With less than two weeks until the much-anticipated Shute Shield season kicks off, West Harbour head coach, Mark Gudmunson says his side will be carrying a winning mentality into Round One.
The 2020 season was abruptly postponed following the outbreak of COVID-19, however, a shortened season has now been finalised which will see each Club face off against each other once.
Gudmunson, who returns for his second year in the role, says that the break gave his squad time to familiarise with each other ahead of the season commencing.
“The biggest goal was to just keep the players focused,” he said.
“It certainly gave the guys an opportunity to establish some connections that will hopefully transfer out onto the pitch this season.
“We placed considerable emphasis on our structures, from there we really just counted down until we could put it all into practice.”
West Harbour will begin their season against Northern Suburbs on July 18 at Drummoyne Oval.
Gudmunson believes his side will need to hit the ground running against last year’s preliminary finalists.
“Norths are a side which has been featuring in Finals rugby for the last few seasons, so we have to be expecting a tough battle,” he said.
“But they’re somewhat of an unknown, having lost a few key players and being under the guide of a new coach.
“However, if we want to be a top side, all of that is external and we need to put our best performance forward come Round One.”
The 41-year-old says that while strong pre-season focus has been placed on defence, his side will not shy away from its naturally creative style of play.
“You’re always going to see some flair in our group’s playing style,” he said.
“But we’ve put a big emphasis on our defensive efforts and at times we have to trust that it’ll back some teams into a corner.”
According to Gudmunson, the shortened 13-round season will place added pressure on all Club’s to register victories in the opening month.
“In a regular Shute Shield season you may be able to afford yourself a lull in those middle rounds,” he said.
“But in this shortened season you have to take it week by week and be ready perform at that elite level every round.
“Potentially your season could be over in three or four rounds, so you need to keep the energy constant.”
The Club held its first official trial against Eastwood last Saturday and will face Randwick in a similar fixture on July 11.
“We wanted to have trials against Club’s that were strong and who I’d expect to feature come Finals,” he said.
“Against Eastwood it was important we just give the guys as much time as possible.
“We just wanted to see them put some of the skills we’ve trained into action and gain invaluable match experience at that level.
“Our trial against Randwick will allow us to finalise ideas we have on combinations and we’ll field a team that resembles what we want come Round One.”
The COVID hiatus also allowed West Harbour to add key positional talent to an already impressive squad.
Once such signing was that of former Australian Sevens player Rod Davies, whom Gudmunson believes will bring needed experience alongside his electrifying pace.
Davies has had a rich career in rugby, winning a Super Rugby title with the Reds in 2011 before debuting for the Wallabies in the same year.
“Adding a player of his expertise adds so much to our group,” Gudmunson said.
“Rod brings a lot of professionalism to our meetings and knows how to break down performances, training and express those learnings to the group.”
Round One against Norths will also be the first official match for West Harbour at their temporary home of Drummoyne Oval.
The move will allow West Harbour to further the expansion of the Inner West Rugby Hub, in what Gunderson describes as a crucial part of the Club’s identity.
“It’s a beautiful ground and a great asset,” he said.
“We’re lucky to call it home over the next couple of years and we can’t wait to have our fans enjoy what will be a great spectacle for our Club.”
Declan Armstrong
Media and Communications Officer | West Harbour Pirates Rugby Club
