The Rogues Rant #258
Welcome to The Rogues Rant, an occasional look at all things Rugby
Rugby Season 2021 gets underway in earnest this week with Super Rugby kicking off on Friday night. Locally the Macarthur Sevens are on Saturday at Camden and the reigning Shute Shield Champions Gordon are in residence at Kiama for a training camp this weekend. The Waratahs travel to Brisbane to open their campaign against the Qld Reds in what will be a huge assignment for the young but enthusiastic Waratahs squad. Don’t forget the Annual Kiama 7’s are also on Saturday week at Kiama Showground.
The Macarthur 10’s continues to progress with twenty teams nominating for this year’s tournament at Wire Lane on Saturday. The famous Deadwood Timberwolves will be making another appearance to try and scoop the prize pool once again. Two Shute Shield clubs, the Warringah Rats and the Western Sydney Two Blues have entered with host Club Camden joined by local clubs Campbelltown, Tech Waratahs and Shoalhaven to compete for some of $9000.00 Cash Prize. Teams are coming from across Sydney, up from the ACT, Bungendore and Bathurst. Other interesting teams include the Fijian Warriors, Collie Dawgs, Naitasiri Highlanders, Jaguar Couriers Nabua Rugby, Jetest Babas, Pristine Warriors, and the Baravi Brothers. Matches start on two fields at 8.00AM with the Final set down for 6.45PM. Admission is $10 with Pensioners and kids under 16 free.
Last year’s Shute Shield Champs the Gordon Highlanders will be holding a Training session at Kiama Showground from 10.00AM on Saturday. Everyone is welcome to attend and see how the big boys go about their preparations for the defense of their hard won Sydney title. Later in the day the Kiama club will be putting on a junior training session for all age groups. Should be big day for all!
The IDRU Board has taken the lead in regard to whether or not there will be a Third Grade Comp in 2021. Clubs were to report back to the next Rugby Committee meeting on the 8th March as to if they would be fielding a third grade side or not in 2021. Quite rightly the Board has taken the view that things should be finalized in a quicker fashion than that and has instructed all clubs to advise the Board by the 1st March if they are entering a side or not. Currently three clubs Shoalhaven, Kiama and Avondale have advised they will not be competing in Thirds and my information is that up to four more clubs will almost certainly fail to reach the numbers required by the deadline. The Board is looking at alternatives and hopefully will be able to cobble together a worthwhile format for all clubs to go forward with. Perhaps the suggestion of an U85Kg/Under Age competition of some sort could be the answer.
Friday night is the opening night of Super Rugby AU with two matches, the Reds V Waratahs in Brisbane at 7.45 and later in the night the Western Force hosts the Brumbies over in Perth at 10.00PM our time. The Rebels get the first Bye and will be watching with interest as we all get the first look at the sides for 2021. For me the Brumbies remain the team to beat but I also think we can expect improvement again from both The Reds and the Force. I think the Waratahs are in for a long year for no other reason than for their lack of experience at this level. My tips for this week are the Reds and Brumbies to win.
RUGBY DIARY
Kiama – 20th February – Shute Shield Premiers, Gordon Training Camp at Kiama Showground. Open to all from 10.00AM. The day will include a Junior Training session with the Premiers.
Macarthur 10’s- 20th February.
Kiama 7’s–27th February.
IDRU Season Launch Luncheon – 12th March.
IDRU Round 1 – 19th / 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.