By Jonathan B Geddes

EASTERN Suburbs coach Ben Batger describes Saturday’s top-of-the-table clash with Warringah as arguably the most anticipated Shute Shield clash he has been involved in.                 

The grand final rematch at Rat Park sees the standout sides in the Shute Shield go head-to-head for the first time in 2026. Defending premiers Warringah are on top of the table, one spot and one point ahead of Easts. Both teams have won 11 games and lost one.

Batger admits he has been looking forward to this game for a fair while.

“On the back of last year’s grand final and the way this year has panned out, most people would say we have been the two most dominant teams,” Batger told Rugby News. “It is one you have in the calendar and keep one eye on.

“It is arguably the most anticipated game in the Shute Shield that I have been involved in. It’s a true heavyweight match-up, you’d say.”

A BIG CHALLENGE

HIS thoughts were echoed by his Warringah rival Josh Holmes, who said: “This is going to be the hardest game we have played to date. It is also something that excites us – we want to play good teams, and Easts are a really good team.

“This is definitely a game we are looking forward to and a big challenge.”
Like Batger, Holmes has also been eagerly awaiting this game.

“Every week when you check the scores, probably the main one you look at is ‘how did Easts go’,” Holmes admitted.

“It has worked out pretty well – we are both 11 wins and one loss each and one point in it.

“They have been playing some pretty good rugby, they have been putting some pretty good numbers on teams lately.”

THE DANGERMEN

BOTH teams have threats right across the park, which makes the game all the more enticing.

Batger said a key for his team will be to nullify the in-form Warringah backrowers Luke Reimer, Zac and Jake Barnabas.

“With Barnabas times two and Reimer, they’ve been stealing ball for fun, and that ruins your attacking flow – so we’ve got to make sure we hold the ball and eliminate that,” he said.

“Then you want to stop guys like (fullback), Ben Marr, (winger) Charlie Tupu and now (centre) Hudson Creighton getting into any of that unstructured football which the Rats do very well.”         

Holmes earmarked Easts’ halves amongst the big dangers facing his side on Saturday.

“I think (halfback) Teddy Wilson is playing pretty good footy,” he said. “He’s a great halfback, and he is playing confidently.”

That description carries a lot of weight because Holmes is a former No. 9 champion himself who dominated the Shute Shield while playing for Warringah.

Holmes said it also presented a great opportunity for his halfback Ben Fuhiniu, who has been developing into a top-class No.9 and is something of a quiet achiever in the Rats’ team.

“Benny has also been playing some good footy, and he needs to step up and go to the next level and go with someone who has been playing Super Rugby week in-week out and is at that level in Shute Shield,” Holmes said.

“Obviously (No.10) Jack Bowen is pretty good at guiding them around the park and (lock) Josh Bokser is a smart football player and leads them well with smart decisions that put them in the right positions around the field.” 

CHAMPIONSHIP SHOWDOWN  

EASTS will go into the game as favourites based on their recent form, having scored 240 points and conceded only 32 in the last four weeks.

“We’re trying to stay grounded, we know it certainly won’t be that easy on the weekend,” Batger said.      

Holmes said the build-up to the game only added to the anticipation for this clash.

“The drag-out of the two grand final teams not playing each other for 13 rounds has been good, and I think there has been a lot of interest,” he said.

There is another reason why the day will be so big. Easts are leading the club championship, and the Rats are breathing down their necks.

“Our goal was to compete for the club championship and at the moment we are three points behind Easts,” Holmes said. “It is a massive day for us.”