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

By Ron Wood

The NSW Country Championships weekend this year was a raging success in Tamworth. In front of enthusiastic crowds. The standard of football across the weekend was very high. Although we had to contend with a very disappointing end to the weekend, the Illawarra performance from all our teams was very encouraging.

Although the Colts did not register a win across their four games, the young squad showed spirit against the odds and would have gained much from the experience. Let’s hope we can build on this outing and get back to the tournament again in 2025 with another Colts squad. The Lady Illawarriors were outstanding, narrowly finishing runner up in the Women’s Shield section of the tournament. After an absence from this level of the Women’s game for some four years the women showed plenty and it is hoped that this performance will prove to be an inspiration to see more growth in the ladies’ game in the Illawarra.

The Illawarriors loss was heartbreaking for all involved. Going into the last 20 minutes of the very entertaining Final things were looking very encouraging for the Illawarriors. The Central Coast side had other ideas however and their performance in snatching the win was enormous. Credit to Illawarra coach Sean Barrett and his assistant Steve Talbot for guiding the side to an outstanding performance all round. It would not surprise to see at least half a dozen Illawarra players go forward to the Cockatoos program in the coming weeks. Well done to all involved in this year’s very well presented Illawarriors program.  

I’ve had some disappointing news regarding the injury sustained by youngster Tom Cusack in Tamworth. The initial diagnosis was that Tom had suffered damage to the PCL in his knee. However, it has now been confirmed that the damage was to his ACL, which means Tom’s season is over and he will likely require surgery to repair the ligament. Tom's form so far this year for Camden has been outstanding and his presence for the Rams will be sorely missed. 

The Super Rugby Quarter Finals went to script last week and now we can sit back for what will be a couple of very interesting Semi Finals this weekend. The Brumbies make the trip to Auckland for their match with The Blues on Friday night. It will be a big ask for the Brumbies to win through to the Final, especially in front of a parochial Eden Park crowd. I hope I’m wrong but I think the Brumbies will struggle to get the result. The Blues to Win. The other semi could go either way and I reckon there won’t be much more than a converted try in the result at Sky Stadium in Wellington on Saturday.  Both sides have lost to the Blues in recent weeks and the Hurricanes prevailed over the Chiefs, narrowly, just three weeks ago. I think that the Hurricanes will prevail again this week and meet the Blues in the Final. The Hurricanes to Win.

Back to the local comp this week with three games on Saturday. Kiama will host Vikings at Kiama Showground and will get the points but they will know they have had a game against a willing opponent. Kiama will be without in-form centre Mick Taylor who copped a fractured eye socket in Tamworth and will be missing for the Cows for a month or more. Kiama to Win. Shoalhaven and Tech Waratahs meet at Shoalhaven Rugby Park with Shoalies odds on to extend their winning run. Shoalhaven to Win. Match of the Round will be at Eridge Park with Bowral hosting Camden. The Rams will miss Tom Cusack but still should be too strong for the young Blacks, or will they? Camden to Win.

Rugby Diary

Saturday June 22     IDRU Round 10

                                Shoalhaven V Shamrocks

                                Vikings V Camden

                                Tech Waratahs V Kiama

                                Bye – Bowral, Campbelltown