Rugby NEWS VOLUME 26 ISSUE 9 $5.00 (INC GST) Saturday June 16th, 2012 COVER: Parramatta No.5 Adam Coleman is 20yrs old, 204cm, 118kg and on the radar of Super Rugby franchises. Son of Tongan legend, Pau’u Afeaki. EASTERN SUBURBS flyhalf, Angus Sinclair – Page 3.
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RugbyNEWS
VOLUME 26 ISSUE 9 $5.00 (INC GST)
Saturday June 16th, 2012
COVER: Parramatta No.5 Adam Coleman is 20yrs old,
204cm, 118kg and on the radar of Super Rugby franchises. Son of
Tongan legend, Pau’u Afeaki.
EASTERN SubuRbS flyhalf, Angus Sinclair
– Page 3.
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Published by: Eric Spilsted Publishing PO box 987 Spit Junction NSW 2088Publisher/Editor: Jim Davis
A baby boom threatens to wreck Warringah’s hopes of capturing their sixth Sydney women’s title in eight years. Five of last year’s side, including two Australian captains Cheryl Soon and Chris Hill, have given birth since last season and a sixth player Amanda Gibson is due to become a new Mum in two months. “The girls are getting older and the biological clock started ticking,” says coach Erin Morton.
Chris Ross, who led Australia in the 2010 World Cup when the regular captain Soon was having a match off, already has returned to the rugby field following the birth of son Rocky, while Soon and her American husband are celebrating the birth of daughter Kofi. Others sidelined by new arrivals are Cassandra Williams, who has had a son Xavier, Lisa Seiler, a daughter Eva, and Kate Henderson, a son zac. Footnote: The Ratettes still have managed to be in second place to Sydney university.
Glen Christini, who has revived Parramatta with his livewire coaching, has begun negotiations to extend his contract with the Two Blues which finishes this year. He says: “The talent’s here and we definitely want to stay and finish what we’ve started.”
You are riding a horse at constant speed. There is a sheer drop to your right. On your left is an elephant travelling at the same speed. In front of you is a kangaroo and behind you a tiger. How can you escape? Answer at bottom of the column.
There is talk of a white knight offering to write off the debts of a Sydney rugby club and putting up $100,000 a year to help run it.
Once team-mates at Randwick, David Knox and Mark Giacheri were united when Giacheri, who shared the Country coaching duties against Sydney on Saturday, invited Knoxy, who won 13 Wallaby caps, to work with the Country backs against Sydney. Giacheri also is coaching at Newington in the GPS competition.
Catching the eye in the Gordon under 10s in last weekend’s Junior State Championships were triplets Gregor, Stuart and Duncan Dingley from the Wahroonga Tigers.
You can’t beat a rollicking rugby lunch and we’ve got a few coming up. For instance, the Australian Schools Foundation lunch next Friday at the Four Seasons hotel in George St which has Jake White, Stu Wilson, Tim Horan, Sally Loane and funny man Paul Martell appearing. Tickets from Audrey Coupe at [email protected]. And that’s not all. If you like hilarity mixed with your rugby, Manly’s lunch on July 27 at the Four Seasons in George Street, is for you. Kerry O’Keeffe and Foxtel’s Sean Maloney are VERY funny. For tickets, call James Forsyth at 99778269. As an aperitif for the Australia –All Blacks clash the next day, Sydney university’s big lunch at the Westin looks the goods. With Sir Graham Henry, Pat Howard and David Kirk topping the bill, need we say more?
Beau Brummel is alive and well and playing lower grades as a feisty flanker with Randwick. He was picked for CHS 2nds while growing up in the bush. A far cry from the legendary Beau, who was an upper class English dandy in the 1880s who reputedly took five hours to dress and polished his boots with champagne. Beau II’s brother Pat is a halfback in Colts for Randwick.
Jack Isaac, the former Easts player whose coaching has just taken Biarritz to victory over Toulon in the final of the Amlin Cup, is back in Sydney for a break. With Biarritz now in the Heineken Cup, he has had two years added to his contract at an increased payment.
The Wallabies’ thumping victory over Wales followed the Sydney Convicts returning from Manchester with the Bingham Cup and Bingham Bowl, symbols of world supremacy among gay rugby players.
Telling the media like it is. Lara Bingle on her fling with Danny Cipriani, the English international who had a stint with the Melbourne Rebels: “He dropped me so fast my arse cheeks are still hurting.” Don’t you love her.
Answer: Get off the merry-go-round.
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HSBC1089_Match_Day_Program.indd 1 5/04/12 3:38 PM
Club FORm ANd POiNTS-SCORiNg
WON him SElECTiON FOR SydNEy.
ANGuS SINCLAIRTwenty-two year old goal-kicking flyhalf Angus
Sinclair is leading Eastern Suburbs’ charge towards the finals. Sinclair has scored over a third of the beasties’ total points and sits second on the individual points scoring list
with 88. “i’m pretty happy with that – i’d like a few more tries, but that’s alright,” he jokes.
A Shore boy, Sinclair moved to the beasties last year and like all newcomers, started out in fourth grade. “i had lots of mates
over at Easts and i just thought i’d go over and give it a crack. it’s a really friendly
club; everyone gets along really well and that definitely helps out on the field.”
by the end of last season he had progressed to first grade and made his run-on debut against gordon. “it was a
very tight game but i was lucky enough to play outside brendan mcKibbin, so that
made things a lot easier,” he says.
Now in his first full season in first grade, Sinclair is growing in confidence,
composure and stature while spearheading a potent attacking force.
Sinclair’s club form attracted the attention of matt briggs who selected him for the Sydney
team that played Country at Concord Oval last weekend. briggs was effusive in his
praise for the way Sinclair controlled the fast paced representative match and his tireless dedication to goal kicking at training. “i was
lucky to get the opportunity to play and i loved every minute of it,” said Sinclair. “i just like getting out there on my own and kicking a
few goals, it’s really relaxing,” he explained.
With plenty of exposure this season and the AbC cameras at Woollahra Oval today,
Sinclair may have to put his soon-to-be finished Economics degree aside in place
of higher honours. “The last year has been a pretty big jump for me but i’d love to keep going and play Super Rugby. At the moment
With more than 65% of Test and Super Rugby players in Australia coming from Sydney Premier Rugby competition clubs, this really is the Premier Rugby competition.
And what better way to enjoy Premier Rugby than at the grounds, supporting your local team.
SYDNEY RUGBY UNION.
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If you see people wandering around dressed in red, speaking another brand of English, humming hymns and patriotic songs, some with cauliflower ears, then you’ll know who they are and why they’re here.
It’s because Wales are in the midst of their tour, playing the Wallabies again in Melbourne tonight and finishing with the third Test at Allianz Stadium next Saturday afternoon.
Just looking at the names in their touring squad brings memories flooding back. You might have guessed four are named Jones, another four are Williams and – don’t know what’s happened with this clan – only two Davies.
My first encounter with Welsh rugby goes back to 1966 when the Wallabies faced–and defeated them – at Cardiff Arms Park.
The vibrant singing beforehand by the many thousands in the packed stands, and then during the Test, was something no-one could ever forget.
One of our forwards conceded later that “when that singing resumed at intervals during the Test you could feel their damned forwards hit just that much harder….” Incidentally, we won, 14-11.
From thereon I was hooked by the Welsh, adoring their passion for the game and the fact they weren’t vindictive towards the opposition. It was the rugby they loved.
The inhabitants of landmark towns like Aberavon, Pontypridd, Swansea, Bridgend, Ebbw Vale, Cross Keys, Llanelli, Abertillery, Neath, Newport and Pontypool are mostly from mining backgrounds and all share rugby as their lifeblood.
During that 1966 tour, chief rugby writer for Cardiff’s Western Mail–the national newspaper–was J B G Thomas. I might have penned a few words, but nobody wrote more about rugby than him.
Through tours, both there and here, we became lifelong friends and he would go to lengths explaining the passion behind, and reason for, the singing and patriotic actions.
For example, towards the end of that 1966 Test, with Wales on the brink of defeat, the 50,000-odd people began singing again in the Welsh tongue.
JBG was silent a while, then emotionally told me ”that is the highest honour they can pay the Wallabies…they have enjoyed your rugby so much that, through that song, they’re asking them to come and play for them again sometime...”
Another Welshman with whom I became close was Clem Thomas, who won 26 caps as a flanker, was captain nine times, and toured South Africa with the 1955 British & Irish Lions. Later, he took up the pen and wrote for The Observer, which is when our paths really entwined.
Once, we met at his home in Swansea and, before dinner, decided to have a pint at the local. We walked in, I asked what he wanted and opened my wallet to pay. “Put it away,” said Clem, at which point we were surrounded by virtually everyone else in the bar wanting to buy this famous rugby player – and his Aussie mate – their beers. This always happened, he confided.
Clem died in 1996, aged 67, but the name lives on through his Greg, who has become internationally identified in the rugby media.
I was there again with the 1984 Wallabies and seated in the media box alongside another player-turned journalist, Mervyn Davis, his nation’s most capped No 8 with 38 appearances, plus eight Lions caps.
An historic moment arrived when the Wallabies, close to the try-line, had the scrum feed, our forwards dropped even lower on Tom Lawton’s call and, when Nick Farr-Jones fed the ball, they gave it everything, straining every muscle and tissue to the limit, desperately going for a pushover try.
Slowly, ever so slowly, the Welsh pack began to skid, then slide and finally crumble under the pressure.
Eventually, they had been shoved over their line and when No 8 Steve Tuynman put his hand on the ball the Wallabies had scored their famous pushover try...against Wales at the Arms Park!
Alongside me, Davies was aghast. Then, speaking seemingly to himself, he confided that “I never thought I’d ever see that…anyone scoring a pushover try against us; here of all places.” That was indeed among the most edifying moments in the Wallabies triumphal march to the Grand Slam.
So, they’re back. Treat them respectfully. Their whole nation is watching.
“… I was hooked by the Welsh, adoring their passion for the game…”
by Jim Webster
MADMAR1166 - Sth Districts Rugby mag.indd 1 16/04/12 10:23 AM
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Three rounds remain until the Shute Shield clubs are split into two groups, top six and bottom six, which play each other once. The draw after round 11 will be done on a Club Championship points basis which ensures Parramatta, bowling along in sixth spot in the first grade table, will be in the bottom group as they don’t field teams in Colts 2 and 3. Club Championship points only determine the draw. Win/draw/bonus points will continue to be accumulative and the top eight in each grade will contest the Finals play-offs.
In the most topsy turvy competition in memory, with only two points separating the four top clubs, one simply expects the unexpected. For instance, in the last round, Penrith, way back in eleventh spot, upset competition leaders Southern Districts 24-20 at Forshaw Park.
Who would have believed that Randwick would be without a win after eight rounds? Still, the men in myrtle green restricted Easts to 18-10 in their last game and those who saw it are adamant they are not far from a win.
Some Super Rugby players are on deck for a round in which the ABC’s TV cameras will be at Woollahra for Easts v Sydney university, while Manly make the dreaded trip to the old Granville Park, which now luxuriates in the more elegant title of Merrylands RSL Rugby Park, to tackle big improvers Parramatta. Two tip top matches.
EASTERN SUBURBS v SYDNEY UNIvERSITYSydney university are looking to the passion of Waratah Tom Carter to be an X-factor when he returns to club rugby to provide extra oomph in the centre in this important game against Eastern Suburbs at Woollahra.
Easts, chasing their seventh straight victory under coach Mark Bakewell, are boosted by the return of Richard Stanford in the back-row and Australian Sevens player Damon Anderson on the wing.
“It’ll be a game of ferocious intensity across the field,” predicts Todd Louden, coach of fourth placed university, for whom flanker Jono Jenkins is back after playing for the Waratahs against the Hurricanes
and the Western Force has cleared Alfie Mafi to play fullback. utility back Nathan Trist will be playing his 100th game for the Students.
Tip: Sydney University
Next two games: Easts v Southern Districts, Norths; Sydney uni v Eastwood, Parramatta
PARRAMATTA v MANLYThis one should be a cracker at the old ground once known as Granville Park. Sam Yakapo returns at No 10 to lift Parramatta’s midfield zip as the Two Blues bid for the sixth victory of the season that would keep them in sixth spot in the Shute Shield.
Full credit to coach Glen Christini, who has the rare knack of bringing discipline to Islander flair. Well,
mATCh PREViEWS by Terry Smith
Nathan Trist plays his 100th game for Sydney Uni today.
SYDNEY PREMIER RuGBY
8
more than most coaches can. “Our destiny is in our hands and we want to make a statement.” says Christini. Second-rower Adam Coleman has been a special figure in Parramatta’s revival, while loose-head prop Nick Blacklock, only 20, has been the find of the season.
Reacting sharply to losses at the hands of Easts and Eastwood, Manly coach Tim Lane has injected Marshall Milroy, Damien Reti and Peter Gilmore into the backs, with a decision being delayed whether Milroy or hooker Josh Mann-Rea will take the kicks at goal.
Tip: Manly
Next two games: Parramatta v Randwick, Sydney university; Manly v West Harbour, Gordon
WARRINGAH v SOUTHERN DISTRICTSWarringah coach Sam Harris isn’t frightened to take a punt on a young player. For today’s home game
against Souths, he has tossed young Englishman Josh Smith into the hot-seat at No 10 in a reshuffled backline. Smith e-mailed Harris offering his services, paid his fare to Australia and now finds himself in first grade. “He’s little, but he’s good,” says Harris.
“I wanted him in the team.” Hamish Angus moves to fullback, resulting in the switch of speed machine David Feltscheer to the wing.
Souths dasher Brackin Karauria-Henry switches from fullback to the centre, with Dallas Pawley coming into the second-row in place of Englishman Andrew Archibald, who has joined a Hong Kong club following the expiry of his visa. Souths have lost prop Tim Metcher for six weeks with ankle damage.
Tip: Warringah
Next two matches: Warringah v Norths, Penrith; Souths v Easts, Eastwood
EASTWOOD v RANDWICKThe refusal of Waratah officials to allow Chris Alcock to play for Eastwood has been countered by the Melbourne Rebels clearing Woodies skipper Hugh Perrett to take the field. At the time of writing it was hoped Jim Hilgendorf would be able to fill the centre spot created by the departure of Sione Piukala to France. Randwick are 0-7 but showing signs of improvement.
Tip: Eastwood
Hamish Angus moves to fullback in a revamped Warringah backline.
West Harbour hooker Paul Ngauamo had a big game for Sydney against Country.
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TIPSTERS PANEL
Dilip Kumar Former ARU Chairman
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Sean Maloney
Fox Sports
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Gordon Bray Rugby
Commentator
38
Terry Smith Sports Journo
38
Jim Webster Rugby Journo
35
Brett PapworthABC Tv
38
Kerry Chikarovski
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EASTS
SOUTHS
PENRITH
EASTWOOD
MANLY
WESTS
SYDNEY UNI
SOUTHS
PENRITH
EASTWOOD
MANLY
GORDON
SYDNEY UNI
SOUTHS
NORTHS
EASTWOOD
MANLY
GORDON
SYDNEY UNI
WARRINGAH
PENRITH
EASTWOOD
MANLY
WESTS
SYDNEY UNI
SOUTHS
NORTHS
EASTWOOD
PARRAMATTA
GORDON
SYDNEY UNI
SOUTHS
PENRITH
EASTWOOD
MANLY
GORDON
SYDNEY UNI
SOUTHS
PENRITH
EASTWOOD
PARRAMATTA
GORDON
Round 10FRidAy, JuNE 22
Northern Suburbs v Warringah at North Sydney Oval–7.30pm
Manly v West Harbour at Manly Oval–8.20pm
SATuRdAy, JuNE 23
Southern Districts v Eastern Suburbs at Forshaw Park – 1.10pm (ABC TV Game)
Randwick v Parramatta at Coogee Oval 1.30pm
SuNdAy, JuNE 24
Sydney university v Eastwood at university Oval–3pm
Penrith v Gordon at Nepean Rugby Park at – 3pm
NExT WEEK’S GAMES
Next two matches: Eastwood v Sydney university, Southern Districts; Randwick v Parramatta, West Harbour.
GORDON v WEST HARBOURAfter their dashing play for Sydney against Country Origin last Saturday, West Harbour pair Oleni Ngungutau and Paul Ngauamo step into the spotlight at Chatswood against a lively young Gordon team with an average age of not more than 21. Playing on the wing instead of his customary fullback spot, some of Ngungutau’s broken field running for Sydney drew comparisons with the great David Campese.
Ngauamo played hooker for two years in Canterbury’s under 20 representative side before coming here from New zealand.
Tip: West Harbour
Next two matches: Gordon v Penrith, Manly; Wests v Manly, Randwick
PENRITH v NORTHSTough to pick. Penrith, playing at home, are coming off a stunning 24-20 upset of Southern Districts which knocked the Rebels off the top of the table. “It’ll be won and lost up front,” says Norths coach Scott Fava. “That’s where they’ll try to get us.” Through strong performances in the lower grades, Norths sit fifth in the club championship which determines the six clubs in the top group for the last five rounds.
They have high hopes for winger Corey Brown, who tops the Shute Shield try-scorers by two with nine. According to Fava, he is ready to step up to the next level.
Tip: Penrith
Next two matches: Penrith v Gordon, Warringah
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Referee: Ed martinAssistant Referees: Tim Wills, brendon Farrar
Bench
4th grade – henderson Cup: 10.55 Referee: Andrew Schwilk
ed mossandrew dovganJames knightkeith CoassinTom manganBennett CarrollTerito marekuraJames fitzgerald
Joe JenkinsSam PalmerTom Gurrandrew StannardJames NakkanNick marshallScott Barnes Crowe/fitzgerald
NORThERN SubuRbSRed and Black
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marTy PlokSTyS CHrIS HIll Barry fa'amauSIlI mITCH leeS Tom alexaNder GareTH Palamo mIleS mCCaffrey HuGH PerreTT (C)mICk SNoWdeN BarNey Wood mark froST JImmy HIlGeNdorf mICHael mcdouGall NICk BaTGer BeN BaTGer
Parramatta 15 (Iese Leota, Mosese Tavola tries; Tom Woods con, pen) West Harbour 12 (Michael Alaalatoa, Sione Tau tries; Shaun Treweek con)
SHUTE SHIELD ROUND 8 SCORERS
*randwick deducted 30 points for rule breach in Colts 1. *Penrith deducted 12 points for late forfeit in Colts 2. *Warringah deducted 8 points for late forfeit in Colts 3.
*randwick deducted 30 points for rule breach in Colts 1. *Penrith deducted 12 points for late forfeit in Colts 2. *Warringah deducted 8 points for late forfeit in Colts 3.
Two decisions from Rugby administrators have me baffled. The first was to play an International against Scotland on a Tuesday night in Newcastle and the second is this year’s Shute shield competition format.This year the competition only goes for 16 rounds and hence there is no home and away as in previous years. Playing every team twice is the fairest way to determine which sides should play in the semi finals. Hopefully the administrators see that this year’s format favours poor performances. One can only hope that common sense prevails and we go back to a home and away competition in 2013.Anyway enough of that, let’s look at this week’s games.
SOuThS V WARRiNgAh AT FORShAW Rugby PARKThe Rats should be too strong for South’s in this game. Look for the Rats forward pack to be too powerful with Tim Conlon and Sam Nicholas leading them around. South’s danger man will be their outside centre Paul Asquith.
NORThS V PENRiTh AT bON ANdREWS OVAlNorth’s have been the big improvers in 2012 and should win easily against Penrith. Penrith have a good coach and have been trying all season but class should prevail in this one.The North’s forward pack is formidable with the likes of strongman Will Weeks, left arm bowler come second row Hugh Sinclair and Jack “Piggy” Walters dominating in the tough stuff.
SydNEy uNiVERSiTy V EASTERN SubuRbS AT ST PAulS COllEgEIt always amuses me that with the might of Sydney university Rugby they play on a second rate oval.
In saying that it’s worked for them as they have umpteen colts premierships. It is common knowledge in colt’s world that Easts have a plethora of injuries so this could be the chance for uni to get revenge for losing to Easts twice last year.
RANdWiCK V EASTWOOd AT COOgEE OVAlThis should be the game of the round. The Woodies are not as consistent as last year and the Randwick boys are hitting their straps.Randwick’s fortunes will depend on whether their centre Terrence Hepetema plays colts or grade. He is a superstar. The Wicks flanker Mark Baldwin is another talent to watch. I am tipping a Wicks victory.
mANly V PARRAmATTA AT mANly OVAlManly coach Jono Harvey has his team well drilled. They play with vigour at the breakdown and send the ball wide in attack. The Marlins number 6 Rhys Dombkins is a terrific player and leads by example.Manly should have no problems in beating Parramatta.
WEST hARbOuR V gORdON AT CONCORd OVAlIt is amazing the difference two quality players can make to a 1st colts team. If Gordon has their two stars then they should beat West Harbour. The two players for Gordon are centre Henry Carmichael and back rower Gordon Broome. If those two play I would tip Gordon however West’s have a pool of talent and haven’t really clicked yet. Maybe it’s time that Wests put it on the field and play to their potential. Wests should win.
Level 8, 283 George Street Sydney NSW 2000 | Tel: (02) 9267 8655 Fax: (02) 9261 4361 | Email: [email protected]
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In 2011 NSW Junior Rugby union playing numbers exceeded 20,000 for the first time. And for around 2500 juniors the June long weekend was very special for they were participating in the NSWJRu State Championships played over three days.Good fortune allowed all Grand Finals to be played on Monday even though Sydney was drenched with non-stop torrential rain. T.G. Millner Field, the main Grand Finals venue, held up pretty well considering six GF’s were contested throughout the day, starting at 9.15am.Participating teams for the pool matches came from ACT and all over NSW. Match venues ranged from Orange and Camden to many grounds around Sydney.In total, 243 Junior Championship games were played over the weekend and it was great to see quite a few Sydney Premier Rugby players giving time to the juniors as coaches.Waratahs p layers Nathan Tr is t , Damien Fitzpatrick, Greg Peterson and Paddy Ryan spoke to players prior to presenting medallions and trophies.u17 champions Parramatta deserve a special mention. A lot of these boys have been together since winning their first Grand Final as u12s in 2007. As they have gone up in age groups with
Parramatta Juniors they have won five Grand Finals in six years.Waratahs players, rugby identities and onlookers were full of admiration for their ball handling, control and execution of lead up work to tries scored in the slush.If the Two blues can bring these young players through to the senior club it will augur well for the future. Australia’s largest Junior Rep Carnival may have ended on a very wet day but the standard of rugby was terrific. So too, was the crowd size.
NSWJRu STATE ChAmPiONShiPS gRANd FiNAl RESulTS
u/11s Manly 14 Gordon 7
u/12s ACT Brumbies 14 Gordon 10
u/13s ACT Brumbies 32 Randwick 5
u 14s ACT Brumbies 8 Gordon 5
u/15s Warringah 19 Gordon 8
u/16s Gordon 8 Northern Suburbs 5
u/17s Parramatta 22 Randwick 5
- Jim Davis
(More photos - see overleaf)
NSWJRu STATE ChAmPiONShiPSJuNE 9, 10 AND 11.
U14s Grand Final winners, ACT Brumbies, with their Shield
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L to R - NSWJRU President Paul Taylor; Waratahs second-rower, Greg Peterson; Waratahs hooker Damien Fitzpatrick; NSWRU Executive Director, Bruce Worboys prior to presentations.
Wet but very happy U15s winners, Warringah, proudly show off their Trophy.
U17s Champions Parramatta played wet weather rugby hat was a pleasure to watch.
NSWJRu STATE ChAmPiONShiPS
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Sydney centre Anton Lavin (Eastern Suburbs) can’t get through the tackle of Toby Browne (Randwick/Cowra). A few players stood out for Sydney and Country, were noted, and spoken of after the game by coaches.
Photos by Karen Watson Photography.
Sydney (Penrith) prop Richard Aho about to give NSW Graincorp Country Gold Cockatoos prop James Smith (Northern Suburbs/Shoalhaven) a big welcome to the annual contest. An enthralling game of rugby saw Sydney overcome
a good Country side 26 – 13 on a pristine Concord Oval.
SydNEy V COuNTRy JuNE 9.
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There was at least one happy supporter down at Easts Rugby Club last week when Scotland beat the Wallabies in the worst playing conditions ever. It was Beasties Life Member, time-keeper, former player and coach, the great Jock Cornet who was cheering his native Scotland on from the bar. Jock has lived in Australia for over 60 years and people
s t i l l c a n ’ t u n d e r s t a n d h i s s t r o n g S c o t t i s h a c c e n t . I t doesn’t help w h e n h e h a s a f e w t o o m a n y s c h o o n e r s . Good on you Jock.
Jock Cornet
Still on the Test, watching Berrick Barnes hold the football for goalkicker, Mike Harris in the debacle last week when the Wallabies lost to Scotland brought back memories.
Back in the 70’s when East’s were playing the Students at university Oval I remember a Sydney university player holding the football in windy conditions for his team-mate, a right foot kicker. Only problem he was lying on the left hand side of the ball until he realised he should have been on the other side… I think that same bloke became a doctor.
The Asian Rugby Football union was founded in 1968 with eight member unions. In the past decade its membership has trebled to 28 full and associate member un ions ranging f rom Kazakhstan in the north to Indonesia in the south and Lebanon in the west to Guam in the east. The ARFu covers a territory of over 44 million square kilometres and more than 3 billion people. Also the Asian Rugby Football union is the sanctioning body for the HSBC Asian 5 Nations, which every
four years acts as the qualifying event for the Rugby World Cup, and the HSBC Asian Sevens Series, which was held for the first time in 2011. ARFu also offers organized internat ional competition for women and youth across Asia.
The trophy presented to the winners of the Top 5 competition in the HSBC Asian 5 Nations is one of the most unique pieces of silverware in world sport. Presented to the Asian Rugby Football union by Rugby India and like the Calcutta Cup, the A5N trophy was made in India by the 100-year old silversmith family, the Whorra Brothers. The trophy returned to India as part of the HSBC Division II tournament held in Delhi prior to the Commonwealth Games in 2010. The captain and vice-captain of the India team, Nasser Hussain and Rohaan Sethna helped take the trophy back to its original makers prior to the tournament.
About a year ago Randwick Sponsor, Allen Stutchbury visited Jeff Sayle at his place in Coogee and after a few libations he asked if he could use the toilet. “Sorry mate it’s been blocked for a week” said Sayley “The plumbers are coming round today to fix it”. Allen is pleased to announce that some 12 months after his visit Jeffery Sayle has advised him that the toilet is now operational.
Belmont Shore located in Long Beach, Southern California won the uSA Division I National Championships recently which followed up their uSA 7’s National Championship. As a whole the club wins were 60-0 in all grades, a remarkable achievement. There have been many Sydney Grade players turn out for the club since it was formed in 1974 from the Long Beach Rugby Club.
One of those many players was former Wallaby, Warrick Waugh who played in the Las Vegas Tournament in the early 90’s while fellow Wallaby, Michael Brial, who was injured at the time, watched from the sideline.
LOOKALIKES… Sydney university coach, Todd Louden and Manly Rugby League fill in five-eighth, Liam Foran, brother of Keiran.
If you have any stories or news please email [email protected] or call: 0438 416 222.