We’re three weeks in to the Shute Shield ladder and Norths are the only undefeated side left in the competition after a handful of early season upsets. 

Here area few of the big takeaways from the opening few rounds of the 2022 season. 

Driving maul key to success

A few years back, it was impossible to win Shute Shield matches without a dominant scrum. That still might be true for some, but the most noticeable trend in the opening few weeks of the season has been the reliance by teams to score points from their attacking maul. 

If you can get the structure right and kick penalties to within 10 metres of the corner flag, the numbers suggest that Shute Shield sides are very likely to convert attacking lineouts into five pointers. 

The teams that learn to defend from that position will have a huge advantage. 

You can’t just be big, you’ve got to be mobile

The top few teams in the opening few weeks have one thing in common. They’ve got big, mobile forward packs that can shift the ball to space out wide. 

Norths, Sydney Uni and Manly have scored some sensational tries in the opening rounds that have seen the ball spread from forwards to playmakers to speedsters out wide. 

Norths are very, very good

Norths were a good team in 2021 and look even better this season. They towelled up Easts in the opening round and scored plenty of points against Warringah and Souths. 

They’ve got a lot of experience across the park and some exciting former colts pushing in to the top squad. It’s a dangerous combination for their rivals. 

The Students are rebuilding and quickly

It’s not overly surprising to see Sydney Uni back towards the top of the ladder just months after losing 13 of their first grade side from last year to contracts overseas. They’ve done it time and time again. 

But it’s still incredible to watch it in action. Sean Hedger has quickly converted lower graders and colts into classy first graders who look like they’ve been playing in the top grade for years. 

While the Students will face tougher challenges in the coming weeks, the early signs are very promising. 

It’ll be hard to get a seat at the Northern Beaches derby

There’s not much better in rugby than a derby between local rivals and we get our first taste of the Northern Beaches edition this weekend. 

Warringah have continued their development from last season and have won two from three, without star playmaker Ben Marr. 

But Manly have been the big improvers so far. They were unstoppable in the first half against West Harbour in round two and produced similar form in the opening 20 minutes against Randwick last weekend. If the Marlins can play like that for 80 minutes, we’re in for one of the games of the season at Rat Park on Saturday. 

Don’t write off Easts just yet

Easts had their pants pulled down at home against Norths on the opening weekend, then were beaten by Eastwood in a tight one a week later. They bounced back last week against Western Sydney and showed glimpses of the side that was talked up as one of the preseason favourites. 

Simon Kneebone has changed the way the Beasties play and is still trying to build combinations. It’ll likely take a bit of time, but there’s enough there to suggest Easts will be hard to beat later in the year. 

18-year old flyhalf Jack Bowen has taken everything in his stride so far and fullback Luke Glen looks like a serious talent. 

Two Blues rebuild is on

Western Sydney are already far more competitive than they’ve been in recent years and not just in first grade. In a great sign for the rebuilding club, the Two Blues second grade side are sitting third after two wins from three games, while third and fourth grade and both one from two.