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

By Ron Wood

The demise of the Australian Women’s Rugby 7s side in Paris was hard to watch. After taking all before them recently they went into the tournament as favorites but a medal was not to be. The loss in the semi final against Canada was especially hard to watch. The side got away to a good start and a deserved 12 – 0 lead early but things didn’t go too well after that. A try to the Canadians came following a very dubious refereeing decision before a runaway try on the halftime bell gave the Canadians the lead at the break. In the second period, two uncharacteristic knock-ons by the Aussies changed the momentum of the match, with two more tries coming to the Canadians. The match was gone. The Sevens game of two seven-minute halves can be a cut throat game and sometimes things just don’t go the way they should. Then came a last second try to the USA in the Bronze Medal Game and it was all over.  Oh well, on to the next tournament.

The IDRU has announced the venues for this years Final Series. The Major Semi Finals will be played at Shoalhaven Rugby Park on Saturday 24th August. The next day, Sunday 25th August, Shamrocks will be hosting the Minor Semi Finals at Ocean Park, Woonona. The Finals will be played a week later on Saturday 31st August at Vikings Oval. For the second year running the Grand Finals are scheduled for Collegians Sports Ground in Figtree on Saturday 7th September. 

As relations between the IDRU Board and the Executive members of the IDRU Referees Association continues to be strained. Efforts are being made to get all concerned together in one room to resolve the issues causing concern. Let’s hope that such a meeting can come to fruition soon and some common sense can prevail. 

Round 16 this week with just three rounds to go. Kiama and Bowral meet at Kiama Showground with the Cows very keen for another win to keep their chances of making the Major Semi alive. A win here could put them into second on the ladder depending on how Camden goes against the Premiers. I think Kiama can get the points against the young Blacks. Kiama to Win. Campbelltown should continue to climb towards the finals when they play Shamrocks at Campbelltown Showground. The Rocks will give a good account of themselves but the Quinnies will be too big and too strong for them here. Campbelltown to Win. Match of the Round is at Camden Rugby Park between the Rams and Shoalhaven. Win number 35 beckons the Shoalies while a spot in the Major Semi Final is the carrot for the home side. Camden have been the big improvers in 2024 but the Shoalies will be too good here. Shoalhaven to Win.   

Rugby Diary 

Saturday August 10     IDRU Round 17

                                Bowral V Campbelltown 

                                Kiama V Camden

                                Shoalhaven V Vikings

                                2nd Grade

                                Bowral V Campbelltown              

                                Kiama V Camden

                                Shoalhaven V Vikings

                                Tech Waratahs V University