Author: 22metri

The Rebels and the Blues opened the 2017 Super Rugby season, with an easy Blues win. Both teams had something to prove; The Rebels wanted to stamp its authority in an uncertain Australian conference, the blues want a return to the glory days of early 2000.  however tonight, it would be the  New Zealand fans who would go home smiling after a dominant second half. The first game is often a game of its own and big conclusions shall not be drawn out it. Bu,t clearly the Rebels should go back to the drawing board, with a lot of homework to do after a 38…

The “Clockwork Orange” Eagles has defeated the Rising in Newcastle to book their first NRC final. In a vibrant match NSW Country prevailed 50-24 against Melbourne with an excellent game of rugby and will host the grand final in Tamworth next week against the winner of tomorrow’s match between Sydney Rays and Perth Spirit. The Melbourne team has lost its third semifinal in three years. The Eagles showed great composure and patience during the whole game, controlling every aspect of the game and confirming their credentials to be the Brisbane City’s successors on top of the NRC. Embed from Getty Images First Half: The Melbourne Rising were hot out…

Green and Gold Rugby caught up with Melbourne Rising Head Coach Zane Hilton ahead of the 2016 NRC season. The coach for the second year at the helm of the Melbourne outfit is confident his boys will have a good run in the competition, but was reluctant to make any predictions on the season keeping focus on the importance of the NRC to grow talent and to give valuable playing minutes to less used Super Rugby players. In his second season as head coach, Zane is confident the Rising will have a good run in the competition.  However, Hilton is reluctant to…

Can the Melbourne Rising take the next step to premiership glory? The Rising have selected a strong squad, with plenty of Super Rugby experience.   In true NRC spirit, there is a host of local Club and Australia U20 team players in the side. The Rising play and exciting brand of Rugby; the play a high-tempo game, using a mobile forward pack and speed to burn out wide.  The Rising helped to launch Super Rugby stars; Jack Debreczei, Sean McMahon, and Sefa Naivalu to name just a few.  It also helped to reinvent Lopeti as a damaging Lock, with the form…

Harlequins fall just short of a fourth premiership in a row, and hand the Dewar Shield to the Unicorns. In a top game of rugby at RHL Sparks Reserve, Melbourne defeated Harlequins by a single point to claim their 18th premier grade title. The two teams dominated the season finishing first and second. Both teams lost only one game each and drew their second match in the regular season. Quins defeated the Unicorns in the major semi-final forcing them to play Box Hill in the preliminary final, but the week rest enjoyed by the three-time reigning champions did not show…

The Melbourne Unicorns defeat the Box Hill Broncos and advance to the Grand Final. As predicted the Grand Final in the Dewar Shield will be against the two form sides; Harlequins and Melbourne. In a display of strong on-field organisation, solid defence and deadly speed from the backs the Unicorns downed the Broncos 35-14. The first half of match was one sided, with the Unicorns scoring four Tries to none. They didn’t do it easy, playing one man down in the half. Aaron Kelly was punished early in the game by referee Oliver Kellett early on for a dangerous tackle.…

 Minor Semi-Final The Box Hill Broncos have beaten Power House and progress to the preliminary final. After one of most chaotic off field weeks in the recent history of the Dewar Shield play-offs, the aggression finally moved from the meeting rooms to the playing field. Due to a protest, the set up for the finals was confirmed by the VRU only on Thursday.  Power House was certain to play but their opponent and the location of the game depended on a possible sanction against Box Hill, which could have seen Endeavour Hills being granted a play-off berth. …

After a long debate the Victorian Rugby Union has confirmed the results of the Dewar Shield season  2016. On Saturday evening, Box Hill Broncos celebrations for the win against Harlequin and the third place were put on hold by the rumors all could be changed. The Broncos’ position was under review due to competition rules infringements. The club played two un-registered players early in the season. This could have had catastrophic consequences on the ladder, with Box Hill risking to be stripped of 10 competition points and two other clubs being awarded wins for the games in question, crucially one of…

With Box Hill almost certain of a third spot finish, the race for the last available play off berth heats up in the Dewar Shield Out of three contenders, Endeavour Hills, currently in sixth position, has fewer chances. The Eagles are 5 points behind fourth placed Power House and trail fifth place Moorabbin by 4. But the calendar is not so bad for Endeavour Hills. The Eagles  will rest this round and cash the 4 points for the bye, whereas their opponents will face tough games. Power House will visit top of the ladder Harlequin and Moorabbin will host Box Hill. This…

The awaited top of the table Dewar Shield clash ends in an entertaining draw, where both team could have scored a win. The Match  Despite some wasted opportunities, it was a hard-fought battle at Ashwood reserve.  In a tight encounter, both teams were held to ten points each. First Half The kick-off was delayed, due to a serious injury in the match prior to this one.  Play commenced at 4:10pm, an hour after the scheduled start time.  We wish the injured player all the best in his recovery. Harlequins were early on attack, and put Melbourne under pressure.  However, they were…

Tomorrow’s match between Harlequin and Melbourne will see the two best teams of the Dewar Shield locking horns. Harlequins have so far run a perfect season, winning all the 13 matches played scoring a bonus point.  The Melbourne Unicorns have lost only the game against Harlequins and, with three games to play before the end of the regular season are already set for the second place. This ensures the two team will meet again in the preliminary final and, likely, in the grand final. Green and Gold Rugby has spoken with Pom Simona, head coach of Harlequin and his counterpart…

The Stormers defeat the Melbourne Rebels in an entertaining match at AAMI Park. The Match The last home Match for the Rebels unfortunately didn’t attract a big crowd. The match, even if ended up with a loss for the home team, was highly entertaining, with both teams playing hard for a win. Eleven tries and more than a point per minute played kept the spectators entertained for the whole game. For the home fans the game has been the last chance to see foundation member Luke Jones before he will head to French Top14 club Bordeaux. Although a last minute withdrawal denied Mike Harris the chance to farewell the…

Round 15 in the Victorian Dewar Shield is unlikely to see any upset results. With the top of the ladder teams facing the lower half of the competition, and Moorabbin enjoying the bye, the round should maintain the status quo. The all-conquering Harlequins return from the bye to face strugglers Footscray Bulldogs. Despite the match being played at the Dogs’ pound, the home team doesn’t present a threat to the competition frontrunners. Second placed Melbourne Unicorns will play Southern Districts at Home.  The Pirates finally scored their first win last week, thanks to a last minute try and a conversion from the…

Round Fourteen of the Dewar Shield has Power House defeated Endeavour Hills to take the fourth place from Moorabbin, and a first win for Southern Districts. The Match  Power House had a convincing six tries to two win over Endeavour Hills.  The game between the House and the Eagles was a tough encounter in a cold but sunny afternoon, played on a soggy pitch soaked by the rain that has fallen the whole week on Melbourne.  As Moorabbin lost to Melbourne, Power House move into fourth position on the Dewar Shield ladder. First Half Power House were first to score, with a…

Round 14 of the Dewar Shield will be crucial to determining the top four. With the top three teams all but decided, Power House and Endeavour Hills will face off in a crucial battle for the last spot in the top four. The game at Albert Park has a lot at stake and will be the most critical of the round.  The House started slow but, they have fought throughout the season and is now a serious contender for finals.  If they win against Endeavour Hills, and Moorabbin lose to Melbourne, they can move into the fourth position. The Eagles looked…

Round 10 of the Dewar Shield sees Box Hill face off against Melbourne, in another top four battle. The fight for the second place will see the third placed Broncos host the Unicorns, second on the ladder, at RHL Sparks Reserve tomorrow. Back in round two, the clash between the two teams delivered a nail-biting encounter, where the Unicorns held on to the Broncos comeback in the dying minutes of the game. Tomorrow, the two teams will square off once again at RHL Sparks Reserve. We are expecting another good match between the only two teams that may challenge Harlequins…

With a 27 point win over second-placed Box Hill, the Quins send another clear message to the rest of the Dewar Shield competition. The Match  Often regarded as the benchmark in the Dewar Shield, the Ashwood-based team has won all games so far in the first half of the competition, and in doing so has gained an attacking bonus point every time. The game between Harlequins and Box Hill has attracted a decent crowd at Ashwood Reserve and entertained for most of the time the spectators. The result has been in the balance up to midway through the second half,…

The top four teams in the Dewar Shield seem to have an edge on the competition this year.  Harlequins are flying high, with the Broncos and Unicorns only at one length distance.  The Eagles are the only team keeping the pace, only 8 points clear of fifth placed Moorabbin and look already well placed for a play-off berth. The Matches Harlequin vs Box Hill After having faced and beaten Melbourne two weeks ago, Harlequins will host Box Hill in another blockbuster The three times defending champions will host the 2014 runners up at home tomorrow in a match that can clearly…

A tough game awaits the Rebels in Hamilton, where they will face the in-form Chiefs. The Chiefs had the bye last week, and will look to maintain their position in the New Zealand conference. The Rebels have only won a single game in New Zealand, defeating the Crusaders in Round 1 2015.  They need at least a losing bonus-point to keep alive their slim hopes of a maiden finals berth. The home team will be without Charlie Ngatai, who is recovering from a head knock.  He has amassed some amazing stats this season, including defenders beaten (38).  He only runs second…

An insidious home game against Moorabbin will test Box Hill second place on the ladder. The Broncos jumped to second position on the ladder, thanks to the Unicorns’ home loss against the all-conquering Harlequins.  But tomorrow, they’ll face a tough opponent in the Moorabbin Rams. Both teams come off victories in last week’s round.   The Broncos smashed Melbourne University at home last Saturday by 29 points, the Rams scrapped past the Bulldogs away. Despite the fifth position on the ladder the Rams have a solid outfit that can find cracks in the sometime not so solid Broncos’ set pieces. If…