2023 didn’t quite pan out as planned for Randwick backrower Ben Houston but at the end of it, the 25-year old couldn’t have been happier. 

In the space of a few months, Houston jumped from a stint with the West Tigers NRL squad into a struggling Randwick first grade side, then helped turn the Galloping Greens into the eventual Shute Shield premiers. 

“No one has really mentioned it but we were 2 from 5 early on in the season but momentum can be so important, particularly in the Shute Shield,” Houston told Rugby News. 

“We had such a new playing group last year that we knew it would take some time to click, but in saying that, I was always pretty confident that it would.”

Houston said he has no regrets over his four-month flirtation with the 13-man code but said he was very happy to be back playing rugby again. 

“I really just wanted an opportunity to play professional footy and while I wanted it to come in Super Rugby and that’s still my goal, the league opportunity came and I just jumped at it,” he said. 

“I really enjoyed my four months and I improved a lot from a fitness and a skills perspective, but my dream has always been to play rugby and I think I made the right decision to come back.”

Houston has developed into one of the Shute Shield’s most consistent and dominant forwards over several seasons and led Randwick to last year’s grand final on the back of an 11-match unbeaten streak. 

On a day at Leichhardt Oval that Randwick fans will never forget, Houston and his teammates watched on as the club’s fourth grade and third grade sides started the day in style. 

“As a first grade group, we watched fourth grade and then third grade and we were so excited for them, we were celebrating as if we’d had a couple of beers,” he laughed. 

“To be honest though, I think that helped us with the day because our focus was on those games while they were on and we weren’t really even thinking about our game. 

“Personally, I was so invested in both of those games, it really took my mind off our match which was probably a good thing in the end.”

The only Randwick grade side that didn’t feature that day, was arguably the most dominant all season according to Houston, but still played an important role in the lead up to the grand final. 

“If you had of asked me at the start of the finals series, which Randwick side I thought would win the comp, I would have said second grade without a doubt. 

“They were a really strong team all year and some of the toughest training sessions we had were our opposed sessions against 2s. 

“Although only 23 boys got to run out on grand final day, I think a fair bit of credit needs to go to our second grade squad. We were able to be so competitive on Saturdays because our training against them had been so competitive during the week.”

While Houston said he felt for the players that missed out on grand final success, he said the club can use the circumstances to their advantage as Randwick chase back to back Shute Shield premierships. 

“Our colts were also unlucky towards the backend of last season and a lot of them watched the success we had in grade last year and want a taste of that as well. 

“I think that is what is going to drive things this year. All of us players are hungry and we know that we are going to need to fight really hard to earn a jersey, before we worry about any opposition.”

From a personal perspective, Houston is also hoping he can emulate the trajectory of Irish teammate Cormac Daly, who picked up a Super Rugby contract with the QLD Reds on the back of a dominant 2023 Shute Shield season with Randwick. 

“Cormac became one of my closest mates last year and to watch him pick up a Super Rugby contract on the back of his form with Randwick, I was thrilled for him. 

“I just really want an opportunity because I know I’ll take it with both hands. 

“It all starts with playing good rugby in the Shute Shield though and performing well as a team for Randwick. 

“If we’re winning, guys are going to get noticed just like Cormac did and I’m hoping the same thing happens for me sometime soon.”