Shute Shield: Will Coogee Oval become a sevens heaven in 2020?
By MARK CASHMAN
Coogee Oval could well become “sevens heaven” as the 2020 Shute Shield plays out in these Covid-19 affected times, but as Randwick head coach Ben McCormack stressed this week it’s a matter of waiting to see what happens.
Four members of Tim Walsh’s national squad - Dylan Pietsch, Simon Kennewell, Lachie Miller and Henry Hutchison - have all put their hand up to play for the Galloping Greens this year in the wake of the postponement of the Tokyo Olympics.
All outstanding rugby athletes and ambitious to succeed, but how they adapt to rigours of the XV-man game and the Shute Shield are, as McCormack says, yet to play out.
“Sevens is a very different game these days so at this stage I am not too sure where they will all fit in,” McCormack said.
“I must admit that it’s a good headache to have at this stage of the year but as of this point in time we have not kicked a ball or made a tackle so we will just have to wait and see where they all land