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Super Rugby isn’t the only tournament that has re-started in Australia. Sydney’s storied Shute Shield competition kicked off last weekend with six games. Scattered among the teams were a half-dozen players who suited up in the 2020 Major League Rugby season and one recent USA international.
Old Glory DC co-captain Mungo Mason wore the No7 shirt for Warringah Rats in their first round loss to Sydney University at Pittwater Park. His DC teammate Jake Turnbull meanwhile was starting at loosehead prop for Randwick in a dominant win over Hunter Wildfires.
Turnbull’s step-brother Lindsey Stevens came off the bench for Eastern Suburbs in their defeat at the hands of Gordon. Stevens returned to MLR in 2020 with the NOLA Gold having previously lined up alongside Turnbull in the Houston SaberCats front row.
The SaberCats are represented by Van Stewart, who played lock for Manly Marlins in their victory over Western Sydney Two Blues. Also playing for the Marlins is Eagles World Cup hooker James Hilterbrand, who is rumored to be headed to MLR in 2021.
Former Manly loose forward and current New England Free Jacks standout Brad Hemopo has linked up with a new team. The imposing ball carrier featured on the blindside flank for Norths, scoring a try in their one-sided win over West Harbour.
Anchoring the Southern Districts scrum for the first time since 2017 was Seattle Seawolves tighthead prop Tim Metcher. The former Australia u20 representative played for Counties Manukau in New Zealand’s Mitre 10 Cup between the 2019 and 2020 MLR seasons.
All but Metcher have retained their spots this weekend. Southern Districts will enjoy a bye week. Turnbull and Mason will go head-to-head as Warringah face off against Randwick at Coogee Oval in a feature match-up. Live streams and replays can be found on the Shute Shield Facebook page.
