The Rogues Rant #255

There was an interesting development out Central West way recently, which had its conclusion at the recent Central West RU AGM. When NSW Rugby announced that they were making their Development Officers redundant across the state some questions were raised as to the future development pathways for Rugby in the western part of the state. The question was raised as to just what would be the best Affiliation for Central West Rugby going forward. The incumbent Central West Board decided to make approaches to both NSW Rugby and ACT Rugby to invite both Unions to develop a Community Rugby program to put before the Clubs out west for consideration. Both NSW Rugby and the Brumbies held information sessions across the district with all clubs represented. At the recent CWRU AGM a vote was taken with a narrow decision being made to remain affiliated with NSW Rugby going into 2021. NSW Rugby also announced that they will be establishing a Rugby Center of Excellence in Dubbo.  Illawarra Rugby went through a similar but somewhat more intense process some fifteen years ago, going very close to changing affiliations to ACT Rugby. In the end we remained with NSW Rugby and as they say the rest is history. I’m sure I’m not the only one wondering just how different things would be for Illawarra Rugby had the decision to become part of ACT & Southern NSW Rugby been taken all those years ago.      

It’s AGM season with meetings going on all over the place. At the recent NSW Country AGM, a good friend of Illawarra Rugby Terry Woodward was awarded a Life Membership of Country Rugby. Terry has been a stalwart of Country Rugby dating back to his days of involvement with Central Coast Rugby as a Player, Coach and Administrator. Terry was a long term Executive Officer of NSW Country having a hand in many NSW Country Carnivals and tours making friends and acquaintances not only across the state but as part of several Cockatoos national tournaments and international trips. Always willing to entertain the group in some way, Terry is very well regarded as an administrator and strong supporter of all that is good about NSW Country Rugby. Well done Terrence.

Speaking of AGM’s the Illawarra AGM was completed last Monday at Vikings Rugby Club. Darin Crofts role as President of Illawarra Rugby was confirmed at the moment with Steve Tresidder returned as Competition Manager, and Dion Miller also elected to the Board for two more Years. All three gentlemen were re-elected unopposed. Several announcements were made in regard to the upcoming season in 2021 with President Crofts confident that we will see a full quota of games in 2021. Following on from the Strategic Planning Meeting held with clubs in October, the Board will be planning for competitions in 1st, 2nd, 3rd Grade and will be striving to establish a Colts and Women’s Competition as well. The season will kick-off on the 20th March with breaks for Easter (2nd to 5th April), a Spare Weekend on the 8th May, with a weekend off also for Country Week on the June Long Weekend 12th-14th June. There will be another Spare Round on the 17th July with the Final Series starting with the Semi’s on 21st/22nd August. Grand Final Day will be 4th September.

The 2021 Season Launch function will be Friday 12th March once again at the City Beach Function Center. Last year’s Launch Luncheon was a great success with plans underway to have some high profile Guest Speakers in attendance again to entertain and inform. Make sure you get your tables together for hopefully another big day. Plans are afoot to try and have an outing for the Illawarriors that evening to kick on to.

For the Wallabies to win this year’s Rugby Championships Trophy they will have to beat the Argentine side by 101 points this week at Bankwest Stadium. It has been a strange tournament with all three teams struggling for consistency across the matches. The All Blacks found some of their rhythm last week to finish well in front of the Pumas but the score-line didn’t do the South Americans justice. Their defensive effort was outstanding with the All Blacks enjoying a huge possession advantage throughout. It will be interesting to see if the visitors can pick themselves up after last week and on the top of what has been an arduous tour for them. The Wallabies should be able to win this one but they have already shown this year that there is still a problem with the side getting the basics right, and if they are not on top of their game here the bottom of the Rugby Championship table beckons.  

Some dates to put into your diary already for season 2021.                                  

Camden 10’s- 20th February.                                                                                      

Kiama 7’s–27th February.                                                                                              

IDRU Season Launch Luncheon – 12th March.

IDRU Round 1 – 20th March.

NSW Country Week – 12th-14th June.

IDRU Grand Final – 4th September.      

All opinions offered in this column are the opinion of the author. They should not be considered to represent the views of the IDRU.