BY MARK CASHMAN

Local derbies and the passion that they bring to the surface are the life blood of the Shute Shield.

Well after we have been through the Manly v Warringah clash and the Randwick v Easts butting of heads at Coogee Oval this year the Gordon v Northern Suburbs match takes centre stage this weekend.

So where does the contest for the Baxter-Mortlock Shield sit in Sydney rugby’s eco-system?

Some say that some of the spice has gone from the encounter and it will be further diluted by the move to Woollahra Oval, but as far as Norths coach Zak Beer is concerned the edge is still there and that this week and all it brings is an important part of being a Shoreman.

“Our playing group is well aware of the history between the two clubs and they all welcome what this week brings,” Beer told Around The Traps.

“There have been some great encounters in recent times between the two clubs and the players see it as their duty to honour what has gone before us.

“The history is there and has been discussed this week but once we cross that white line we’ve got to execute what we need to execute.”

The change of venue away from Chatswood Oval because of the recent rain will give it a different feel but won’t change the look and feel of the 80 minutes.

Gordon love to move the ball around and Norths strength has been at set piece time so it’s a clash of styles.

Highlanders boss Dave Telfer is a “newbie” to this caper in first grade but has embraced the fixture and all it brings.

Telfer of course guided Gordon Colts in a number of these derbies but the Shute Shield is a whole new box and dice.

“Obviously, it’s exciting anytime we play Norths and it will have a bit of a different feel being played at Woollahra Oval,” Telfer said.

“But you focus on what you can control, and the fact is, we know we’re going to be on a good surface up against Norths.

“You shouldn’t need anything else to to get fired up for this game.

“We’ve been training this week on a synthetic surface, so we know what we are going to get.”

The 100th first grade game of Brandon Quinn and the emotion that that will bring will be key in there build up to the Highlanders.

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In past seasons the Shute Shield has been played out in two parts – the “front end” and the “back end”.

The “front end” generally features a host of new faces with a smattering (sometimes) of Super Rugby Pacific talent.

The “back end” sees Super Rugby talent not needed for Wallabies duties on deck with points to prove.

So which teams will benefit most from this metamorphosis that will click into gear once the Waratahs and the Western Force finish their season this weekend.

At first look you’d have to say that Sydney Uni, Easts and Gordon will add to their depth significantly for the run home.

The Beasties may well pick up Teddy Wilson and Jack Bowen to add to a team that is already chugging along nicely.

Gordon can add Joey Walton if his French club allows him to have a farewell at Chatswood Oval along with recruits Charlie Gamble and Miles Amotesero.

Uni will be helped by a variety of Super talent with the most obvious being Clem Haloholo.

But what will help John Manenti most is the ability to have more time together on the training ground that is hampered during the Super season.

Norths would love to see more of Max Burey while Apolosi Ranawi will certainly add to the depth up front.

At Coogee Oval Triston Reilly, Lawson Creighton, Jack Barrett, Onita Finau and even Isaac Kailea will help the Randwick cause.

The influx of talent throws a degree of uncertainty into the run to the playoffs – how good is that!

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They say it’s a tough nut to crack but the Two Blues have just announced a major partnership with Westfield Sports High.

The move sets up one of the most exciting rugby pathways in NSW.

In the past the school has produced a long line of NRL stars that in recent times have include Jason Saab and Stefan Utoikamanu but this brings the game they play in heaven to the table.

It will give rugby athletes a pathway from schoolboy rugby into the Two Blues Colts, Women’s and Senior programs.

The Two Blues brand will feature on the Westfields Sports High School bus and playing jerseys, symbolising a shared vision to grow rugby union across Western Sydney.

Together, both organisations will work closely to identify, support and develop emerging players through quality coaching, mentorship and opportunities on and off the field.

Many were obviously involved in getting g this over the line but it is well done to Randy Basra and Sailosi Tagicakibau.

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A few weeks back there was some talk about taking an entire round of the Shute Shield to the country and I must admit that it does have legs.

Sydney Rugby Union chairman Grahame O’Donnell was even quoted in the wider media that he would like it to happen.

Discussions around the “tables of knowledge” that Around The Traps frequents have been talking of taking one complete round to one single destination.

Whether that be at a place like Mudgee or Cowra and have all six Shute Shield games staggered over Friday night, Saturday and then finishing off on the Sunday.

Logistically there may be some holes in that idea so in the interest of polite discussion I am suggesting that we take two games each to three different regions.

Let’s take the Round 6 fixtures where Norths took on Eastwood at Cowra and Gordon played their game against the Manly Marlins at the magnificent Glenn Willow Stadium in Mudgee.

Ratchet on the Wests v Warringah match to Cowra and the Two Blues v Souths game to Mudgee and you get some idea how things could work.

The Randwick v Sydney Uni could then be teamed with the Easts v Hunter Wildfires game at say Tamworth and we are cooking with gas.

Colts games from the “home” clubs could also be added to give a three match menu and you’ve got a product to sell to the local authorities.

I’d be interested to hear feedback on this model.

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They threw the mould out when they made Northern Suburbs life member Bill Randall who sadly passed away a couple of weekends back.

Bill was in his early 90s but as this column reflects on his life and times it goes so much deeper than the 228 senior games that he played for the red and blacks.

I’ll let some words from the club newsletter tell the story.

“(Bill was) a tough, uncompromising loose forward from an era when mouthguards were unheard of and physicality was simply part of the game, Bill gave everything to the jersey.

“Stories from teammates and family paint the picture of a fiercely competitive footballer who played the game hard, debated it passionately, and carried the spirit of Norths with him for life.

“Like many great clubmen of his era, Bill’s connection to Norths extended well beyond matchdays.

“Whether it was helping identify country talent, maintaining lifelong friendships with generations of Shoremen, or preserving decades of Club memorabilia and history, Bill remained deeply invested in the place he loved most.”

He will be missed.

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Most readers of this column will have seen the media about the hard times that Enrique ‘Topo’ Rodriguez has landed himself in.

‘Topo’ has been living down the south coast of NSW and battling some mental health issues and the passage of time.

He’s started up a GoFundMe campaign to help him get back on his feet and into the best shape he can be.

A couple of former Wallaby teammates are working behind the scene to help and there is talk that he may head back to Argentina to be with his elderly mother.

He played in a golden era for the game in this country and deserves some help.

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It’s an idea that just makes so much sense and I reckon if it’s played at the right time it would attract a pretty handy crowd.

What I am talking about here is the Heritage Cup a post season fixture that pits a team of British and Irish expats against a Pacific Warriors side.

In September in Australia with the selection of both teams coming from the club scene.

I’m hearing that September 27 at the Eric Tweedale Stadium will be the most likely arrangement, some weeks after the Shute Shield grand final with time for the teams to be properly prepared.

The Pacific Warriors would be made of players of Pasifika heritage and include those who have fallen outside the Super Rugby radar.

The Warriors will be managed and coached by former internationals Sailosi Tagicakibau, Mark Gerrard and Campese Ma’afu amongst a few others.

The expats will be coached by former Shute Shield coach of the year Harry Fehily, along with Dan Parks and  Ben Herring.

It’s got legs I reckon.