As the Shute Shield moves to the pointy end of the season, the Sydney Rugby Union is coming under fire for “unfair” double standards after allowing Eastern Suburbs off the hook regarding a player points cap breach.
After Gordon was docked two competition points earlier in the year for failing to get all the paperwork across the line before Moana Pasifika and former premiership player Ola Tauelangi took the field, the SRU once again decided to let complaints regarding the table-topping Easts through to the keeper.
The Roar understands several Shute Shield clubs have complained to the SRU that Easts, who have several Super Rugby players and Tongan prop Vunipola Fifita in their first grade side, fudged the numbers regarding the player points system.
The SRU operational manual states that a side can have no more than 100 points, with players ranging from 20 (tier-one internationals) to two points depending on their experience. Players however can get discounted for loyalty and coming through the grassroots system.
Eastern Suburbs are coming under fire for possible player points breaches. Photo: Karen Watson
It’s alleged Easts fielded a side with 110 points against Southern Districts in round 11 after Fifita, who featured in the 2019 World Cup, played and was considered a one-point player despite previously being listed as a 12-point player. Easts won away from home 40-31.
A second match against the Two Blues in round 13 has also been brought into question. On this occasion, Easts came from behind to win 47-28.
In recent weeks, Easts have brought in former England sevens player Jamie Adamson as well as former Irish under-20s centre Alex McHenry.
It’s understood Adamson was listed as someone worth four points instead of six, while McHenry was listed as someone worth four points rather than ten.
In recent days, it’s believed Easts have attempted to change the rating of Super Rugby regulars Will Harris and Miles Amatosero, claiming they are juniors despite several sources claiming otherwise.
As many as five Shute Shield clubs are furious, with a crisis meeting held by the SRU on Tuesday afternoon.
As many as five Shute Shield clubs are furious at the inaction revolving around player points breaches from Easts in the 2024 competition. Photo: Shute Shield
It comes amid talk of boycotting the SRU Awards night, where the prestigious Ken Catchpole Medal is given to the competition’s best player.
It’s believed Easts pointed to conflicting information regarding player data as a reason for breaking the player points system.
On Friday 19th July, SRU general manager Peter Watkins emailed all clubs acknowledging the complaints.
Watkins accepted that “no nominated sources for finding player points” had been in place at the time.
As such, he said the “SRU will be taking no further action”, adding that “Opta is the only accepted source of information” now.
Watkins’ response however has gone down badly with almost half of the Shute Shield clubs, including Gordon President Matthew Glascott, questioning the system.
“Is hiding behind ignorance an excuse for not complying with the rules?” Glascott wrote in an email seen by The Roar.
“The rules are the rules – and it is the clubs’ responsibility to know them and abide by them. Otherwise, they should be penalised like other clubs in then competition.
“We are having great difficulty accepting the lack of fairness and consistency.”
One Shute Shield president, who did not wish to be named, said the SRU had been “caught with their pants down”.
A second email from Watkins to all SRU clubs on Monday July 22 acknowledged mistakes had been made but added that it was “highly unlikely the result of the game was impacted”.
With three rounds of the regular competition remaining, there is seven points separating first-placed Easts (58) and sixth-placed Gordon (51).
SRU declined to comment.
