The Rogues Rant #277

Welcome to The Rogues Rant, an occasional look at all things Rugby.

By Ron Wood

With a strong desire to maintain the integrity of the 2021 IDRU Premiership the District Board has revamped the remainder of the season in the hope that we can have all matches played through to the Finals. The rescheduling of course still depends on the circumstances surrounding the ongoing Covid situation and directions from NSW Health over the coming weeks. The season has been extended with the Grand Final now set for Saturday September 25th at WIN Stadium. The two Rounds affected by the current Shutdown have been rescheduled to be played at the end of the year with Round 13 now on August 21st and Round 14 on August 28th. All other matches will be played as currently scheduled with the three catch up matches still to go ahead at this stage on July 17th. The weekend of Saturday 4th September has been set aside as a free weekend in case there are any further need for catch up fixtures prior to the Finals. Semi Finals are now set for 11th & 12th September with the Final set for September 18th. Check out the complete list in the Rugby Diary below.  

The current Shutdown has also thrown the Test Series between the Wallabies and France into somewhat disarray. The Frenchmen are still in Quarantine in Sydney and will be released on Tuesday to fly to Brisbane for the first Test now to be played at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday. It’s hardly a sound preparation for the French and the Wallabies have plenty of issues to deal with as well. Scott Sio has joined Nic White on the sidelines after picking up a Hamstring injury at training during the week. With the experienced trio of Jake Gordon, Matt To’omua and James O’Connor all unlikely to be fit for the match the Wallabies lead in to the match has not been ideal at all. It’s going to be an interesting evening on Wednesday indeed. Based on the disjointed preparations for this match I’m going to go for a Wallaby win.

Interesting to see Darren Coleman announced as the Head Coach of the Waratahs for the next three years. I’m surprised to see Coleman return to Australia after establishing himself in USA Rugby with LA Giltinis. “I’m passionate about the opportunity to coach the Waratahs. I’m coming home to what I regard as my dream job, one I’ve been preparing for over many years,” he is quoted as saying. It’s a hell of a job to take on at this point in time. Good Luck to Him, he’s going to need it.  

It’s proving to be a bit hard to keep track of the Challenge Shields amongst all these disruptions to the draw. The John Haine Challenge Shield will be up for grabs next when Shoalhaven host Kiama on the 17th July at South Nowra. Shoalhaven also currently hold the Peter Woods Shield which they will defend against Avondale in Round 17 on the 7th August. Campbelltown’s 2nd Grade side hold the Talk2MeBro Shield which they will also defend on 17th July against Avondale at Gerry Cappetta Oval.

RUGBY DIARY

!7th July         IDRU Catch Up Matches

                       Avondale V Campbelltown, Gerry Cappetta Oval.

                       Tech Waratahs V Bowral, Saunders Oval.

Shoalhaven V Kiama, Shoalhaven Rugby Park.

18th July        IDRU Women’s Gala Day.

24th July        Round 15

31st July        Round 16

7th August    Round 17

14th August  Round 18

21st August  Round 13

28th August  Round 14

4th September         Round 12

                                 Camden V Avondale

                                 Kiama V Campbelltown

11th/12th                  Minor and Major Semi Finals.

18th September        Preliminary Final

25th September        Grand Final, WIN Stadium       

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