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

By Ron Wood

Wallaby Coach Joe Schmidt has made wholesale changes to his side for this week’s match against Georgia in Sydney. I got the impression after the Wales match in Melbourne that he wasn’t all that happy with what he had witnessed in his first two outings as Australian Coach. The changes would suggest that he is far from settled on who he should be building the team around for the upcoming Rugby Championships matches. Some players are returning from injury and get their opportunity to impress and we see a complete change in the halves. Ten changes altogether and another Captain, the third in three matches, as the Coach asks the questions and gives the players their opportunity to push for further representation down the track. In the latest International Ratings Australia now sits at nine, with Italy moving ahead of the Wallabies and Fiji at 10. Georgia will be no pushover for the Wallabies and the side will need to be right on their game to get the win.

I saw another article on the net this week which referred to the Southern Inland zone in South West NSW. Southern Inland is now part of the ACT Southern NSW Rugby Zone and at this moment in time is having trouble, with a couple of their clubs struggling to meet their commitments this season. The problems are very similar to what we are seeing going on in our area with clubs struggling to field the two grades required each week. There are other Zones in the state experiencing a similar decline in team numbers and player strength as we are. Locally it appears that numbers are becoming more of a problem across the zone. While Vikings appears to be reviving themselves slowly but surely other clubs are experiencing difficulties as well. Also, the standard of play I have witnessed at times this year in second grade has left a fair bit to be desired. Some club second grade sides look more like what we would have expected in years gone by in third grade or lower. Second grade should be full of players pressing for a first-grade opportunity but from what I have been witnessing of late there are plenty of players in second grade who stand little chance of consideration for first grade selection. If Rugby Xplorer match details can be trusted there is at least one Illawarra Club at which several players are starting in both second grade and First Grade on the same day. I don’t know what the answer is to turning this around but I can’t help but be concerned for the future of the game, not only in the Illawarra but across the board.   

Three games again this week with Shoalhaven hosting Bowral in Nowra. Shoalhaven should continue on their winning way but can expect a spirited effort from the young Blacks. Shoalhaven to Win. Vikings travel to Campbelltown and will be confronted by an attacking Quinnies side eager to put more points on the board and add to their position on the points table. That they will. Campbelltown to Win. The Match of the Round will be between Shamrocks and Tech Waratahs at Ocean Park. Both clubs are entrenched in the bottom half of the table and will be keen to get more points to stay clear of the wooden spoon. I think the home side can get the points here. Shamrocks to Win.  

Rugby Diary 

Saturday July 27     IDRU Round 15

                                Bowral V Shamrocks

                                Shoalhaven V Kiama

                                Tech Waratahs V Campbelltown

                                2nd Grade

                                Bowral V Shamrocks              

                                Shoalhaven V Kiama

                                Tech Waratah V Campbelltown

                                University V Camden