After leading Warringah to two premierships in the last decade, one as a player and the other as head coach, Josh Holmes has retained the majority of his squad for this year’s title defence.

Sydney Uni are the only team to defend their title in the last 10 years (2018 and 2019), which suggests the Rats will need to kick up a gear again to lift the Shute Shield again in early September.

Overview with Josh Holmes: 

“I think it was a positive coming off a premiership last year to have the Australian Club Championship to play for early on to give the boys an incentive to train hard through preseason,” Holmes said. 

“All the boys were super motivated to go again anyway, but competing for the Australian Championship against a side you don’t usually get to play was a great experience and It was good to cap the weekend off with a win.”

“Most of our boys were back in November. Because we went deeper into the competition, we adjusted their rest around that and brought them back a little later this time.

“As a club, we still think there’s a lot of improvement in us, not just as a team but individually as well.

“Talking to the boys, they just want to get better as footy players and as a group. They’ve kept a really good mindset. 

“We obviously won last year, but we don’t really talk about it anymore. We know teams are going to be up for it when they play us, so we don’t want to buy into any sort of champions mindset.

“It’s a new year, we’re in the same position as everyone else and we’ve got to earn it again, starting from round one.

2025: Premiers

Ins: Byron Smith (Southland), Bo Abra (Hunter), Josh Retter (New Zealand), Dane Terekia (Sydney Uni)

Outs: Coby Miln (North Harbour)

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

“I don’t think we’ll stray too far from what we do well,” the Shute Shield winning player and coach said. 

“We want to be a skilful team and stay connected between our forwards and backs.

“We’ve had a few personnel changes, particularly at the No.10 position, which gives us a chance to evolve and maybe play a slightly different style.

“There will be a few tweaks, but we don’t want to move away from our strengths.”

Player(s) to watch: 

“I think the two Barnabas brothers were outstanding last year and have started this season really well again,” Holmes said. 

“It’s crazy to me that a Super Rugby side isn’t looking at them.

“No matter what the game looks like, their skill level adds so much to the team. I’m expecting another big year from both of them.”

Who will Warringah play in this year’s grand final?

“I think the competition will definitely improve. Every team will be better this year so it’ll be pretty tight.

“Off the back of last season, Easts were very dominant and looking at their roster, you’d have to say they’ll be up there again.

“But I do think there’ll be a lot more movement and a few genuine contenders.”