Sydney club Rugby’s biggest day will return to one of its traditional homes with the 2008 Tooheys New Shute Shield Grand Final making a welcome return to Concord Oval.

The six-team finals series will travel to venues in all corners of Sydney, including a week one clash at the Shute Shield’s newest venue, Western Weekender Stadium in St Mary’s.

“The venues for the 2008 Tooheys New Shute Shield Finals Series are a reflection of the geographical spread of the competition, and the return to Concord Oval for the Grand Final is a move which has been wholeheartedly supported by the clubs,” said NSWRU CEO Jim L’Estrange.

“The Sydney Football Stadium has been a great host venue for our Grand Final in recent years, but due to the longer competition in 2008 our finals series clashes with the NRL.

“The SCG Trust was very understanding throughout the process and I think we’ve got the ideal outcome.”

All seven Sydney club Rugby Grand Finals will be played at Concord Oval, with 1st-4th Grades playing their deciders on Saturday 20 September, while the three Colts Grand Finals will be played at the same venue the following day.

The first week of finals features elimination matches on 6-7 September at Western Weekender Stadium and Woollahra Oval, followed by Grand Final qualifiers on 13-14 September at Coogee Oval and Pittwater Rugby Park.

“It’s a sign of the strength of Rugby across Sydney that we’re confidently able to take the Shute Shield Finals Series to western Sydney, the northern beaches, the eastern suburbs and play the decider at Concord Oval,” said Mr L’Estrange.

“We also have Colts Finals in the southern suburbs of Sydney at Forshaw Rugby Park so I’m sure we’re going to be in for an exciting time in September.”

2008 TOOHEYS NEW SHUTE SHIELD FINALS SERIES
(including 2nd, 3rd and 4th Grades)
Week 1 – Elimination Semifinals
Saturday 6 September – 3rd v 6th* at Western Weekender Stadium
Sunday 7 September – 4th v 5th* at Woollahra Oval
* subject to confirmation by broadcaster
Week 2 – Preliminary Finals
Saturday 13 September – 1st v Lowest ranked winner from Week 1 at Coogee Oval
Sunday 14 September – 2nd v Highest ranked winner from Week 1 at Pittwater Rugby Park
Week 3 – Grand Final
Saturday 20 September – Winner Preliminary Final 1 v Winner Preliminary Final 2 at Concord Oval
2008 SYDNEY CLUB RUGBY COLTS FINALS SERIES
Week 1 – Elimination Semifinals
Saturday 6 September – 3rd v 6th at Coogee Oval
Sunday 7 September – 4th v 5th at Forshaw Rugby Park
Week 2 – Preliminary Finals
Saturday 13 September – 1st v Lowest ranked winner from Week 1 at Forshaw Rugby Park
Sunday 14 September – 2nd v Highest ranked winner from Week 1 at Woollahra Oval
Week 3 – Grand Final
Sunday 21 September – Winner Preliminary Final 1 v Winner Preliminary Final 2 at Concord Oval

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