Support the Bond University Bull Sharks in the Australian Rugby Club Championship:
Date: Saturday, 21 March 2026
Warringah Rugby Club, 1472 Pittwater Road Warriewood NSW 2102
Women’s Match | 3:15pm kick off
Men’s Match | 4:40pm kick off
Live Stream: You can catch all the action on Stan Sport live streaming from 2:15pm AEDT / 3:15pm AEST
Bragging rights as Australia’s best rugby program will go on the line when the Bull Sharks head to Sydney for the Australian Rugby Club Championship next month.
It’s the pinnacle of club rugby in Australia where the premiers of Sydney’s Shute Shield take on the victors of Queensland Premier Rugby’s Hospital Cup and Founders Cup grand finals.
For the first time the two Championship games will be contested by the same clubs with the Bull Sharks winning both men’s and women’s titles in 2025 and Warringah matching that feat south of the border.
The Warrinagh Rats beat Shute Shield favourites Eastern Suburbs in their grand final 37-24 and their women’s team, The Ratettes, were equally impressive defeating the Hunter Wildfires 17-12 in their grand final with Rio Olympics gold medallist and retired Australian 7s skipper, Sharnie Smale taking out the player of the match.
The Bull Sharks men will be led once again by premiership skipper, Tyler Campbell who was awarded the Tony Shaw medal for player of the match in their 27-25 Hospital Cup grand final triumph over Brothers.
Bond University’s General Manager of Rugby Sean Hedger has said that their side will be close to full strength will with over 80 percent of last year's lineup available for the match.
“Flanker, Kobe Walters will lead our forward pack, and Ollie Barret will return to The Canal after a stint in the Western Force Academy,” Hedger said.
“Warringah will be a powerful outfit despite losing two players to professional contracts in 2026.
“Stand-off, Coby Milne will be a player to keep an eye on as he controls the play with his accurate kicking and passing.
“The Rats have a pretty powerful backline which features Ben Marr, Jackson Ropata and Charlie Tupu – all powerful big ball runners.”
The Bull Shark women will be making their third consecutive appearance in the event after they drew in last year's game against Sydney University.
Head coach Setu Naseri said there had been challenges selecting a full-strength side with many key players being out for representative duties. However, solid numbers at training has him confident the Bull Sharks can be competitive.
“We’re a little challenged as the representative programs’ windows have changed and now clash with our pre-season, so we’re still working through player availability,” he said.
“We’ve got up around 40 players who have been coming to pre-season and we’re training two to three times a week.
The Ratettes host a bolstered side with eight of their players involved in the Waratah’s grand final victory over the Reds – including powerhouse Wallaroo Emily Robinson.
“Emily will be leading the charge for them up the front,” Naseri said.
“She’s been a stalwart of NSW’s Super Rugby Women's side and a big part of their success.”