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

By Ron Wood

Camden junior product, 17-year-old Caitlyn Halse, will make her Wallaroo debut appearance on Friday night at AAMI Park in Melbourne against USA. Caitlyn will become the youngest player to debut for the national side when she runs on in the No.15 jumper. This is an extraordinary achievement for the Picton schoolgirl, who also has her hands full studying for her HSC in 2024. After an outstanding season with the title-winning NSW W Team Caitlyn won a spot in the Wallaroos squad for the current tournament and now gets her chance to shine on the big stage. She will be joined in the squad for Fridays match by Campbelltown duo Atasi Lafai and Sally Fuesaina, who will be on the bench.  Well done and a big congratulation to Caitlyn on such a big personal achievement. You can catch the match on Stan Rugby on Friday night. 

The Super Rugby is down to the last three matches before the eight-team final series gets underway in the first week of June. The Blues leapfrogged the Hurricanes to the top last week with their 31 - 27 win in Aukland and closed things up at the top of the table. It’s now The Blues, Hurricanes, Brumbies and Chiefs sitting in the top four and likely to finish that way. The Reds, Rebels and Highlanders are next but the final makeup of the finals is still to be determined, with the possibility that any team can still make the finals should things fall their way over the next three weeks. The Waratahs are anchored to the bottom of the table and have a long injury list to contend with. Although on the numbers it is still possible for the Tahs to play finals football it is more likely that they will have to settle for the wooden spoon in 2024. It looks a fairly predictable round of matches this week, but let’s see how we go with the tips. My tips for this week are: Hurricanes Chiefs, Reds, Brumbies, Blues and Force.  

After all the disruptions over the last few weeks locally with the University withdrawal and the wet weather we should get back to some action this week. Campbelltown are up against Tech Waratahs at Campbelltown and should prove too big and powerful for the improving Tech Tahs. Campbelltown to Win. Shamrocks and Bowral clash at Ocean Park, Woonona. Bowral have only had two outings so far in 2024 and Shamrocks have had a very difficult draw in the four matches so far. Each club has one win on the board and will be keen to add this one to their tally. I’m going to go with the home field advantage and tip the Rocks to get up in a close contest. Shamrocks to Win. The undoubted Match of the Round is at Kiama, between the Cows and defending Premiers Shoalhaven. Both sides remain unbeaten in 2024 but have been idle recently and will welcome a return to the field. Kiama have been very impressive so far while Shoalies are protecting that impressive 26 match winning streak. I think that winning run may well come to an end in this match. Without a great deal of confidence, I am going to go for Kiama. Kiama to Win.   

Rugby Diary

Saturday May 25     IDRU Round 7

                                Bowral V Kiama

                                Shoalhaven V Camden

                                Shamrocks V Campbelltown

                                Bye – Vikings, Tech Waratahs

Saturday June 8 – Sunday June 10

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