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

By Ron Wood

The IDRU Competition

I attended the IDRU Special Meeting on Monday which was called to consider the way forward after the withdrawal of Wollongong University from 1st Grade. 

The outcome of the meeting after a 100% unanimous call from all the clubs was that the season would continue with the current draw in place. This situation means that two First Grade teams will be sitting on the sidelines each week, barring one, as the season progresses. The only positive coming from the decision is that there will be opportunities available for washed-out games to be played should the current wet weather continue. A disappointment for me at the Meeting was that there was no genuine alternative Draw presented for consideration. 

Given the complicated issues facing Rugby in general, let’s hope there will be a willingness from all concerned to consider change to the format of our competition in 2025. There is a myriad of social issues at play and with the administrative and financial issues dogging Australian and NSW Rugby, change must occur not only at an Illawarra level but also at a NSW Level. 

As I have mentioned many times before, Illawarra Senior Rugby has gone from 44 teams competing each week 25 years ago to 19 competing now. If we keep doing the same thing that we have been doing for the last 30 years or so then we will continue to get the same detrimental results. Change must come to better reflect the needs of the community and the game.

Ollie McCrea

Well done to Tech Waratahs junior Ollie McCrea who is currently a part of the Junior Wallabies competing in the U20 TRC tournament on the Sunshine Coast. The team lost their first outing against Argentine 25 – 6 but backed up for a 24 – 19 win over South Africa on Tuesday night. Unfortunately, Ollie copped a leg injury against the strong Springbok side and had to leave the field but early reports are promising that he will be OK for their match against New Zealand on Sunday. Let’s hope that’s the case and he gets another opportunity to don the Gold jersey. 

Super Rugby 

The Reds and the Brumbies kept the Aussie flag flying last week against our Kiwi friends and with just four rounds left before the finals three Aussie sides are currently in the top eight. The Brumbies are sitting third with the Reds at fifth and the Rebels just behind in sixth spot. Unfortunately, the Waratahs and the Force hold down the bottom two spots on the ladder. This week we get back to playing local opponents which should help the Brumbies and Reds to keep the pressure on at the top of the table. The Chiefs sitting fourth should get a win over Moana in the early game on Friday and then the Reds will be keen for the win over the Rebels at home in the late game. The top two sides, the Blues and Hurricanes, are up first on Saturday in what will be a big tussle for the competition lead. Then the Crusaders get their chance to continue their revival against the Highlanders. Saturday night we see the Waratahs at home to the Brumbies and they will be up against it. In the last match the Force will have a battle to get the points at home against the Drua, so the battle for the wooden spoon will continue. My Tips for this week: Chiefs, Reds, Blues, Crusaders, Brumbies, Drua. 

Local Comp.

Three games this week locally with the top two sides Kiama and Camden having the week off, so the competition table will close up a bit after this week’s games. Bowral play Shoalhaven at Eridge Park and will struggle against the Premiers. Shoalhaven to Win. Vikings meet Campbelltown at Vikings Oval and likewise will struggle as well against a very powerful and pacy Quinnies side. Campbelltown to Win. Match of the Round will be at Saunders Oval where Tech Waratahs will be hosting Shamrocks on their Old Boys Day. There will also be a reunion event of the 2004 Premiership winning Tech Waratahs side, who just happened to beat Shamrocks 17 – 13  in the 2004 GF. The home side are coming off two wins, while Shamrocks registered their first win last week on the back of a pretty tough draw to start the season. I think that the Rocks are traveling just a little better at the moment and should get the win here. Shamrocks to Win. 

Just a reminder!

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

Rugby Diary

Saturday May 18     IDRU Round 6

                                Kiama V Shoalhaven

                                Campbelltown V Tech Waratahs

                                Shamrocks V Bowral

                                Bye – Vikings, Camden

Saturday June 8 – Sunday June 10

NSW Country Championships – Tamworth. Seniors, Colts & Women’s