The Rogues Rant # 243

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

Well we are underway this week with our shortened season and with some late withdrawals the draw now takes on a bit of a disjointed look, but beggars can’t be choosers so roll on the next nine weeks of rugby for all to enjoy. As previously advised Bowral will not be taking part this season, with the latest changes coming about with University not fielding a First Grade side and the Southern Crushers withdrawing from Second Grade. We are left with eight teams in the top grade and nine in seconds which creates a few anomalies in the draw. In first grade all clubs will play each other once and will have two more matches against sides already played. It means that VIKINGS will play Avondale and Camden twice, SHOALHAVEN will play Tech Waratahs and Kiama twice, KIAMA will play Campbelltown and Shoalhaven twice, CAMPBELLTOWN will play Kiama and Shamrocks twice, AVONDALE will play Shamrocks and Vikings twice, SHAMROCKS will play Avondale and Campbelltown twice, CAMDEN will play Tech Waratahs and Vikings twice, and TECH WARATAHS will play Camden and Shoalhaven twice. It’s not ideal but at least we are getting some Rugby. Good Luck to all competing sides. The full draw can be seen on the IDRU Website, go to Draws and Results and click on the appropriate green tab. All match results can be likewise found throughout the year on the same page. Let’s go! My tips for Round 1: Camden, Avondale, Kiama and Vikings.

The International Rugby Board has proposed a new International Window for 2020 from October 24th through to Dec 5th. The full international program was postponed earlier in the year due to the Coronavirus Pandemic. The IRB will make a final call after their Board Meeting set for July 30th. It is proposed that the Rugby Championships in the South is to be played in full in New Zealand between November 7th and December 12th. The word coming out from South Africa is that it will be very difficult for South Africa to be a part of the Championships given that they have had no football played at all this year due to the virus. A similar situation also exists in Argentina so it’s likely we will only see two sides in the Championships.

The Brumbies are looking pretty solid at the top of the Super Rugby AU table after four Rounds. A win over the Reds on Saturday in Canberra will put them eight points clear at the top of the Aussie table but they won’t have things their own way against the Queenslanders. The Reds are unbeaten as well having won two and they had a draw with the Rebels in Round 2 so we should be able to expect a solid match on Saturday. The Brumbies showed last week against a gallant Force outfit that they have the ability to score tries from the most minimal opportunities. An incredible defensive effort from the Force last week repelled the best the Brumbies could offer for large parts of the match. It remains to be seen whether the Reds can be as effective with their defense. In New Zealand, The Chiefs woes continue. Their narrow loss to the Blues last week is their seventh on the trot. It doesn’t get any easier this week with the high flying Crusaders their opponents on Saturday. My super Rugby tips this week: Rebels, Brumbies, Crusaders and Blues.              

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