Part 4 – Shute Shield Shape of the Game 2024
SUFC 2024 DEVELOPMENT & 2025 PROGRESS
As a Club and coaching team, we set out to accelerate the development of the entire club to create depth and performance. We were charged with renewing the game model in line with law changes, and our old game model had started to be copied and lagged.
They were ambitious objectives, particularly considering the Season Challenges, mainly the inclement weather and the injury toll, which meant we only had a normal training week, round 15 of the competition.
Due to the inclement weather, the club player and coach connections from Round 1 of the competition organically split the club across many venues, times, and modified training. The club cohesion and connection were substantially challenged. Culture is often a misused term, and whilst culture is an element that always requires development, the Club’s biggest challenge was connection. The player’s adaptability is to be commended.
The coaching group worked hard on development and renewal. While 50 players played first grade with 25 debutants (across the club teams, the number of players who played in each team over the season was extremely high, challenging team cohesion also), the season dictated greater exposure for the very young playing group, with the club’s average age of 20. Whilst the coaching staff planned to develop youth in the club, the extent of exposure of our young players was greater than we designed. In some cases, we exposed players well beyond their years, with many who played first and second grade only having played school rugby in 2023 and never playing Colts or Grade 80-minute games. Ideally, as a coaching group, we would set our young players up for success with a transition period rather than throw them straight into the fire. Nonetheless, many players experienced the demand for the top grades in the club and will hold the Club in good stead in 2025.
In past seasons, we have had experienced players return from Super Rugby to peer mentor our younger players as part of the development process. However, in 2024, many were injured or plying their trade overseas, which is another reason why we lacked depth in 2024, which we have traditionally had.
Season 2025 is an Australian Lions Tour, and many players will be absorbed into provincial duties and Super Rugby A programs during and after the season in readiness for the Lions Tour. As a club, we need to develop and prepare to be successful without our representative players and not be dependent on them returning in 2025. We must view representative players returning as a bonus, not a forgone conclusion due to the Lions Tour.
From the 2024 season, we have seen that the Maul and Scrum are now being ruled differently, which has long been part of our DNA and will continue to be, but on greater tactical application. Still, we need further refinement and understanding around a set of laws introduced in 2025 to speed up the game, particularly the Maul and Scrum and the Onside from Kicks in open play. These laws are currently being played in The Rugby Championship.
2025 Progress
We always have elements we would change and refine; however, developing and renewing the game model in 2024 has placed the Club in a far better position than most other clubs in the competition. We are a step ahead in our game model renewal, particularly around the new laws and variations.
Three Key Law Changes (of 9) introduced in 2025
- Onside from kicks in open play: In a rewrite of Law 10.7 relating to players being put onside from kicks in open play, it will no longer be possible for a player to be put onside when an opposition player catches the ball and runs five metres, or passes the ball. Laws 10.1 and 10.4 will make clear that offside players must make an attempt to retreat, creating space for the opposition team to play. This should reduce the number of kick tennis players in the game.
- This law adaption suits our kicking and running strategy.
- The ball must be played after the maul has been stopped once, not twice.
- Maul’s tries will be reduced again in 2025, and the game will speed up. However, we will see more significant development of intricate plays around the edges of the Lineout, and Maul will create an excellent running game.
- Introduction of the 30-second shot clock for scrum and lineout setting and a maximum of 60 seconds for conversions [a reduction of 30 seconds] aligning with the time permitted for penalty kicks at goal.
Whilst these laws will speed up the game, the scrum will be required to be set more efficiently, and props will again be the most penalised position on the team. Lineout over and under throws will continue to be a source of possession for the defensive team. There will be an adjustment period for some teams, but it suits how we want to play, and we have been practising to play in terms of speed. As previously discussed, SUFC, along with a raft of Laws being introduced, is on a significant development journey. As a club, we know where we have been, where we are going, and what that looks like. Development and success are cyclical, and the process that started in 2024 is one of strong tactical renewal and development that will place SUFC in a strong position for years to come. The work being done at SUFC reflects the sentiments of many of the opposition coaches and rugby officials. We have constantly heard ‘Anyone but Uni’ is developing again, and my favourite at the Catchpole Dinner was from one official who referenced Star Wars: ‘The Death Star is on its way back!’
A lot of work remains, but SUFC players and coaches are never scared of hard work, and this character was on display in 2024.
Thank you for all your support and for joining us on this journey through the Season. Your support is critical and dramatically benefits players and the Club.
See you in 2025 – Up the Students!
Thank you for tuning in to the four part, season 2024 Grade Head Coach review.