Rugby News’ in form Shute Shield XV from the opening 7 rounds
By MARK CASHMAN
I always loved that story that All Black and Sevens legend Eric Rush told at a slurry of rugby lunches around the world.
It was the story about his journey to becoming All Black No.927 and the conversations that he would have with his father through the ups and downs of the game at the pointy end in New Zealand.
Rush would ring his father whenever an All Black side was named and in the early days lament about missing out the great honour.
His father would fire back quickly that that team selection was one man’s opinion and that he should continue the quest for selection unabated.
When finally the stars aligned and Rush got the nod to make his All Black debut against the ACT rep side (I think they were the Kookaburras at that stage) in Canberra in 1992 on a tour of Australia he excitedly rang his dad to share the news.
Rush Snr was as excited as a Maori dad could be and after some well dones were exchanged, deadpan as all get out fired back: “But just remember Eric that’s only one man’s opinion!”
And so we move from one man’s opinion to this man’s opinion about a side of the very best from the Shute Shield after seven rounds of competition.
It’s an interesting exercise and hopefully my selections stir some debate out there in club land.
First up the engine room:
1. ANDREW TUALA (Southern Districts): Been one of Souths best right from the first round of the competition. His scrummaging has been first rate and he is an absolute beast with ball in hand.
2. DECLAN MOORE (Sydney Uni): How could you leave a hooker out of your side when he has notched up 12 tries in seven games so far. Solid at scrum and accurate at line out.
3. CONOR YOUNG (Southern Districts): A durable tight head prop that Souths have been getting oodles of minutes out of. Can scrum and is quite effective around the field.
4. CHARLIE CALE (Eastwood): In his first year of Shute Shield footy and is doing a pretty good Tim Anstee impression at times for the Woods. Great at line out and a great ball carrier in the wider channels.
5. JOE TIMANI (Hunter Wildfires): Pretty close to the form lock of the past month of the competition and outstanding last Sunday against Easts. Needs a wee bit of work on his defensive line out work but big and athletic around the field.
Now the backrow:
6. BRAD HEMOPO (Northern Suburbs): Just about the best linking backrower in the Shute Shield at the moment and one of the reasons Norths are yet to stumble. Great line out option.
7. TOM SILK (Gordon): Coming into the sort of form now that made him the best opensider in the competition last year. Doesn’t shy away from the tough stuff and an expert jackeller.
8. KALI NACINA (West Harbour): This bloke has got himself fit and it’s showing. Great carrying the ball in some of the wider channels but also now working hard in defence.
The Halves:
9. TYZAK JORDAN (Southern Districts): Jordan is loving life behind the impressive Souths pack and it has revealed an excellent running game. Add on to that a crisp pass and you’ve got a pretty complete package.
10. ANGUS SINCLAIR (Northern Suburbs): I like a cool head at No.10. and Sinclair fits the bill for this team. He’s always clear in what he wants to achieve on the field and is savvy enough to be able to change tact if the situation demands.
The centres:
12. HARRY BUREY (Northern Suburbs): Another experienced hand who has been there and done that but is still playing with a spring in his step. Great option to get the go forward going when nothing is on.
13. NIC JOOSTE (Eastern Suburbs): Has come into his own in recent weeks for the Beasties and has shown some great running skills in this most difficult of channels.
The back three
11. REECE MAU’U (Northern Suburbs): Has been great on the left edge for Norths and has shown genuine pace and the ability to run all the right support lines that have led his handful tries this season.
14. JAMES TURNER (Northern Suburbs): The Waratahs have bought into ‘Jimmy the Jet’ and it’s been great to seen one of the best performer in the Shute Shield getting a crack. What I like about his game most is his work in the air and defence.
15. BEN MARR (Warringah): Got to have the Rats’ ‘Energiser Bunny’ in your starting XV. Lots of involvements from the back and he has an eye for a gap that only he can get through. Can come up to first receiver late in games to really get the party started.
How good it that!