The publication of plans to develop a competition to rival the National Rugby Championship has exposed even deeper divides within rugby's grassroots.

Disgruntled Sydney and Brisbane Premier rugby clubs are planning a new eight-team interstate championship to run in direct competition with the National Rugby Championship.

At least eight Brumbies – including Rory Arnold and Sam Carter are expected to be picked in the Vikings side before the National Rugby Championship season launch.

Kahurangi Tori Kapea is trying to carve out a career on the catwalk, but that doesn't mean she'll shy away from the tough stuff when she plays in the Canberra women's rugby union grand final on Saturday.

Jamie Marmont was a hero in an era where hearing the roar of a two-stroke engine chainsaw was commonplace at every Whites game.

Northern Suburbs have ended 41 years of heartbreak after beating Sydney University 28-15 to lift the Shute Shield for the first time since 1975.

A Kiwi from a rugby coaching dynasty has led a club rugby revival in Sydney.

It took a handful of phone calls from a club veteran to Wallabies coach Michael Cheika but Test rookie Tom Robertson has been cleared to play for Sydney University in Saturday's Shute Shield final. 

Sydney University captain Tom Carter says this will be his last year of club rugby and hopes his side can continue their impressive momentum with a win against Warringah in the Shute Shield semi-finals this weekend. 

Less than 20 hours after playing in what could be his last match for the Waratahs, the international hooker made a shock appearance for Parramatta against Sydney Uni.

Born and bred into a rugby family, Paremo Marsh raised eyebrows when she joined the Canberra Mustangs for the inaugural Ladies Gridiron League last year.

Former Waratahs centre and Sydney University captain Tom Carter believes their top of the table clash against arch-rivals Randwick will be decided at the breakdown.

At Randwick Rugby Club's season launch last Thursday, in a boardroom 38 storeys high looking out towards Sydney Harbour, ARU chief executive Bill Pulver arrived and took his seat at an event not many expected him to attend.

Former Wallabies coach and Randwick president Bob Dwyer has launched a scathing attack on ARU chief executive Bill Pulver for financially neglecting Sydney rugby clubs after asking for their help two years ago because the game's governing body was "going to go broke".

Injuries have struck early for NRC side NSW Country Eagles. And they're expecting to be pushed hard by Canberra Vikings on Saturday.

Eastwood have gone back-to-back in the Shute Shield for the first time in 12 years after a tryless 15-12 win over Manly at Concord Oval.

Despite errors creeping into their game, Randwick claimed their first Shute Shield win.

Sydney University centre Tom Carter won't go as far as to say the club "are the underdogs" of the Shute Shield competition this year.

The Gordon Highlanders came to Woollahra Oval and conquered Eastern Suburbs in their Shute Shield opener to clinch an away win they can owe to their strength at the breakdown.