The Rogues Rant #279

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

By Ron Wood

Well the Covid Pandemic continues to wreak havoc on the IDRU Premiership among everything else in our lives. The latest restrictions mean that there will be no Rugby activities allowed for the vast majority of the Zone until July 30. The IDRU will be meeting early in the next week to discuss several options for a way forward based on restrictions being lifted on July 30. It has to be said however that the likely hood of the restrictions being lifted at the end July is very much up in the air! It will be a matter of one step at a time with the hope that we can get something finalized to see a Final outcome on the field by the deadline of September 25. Here’s hoping.

The Wallabies go into Saturday night’s third Test against France with eight changes to the starting side made by coach Dave Rennie. The coach is obviously looking for more physical impact in the forwards with the changes he has made to the pack but the best change for me is the inclusion of Tate McDermott. The little Reds Halfback has been one of the shining lights of 2021 at Provincial level and hasn’t put a foot wrong coming off the bench for the Wallabies. His efforts in the first two Test off the Bench certainly warrants the opportunity Rennie is giving him. Can the Wallabies turn around the result from Melbourne? I don’t think they can but I am looking forward to seeing just how they go after Rennie has made the changes that had to made.

RUGBY DIARY

TO BE ADVISED

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.