By Jon Geddes; Image – Karen Watson

WARATAHS assistant coach Chris Whitaker says the Shute Shield is in healthy shape after watching his old club Randwick beat Northern Suburbs 17-15 in a grand final thriller that went down to the wire at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday.

He also revealed to Rugby News how the NSW Super Rugby franchise recognises the importance of the competition by encouraging as many players as possible turning out for their clubs.

And in a demonstration that they have a far greater appreciation of the rugby landscape than some of their predecessors, Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh and Waratahs’ head coach Darren Coleman were also both interested spectators on Saturday.

After the game Waugh caught the 6pm flight to Brisbane so he could watch the Hospital Cup grand final on Sunday.

“It was a great game, a great grand final,” said Whitaker, a genuine Waratahs’ and Galloping Greens’ legend.   

 “They were probably the two best teams of the year and there was two points in it –  it was massive, a good crowd, a great day – and a good win for Randwick.”

SHUTING FOR SUCCESS

LOOKING at the colour on the hill, where half was myrtle green and half red, Whitaker described the atmosphere as enormous.

“The beauty of it is the whole tribalism and for club rugby there is nothing quite like it,” Whitaker said.

Asked if  the Shute Shield was in a healthy state Whitaker replied: “100 percent, it just keeps producing players.

“You’ve got guys out there who are so good for their clubs.”

In a positive strategy, the current Waratahs regime want to get as many players as possible returning to the Shute Shield

Whitaker said in the past due to Covid players have suffered from very little game time.

“The more footy the boys can play, the better,” Whitaker said.

“So anyone who is fit and healthy, they are all encouraged to go back and play, there is no other option.”

He revealed a Waratahs’ custom, run by assistant coach Pauli Taumeopeau, which reinforces the players’ links with their Shute Shield teams.

“Every Monday morning we have a club wrap up, we get all the scores with the table up on the big screen,” Whitaker said. “All the boys cheer and the ones who won sit on one side of the room.

“They love it and there is such a good rivalry between all the boys at the Waratahs about their clubs.”

THE WATCHLIST

WHILE the Waratahs 2024 roster is pretty much full right now, chances will arise through next season due to injuries –  and the coaches will continue closely monitoring the Shute Shield.

A few players who caught Whitaker’s eye on Saturday were Norths outside centre  Henry O‘Donnell, his opposite number Matias Jensen and Norths fullback Reece Mau’u.

“He (Mau’u) was impressive, he runs the ball really well and does some good things,” Whitaker said. 

“We are always looking.

“There will be opportunities for players to come in and train and do some stuff,” Whitaker said.

THE RECIPE FOR SUCCESS

AS for Randwick’s amazing 2023 resurgence which culminated in their grand final victory, Whitaker said  they have had a really consistent squad all year.

He said club coach Morgan Turinui and first grade coach Stephen Hoiles have done a fantastic job, along with assistants Ben Hand and Rob Horne.

“They are building the whole club – they won the fourths and thirds and were undefeated in the seconds until last week,” Whitaker said. “And that is what is so big at Randwick, they won the club champs, it’s not just about first grade.”

On Saturday he said the Wicks halves pairing of Conor Tupai and Andrew Deegan were very good. He added that Irish secondrower Cormac Daly has been outstanding, really adding some grunt upfront.

As Rugby News recently highlighted, “the finishers” have become a crucial element in rugby teams. And that was shown by the impact of backrower Christian Poidevin when he came off the bench.

“He had four or five important plays in that second half – steals at the breakdown, getting over the ball and defensively stopping guys,” Whitaker said.