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

By Ron Wood

An interesting article appeared in the Illawarra Mercury on Thursday 18th April regarding the state of the Illawarra Rugby League Competition structure. Due to a lack of player numbers the IDRL Under 18 Competition will not go ahead in 2024. As a result of the decline in junior numbers this situation has raised questions as to the future of the IDRL Senior Competition, given the uncertain numbers at the senior level in recent years. Reading the article, it would appear that the situation in local Rugby League is very similar to the situation we are facing in the IDRU. In fact, the whole article mirrors that of the current state of the IDRU Competition. 

After nominating an Under 18 team, the current Under 18 IDRL Premiers Collegians were forced to withdraw from the competition due to a lack of numbers. Dapto and Port Kembla had already combined in order to raise enough players to enter the competition. Collegians withdrawal reduced the competition to four teams (Thirroul, Wests , Corrimal, Kembla/Dapto). After consultation with NSW Rugby League, a new Provincial Competition, Southern Corridor, has been created in which three Illawarra clubs (Thirroul, Wests, Corrimal) will be opposed to three teams (Kingsgrove, Aquinos, Bosco) from the southern Sydney region.  Kembla/Dapto will be competing in the Southern Corridor 2nd Div Competition.  

A decline in junior participation numbers is apparent in both codes in the Illawarra region, in particular in the Wollongong area. If this situation is allowed to continue as it is currently, both codes are in for uncertain times ahead. 

All this suggests that similar social influences are at play here affecting both codes in similar fashion. Could it be that the increasing Head Injury concerns are having an impact on the willingness of families to allow the youngsters to get involved in the Rugby codes? Is the Cost-of-Living crisis having a detrimental impact on families as well? Things are certainly being influenced by the changing demographics of our region. Organised team Sport appears to be of less importance in our school system. 

It is clear that unless changes are made to the overall competition structure in our region then the decline in our competition that we have witnessed over the last 20 years will continue. Where will it all end? 

A restructuring of Competition and Development programs must be undertaken now or Rugby as we know it will not survive. The Powers That Be must act NOW!

Super Rugby

A round of upsets last week, with the Waratahs just scraping home for their second win of the season. The Reds loss to Moana has raised concerns for the Queenslanders as they slipped to their third loss in a row. It’s a strange looking Points Table at the moment with two Kiwi sides at the top and two near the bottom. The Brumbies and Rebels are in the top four, the Reds clinging to sixth and the Waratahs just outside the eight, with the Force running last. I got four out of four wrong last week, so let’s see how I go this week. My Tips for Round 9: Hurricanes, Reds, Blues, Crusaders. 

Local Rugby

Results last week locally went as expected but things could be somewhat different this week as all will benefit from the run in Round 1. Shamrocks are home again to Kiama at Ocean Park. The Rocks were very unlucky not to get the points last week and can expect another tough one this week against the Cows. I think Kiama will be too big and powerful for Shamrocks. Kiama to Win. Vikings host Bowral at Vikings for the Blacks first outing of the year. Vikings will be competitive for this one at home but will struggle at scrum time. Bowral are still a bit of an unknown entity but should improve on last years form. I’ll take the visitors in a close one. Bowral to Win. Tech Waratahs have Camden at Saunders Oval for another mystery fixture. Camden are coming off a win while Tech are coming off a loss. I don’t think there will be much in this one either but I have to go for a Rams win. Camden to Win. Match of the Round is at Shoalhaven who are up against Campbelltown. Harlequins won big over University last week while Shoalies got out of goal against the Rocks. With some key players returning this week the Premiers will start favorites to extend their winning run to 26. Shoalhaven to Win.  

Rugby Diary

Saturday April 27th 2024    IDRU Premiership Round 3

                                                Bowral V University

                                                Kiama V Campbelltown

                                                Camden V Shamrocks

                                                Vikings V Tech Waratahs

Shoalhaven - Bye