The Shute Shield is in hibernation for a few weeks in this lockdown but as always the phone has been ringing hot with all the news and views from the greatest club competition in Australia. Here’s what we are hearing:

By MARK CASHMAN

You get the feeling that the NSW Waratahs have got their man with the appointment last week of Darren Coleman as head coach for the next three years.

The 48-year-old Coleman will lead the Tahs for the next three years through what will be an uncertain time for the game at Super Rugby level here on the east coast of Australia.

So if they wanted a man who knows something about a re-build then he’s the perfect fit.

I’d imagine that one of the first things on his agenda will be the appointment of a set piece and breakdown coach because those talented young backs that are in this squad can do nothing if they don’t have any ball in the right parts of the field.

Coleman’s going to need a big nasty bloke at his side, stirring up the “dark side” that Wallabies coach Dave Rennie spoke of for his national team group.

That is something probably more important than the hiring of a GM of Rugby or whatever they like to be called these days.

Everyone’s talking about how great it is that ‘DC’ knows the Shute Shield like the back of his hand but that won’t matter much if his Waratahs hit Week Six and are one and five.

Results will matter but having the time for this squad to come together is also important – spinning the message will be needed from time to time.

Coleman’s was close to this job last time around when Ron Penney got the nod but I’m hearing that he absolutely “knocked the interview out of the park” and that got him past the other main contender John Manenti.

That’s a sign of maturity and confidence in what he wants to do with the Waratahs and he deserves everyone’s support.

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The Shute Shield participation agreement has been accused of many thing but one thing is for sure it has got all the premier rugby clubs to have a closer look at their operations.

Hard decisions are being in the north, south, east and west of Sydney to ready themselves for what lies ahead.

In between there’s the not so small matter of dealing with the pandemic and the economic realties that Sydney’s lockdown has brought to the table.

So it’s good to see that the Western Sydney Two Blues have taken the first major step to making sure that they are part of the Shute Shield next year and beyond.

They have advertised for a full time coach and are hoping to interview suitable candidates in coming weeks.

If you reckon you make a difference have a look on the Spoprtspeople website: https://www.sportspeople.com.au/jobs/66421-head-coach-western-sydney-two-blues

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Sydney Uni’s aggressive backrower Nick Champion Des Crespigny will be watching the Wallabies series against France in coming weeks with extra interest.

Des Crespigny has picked up a deal with Top 14 club Castres Olympique and with three members of the touring party including skipper Anthony Jelonch from the French club it’s a good way to “meet the family” before he heads over to Europe.

The Uni No.6 has been on the edges of Super Rugby here in Australia for some time but he just hasn’t been given a go.

His aggressive on the ball style of play will go down well in the Top 14 and I am sure that he will return to Australia from the deep south of France a better player.

I’d even go as far as to say that he’s one of those guys we shouldn’t have let go – but as they say “c’est la vie”.

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The resignation of the Wallaroos coach Dwayne Nestor grabbed all the headlines in the wake of the Super W final between the NSW Waratahs and the Queensland Reds at Coffs Harbour on the weekend.

It buried one of the more complete performances Rugby News has seen in a finals game – that of Tahs flyhalf Arabella McKenzie.

McKenzie played pretty close to the perfect game and showed that she knows a few things about catch, draw and pass.

She’s a Wallaroos certainty for the next decade or so and if she has the right people running off her is an absolute weapon.

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The Hunter Wildfires may not be seeing too much of Henry Stowers for the rest of the Shute Shield season after his outstanding performance for Manu Samoa against the Maori All Blacks on Saturday.

Stowers looked very much at home at Test level and is sure to be picked up by someone in Japan or Europe in coming months.

He was on the scrap heap when he came to Newcastle and has made the most of this chance – well done!

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Marlins Fillets is always a good source for stories in and around the Manly club.

But this story fascinated us a little more than any other of recent times.

Third-grade fullback Will Franklin attracted top money in the Ladies Day auction but delight soon turned to horror when he realised clubmate Harley Attwater was the successful bidder.

Attwater sealed the deal with an onstage kiss, declaring he was willing to track his prey to the end of the earth.

Marlins Fillets touched base with Franklin for his take on the situation.

“Harley is a gentleman and a good kisser but I’m not ready for a commitment. I told him we should just stay friends,” Franklin said.

Only on the northern beaches!

IMAGE: ANDREW QUINN / GORDON RUGBY