Club rugby
Updated
Australian rugby
Easts smash 55-year Shute Shield hoodoo with one-point victory
Norths were left heartbroken for a second straight year despite a second-half fightback against the star-studded Easts in the Shute Shield grand final.
- by Iain Payten
Latest
The history, stinks and omens behind the Shute Shield decider
It’s been a spicy year of feuds, family and fantastic footy in Sydney club rugby. Here are six talking points for grand final day.
- by Iain Payten
‘Nowhere to hide’: How ruthless Norths plan to derail Easts’ premiership party train
Eastern Suburbs have qualified for six of seven grand finals across the grades and can hoist their first Shute Shield in 55 years. But first they have to get past the silent assassins of Sydney rugby.
- by Iain Payten
Opinion
Wallabies
He has played 33 minutes of Test rugby. But he could solve a looming Wallabies problem
Pumas flyer Mateo Carreras shapes as a major threat to the Wallabies, but Max Jorgensen may just have his measure if he gets the nod on the right wing.
- by Paul Cully
Beastie noise: Why rise of Sydney’s strongest rugby club has caused a loud stir
The resurgent Eastern Suburbs were club champions this year and are chasing their first Shute Shield since 1969 – but there is no shortage of rivals hoping they’ll stumble.
- by Iain Payten
‘It’s either yes or no’: Shute Shield teams consider awards boycott after club escapes penalty for breach
Just how many Test matches a Tongan prop has played became a central issue in a heated Shute Shield rules controversy.
- by Iain Payten
Shute Shield racist abuse proven but Easts cleared of code of conduct breach
A Sydney Rugby Union hearing has determined West Harbour players were subject to racial abuse at Woollahra Oval in February.
- by Iain Payten
Prominent Shute Shield club hit with breach notice over alleged racial abuse
Sydney Rugby Union is investigating allegations of a western Sydney club that its players were subject to racial vilification during a day of trials in Sydney’s east.
- by Iain Payten
This is now a high tackle in Shute Shield … and coaches believe it will improve rugby
In its 102nd year, the Shute Shield starts this weekend using a trial law to lower the legal tackling height to the sternum. The eyes of the world will be on the results.
- by Iain Payten
‘In the best interests of the game’: Rugby Australia to lower legal tackle height
The governing body will begin a two-year trial to lower the legal tackle height to below the sternum for competitions below Super Rugby level from February.
- by Jonathan Drennan and Iain Payten
Opinion
Rugby Australia
The great disconnect between grassroots rugby and Wallaby soap opera
While the future appears grim for professional rugby in Australia, the game’s heart will continue to beat strongly.
- by Malcolm Knox