Words MARK CASHMAN

We’re into Round Two of the Shute Shield and 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:

GREAT to see rookie head coach Cameron Treloar get out of the blocks last weekend in his new job as head coach at Concord Oval.

The Pirates got home 17-15 in the big battle of the west against the Two Blues thanks to a penalty try from a rolling maul.

‘Tree’ isn’t trying to over complicate things with the West Harbour boys, keeping it simple by playing for field position and relying on strong set piece work.

I’m sure the razzle and dazzle will come but that’s obviously a work on for later in the Shute Shield season.

Treloar has taken leave from his career in the NSW police force to coach Wests and when he spoke to the Wandering Bear Podcast he showed why “his way” is connecting and working.

“They talk about having hard conversations as coaches, in the police force you have to tell people they are going to jail or that a loved one might have died. This is very serious thing. It gives you perspective,” Treloar offered.

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INTERESTING to see where the Highlanders land over the next couple of rounds after their “week from hell”.

They lost to Souths last weekend but looked pretty stoic in defence and when you consider the week that they had in the lead up to Round One I reckon Brian ‘Billy’ Melrose would have been pretty proud of the effort.

“It wasn’t a dummy-spit. I just can’t work in places where things aren’t all right. You’ve got to stand up for your principles sometimes,” Melrose told Code Sports’ Brendan Bradford.

It takes a lot to get things humming on the field and a backroom that’s working as one with the footy department is one of those variables.

Matt Glasscott, the man who got Darren Coleman on board all those years ago, is back as president and that can only be a good thing!

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A NUMBER of the Shute Shield clubs have started up their own junior academies with Northern Suburbs the latest.

Randwick of course have been in this space for a number of years and run their very popular academy sessions over the summer with good numbers and the support of a number of their big hitters including Morgan Turinui, Stephen Hoiles and Justin Harrison as well as the first graders.

Norths have joined the party and their academy now has close to 250 Shute Shielders of the future registered.

They are also kicking off a girls skills academy for U13s, U14s and U16s – a huge area of growth for sport all over Sydney.

A number of the Shoremen’s first grade side are helping out on the skills front and head coach Zak Beer is a big backer.

The academy kids will be front and centre at Norths’ game this weekend at North Sydney Oval against Southern Districts.

They will watch the side warm up and then form a tunnel for the players to run through.

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THE 1973 Wallabies reunion was quite an occasion last weekend and culminated with a dinner and carry on at the Crowne Plaza at Coogee.

Wallabies from all over the country flew in to Sydney and with a few hours to kill on Saturday afternoon a number of them headed off to the Shute Shield.

Tony Shaw and Dick Cocks were sighted at Woollahra Oval and nicely primed for the night ahead.

The reunion’s guest list included Shaw and Cocks as well as Ron Graham, Reg Smith, Mark Loane and Peter Rowles to name just a few.

A good time I am told was had by all! 

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I’LL TELL you what Rugby Australia is getting their money’s worth out of “Everywhere Eddie” – Wallabies coach Eddie Jones.

On top of always seeming to be at every Super Rugby game on these shores he’s showing his face at a number of junior midweek training sessions – the latest being the Manly Savers juniors on the northern beaches earlier his week.

The Savers Under 14s loved the catch up and chat with the big dog!

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THERE’S been some big units turn out in the Shute Shield over the years – many will remember big Bill Cavubati, the Fijian prop who tipped the scales at pretty close to 165kg in the 1990s.

The Woods of course had ‘The Bus’ Chris Hala in their midfield in the early 2000s. He was tough to get on the ground and was the basis of their great run of premierships.

The Hunter Wildfires have one of those sort of units in their midst with Ngaruhe Jones coming off the bench in Newcastle last weekend and scoring a vital try from close range.

Around The Traps reckons he’s the biggest unit currently playing Premiership Rugby – am I right?

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RUGBY NEWS correspondent Jon Geddes doesn’t mind an afternoon at the Shute Shield and when it’s teamed with some lovely nibbles, good company and a few refreshments it’s heaven on earth.

Geddes was in his usual spot in the hospitality area at Rat Park last weekend when Warringah took on Randwick and came away impressed with the company he kept.

The Federal Member for Mackellar Dr Sophie Scamps was there with her husband Adam Magro, the former Uni of NSW, Randwick and Brumbies centre and wing.

Geddes said the conversation was invigorating and showed that Dr Scamps knows the difference between a tight head prop and a right winger.

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I’M HEARING that Southern Districts new coach Jayson Brewer has been a breath of fresh air at Forshaw with the Rebels showing a willingness to throw the ball around in their game against Gordon last weekend.

There’s a number of new faces in their lineup with the club picking up a number of Kiwi recruits with pretty handy CVs.

And they are being steered around the field by a heady No.10 in Welshman William Thomas, who looks more than handy.