has a few more senior guys ahead of him at the Waratahs at the moment. 

“He played colts and Australian U20s and is having his first crack at grade this season. I think he’s a guy that will go well for us, just based on his own work ethic, his hunger and his desire. 

“He’s one of those players that wants to prove people wrong and is happy to put in the work to do that. 

“I think Angus Houston and Johnny Chan will have big years this year. With their older brothers leaving the club to play overseas, it gives them both a chance to step out of their collective shadows, which I think will be really good for both of them.

“We’ve also got a few backrowers that look good. Joel Ellis, Max Moore and Matt Stead have all been in and around first grade for a few years now and I think they’ll take a big step forward this season.”

Which two teams will play in this year’s grand final? 

“Well you’re only really asking about one side there,” Berne said. 

“That’s not an arrogance thing, but I’d hope most coaches think they are going to play in the grand final at this time of the year. 

“In terms of who we’ll play, well that’s the exciting part. It could be anyone and the Shute Shield has shown over the last few years that clubs are able to rebuild and have success pretty quickly at times. 

“Easts will have a target on their back that’s for sure. But money makes the world go round and if there is a salary cap in the Shute Shield, it’ll be interesting to see if they enforce it this year.”