The Rogues Rant
Welcome to The Rogues Rant, an occasional look at all things Rugby.
What a wonderful performance from the Crusaders in the Super Rugby Final last week. Their 37 – 18 victory over a gallant Lions outfit was their ninth Super Rugby title as they are now back to back champions. The Lions were never really in the match as the Kiwi side started strong and even playing a man short with Ryan Crotty in the bin in the second half, they finished strong. The Crusaders deservedly lifted the trophy after a season that had them scoring more tries than any other side, conceding less tries than any other side and had less points scored against them than any other side. The poor old Lions have now lost three Finals in a row going down to the Crusaders as well last year and losing to Wellington in 2016. Now just what does the future hold for Super Rugby?
There is one match on this weekend with the Southern Crushers at home to Campbelltown at Albion Park Showground kicking off at 2.00PM. The Crushers have taken this opportunity to promote Rugby in their district and are also making the day a fundraiser in support of Drought Relief for our farmers. They will be conducting Raffles on the day with heaps of great prizes including signed Wallaby and Waratahs jumpers. There will be jumping castles for the kids and a huge BBQ. The club has also enlisted the support of the local Albion Park Woolworths and is setting up a donations bin for non-perishable food items, hygiene products, pet foods, vouchers etc. There will be a bin at the ground and also at the local Woolworths store. So if you are stuck on something to do without your side playing this week, get down to Albion Park and help our newest club promote our game and raise some much needed funds as well. Things get underway from about 1.00PM.
An eventful day at Gerry Cappetta Oval last Saturday will have its sequel next Wednesday at the IDRU Judiciary when Avondale Fullback Silipa Tuigamala will face a Contrary Conduct charge after being sent off by Referee Andrew Strode. If found guilty of the charge, Tuigamala could well miss the upcoming final series, which would be a real blow to the defending Premiers chances of going back to back. A guilty verdict and a suspension would also rule Tuigamala out of the running in the IDRU Player of the Year award, an award he won in 2017. One positive thing that came out of last Saturdays match was the manner in which the match officials on the day handled things. There has been much discussion here and elsewhere over the years regarding the times when 1st Grade matches are sometimes left without official experienced and qualified Touch Judges. Saturdays match was a perfect example as to why this should never be allowed to occur. Referee Strode had two very experienced Referees assisting at the game in John Salisbury and Neill Greaves. If he had two less experienced club appointed Touch Judges things could have been much different.