#SIRU2014 Finals Week Two Preview:
From what I saw last weekend, there was some entertaining rugby on the weekend, Griffith v Waratahs 1st Grade was a cracker with Dan Rawaqa setting up one of the best tries I’ve seen scored in this area of the world. CSU had a disappointing end to their season at the hands of the Steamers, but that’s footy. Roll on this weekend, another weekend with great weather, do or die footy, cracking defence and scintillating attack!
The Second Grade fixtures will highlight the depth of talent out there amongst the clubs this weekend with CSU-Tumut and City-Aggies providing a platform for those lower grade players to show their wares. In Thirsty Thirds, Junee and Waratahs have (interestingly) opted for a 7:30pm Friday night fixture which could test the hamstrings while Hay and Ag College will meet at Fortress Murrayfield for an early hitout.
PREMIER DIVISION:
FIRST GRADE:
Waratahs (1) v Albury (3) – Murrayfield @ 3:15pm, Ref: M Del Gigante
The old foe meet again. I’ve heard some pundits referring to this match as a traditional rivalry, some would say that there is no love lost between these two clubs; whatever your take on the relationship between Waratahs and Albury is, this match is going to be a physical hitout for both teams. Waratahs will be driven by their GF smoking at the hands of the Steamers in 2013 and the Steamers are hell bent on making three Grand Finals in a row.
The Steamers will enjoy being at home this weekend; they have a pretty decent record at home and will see this weekend as a great opportunity for them to knock off their archrivals this weekend. From a Waratahs perspective, Hugh Palmer will be keen to see how Jake Eaglesham pulls up this week and will no doubt be seeing what the local veterinarian is up to on Friday afternoon – cortisone anyone? It’s difficult to measure the impact that one player makes to a team (and Waratahs are by no means a one man team) but there is no doubt that Eaglesham adds another level to Waratahs in attacked and defence.
Waratahs should be looking back on their match against Griffith as proof that they can go the distance with a Griffith outfit that are no doubt on the up. That game was a tough game last week and Waratahs will be better for it. From where I was sitting, Waratahs had their chances but probably need to work on a way of shoring up that first line of defence and creating a firmer defensive position rather than an at times staggered defensive line. Bottom line is, Griffith have some great attackers and you can’t give them an inch.
Albury were comprehensive against an injury depleted CSU team that was out of their depth. 62-10 tells the tale; Albury defended strongly and almost scored points at will. If I was playing or coaching, I’d be looking for my guys to step it up a level again this week. CSU made the Steamers work for their tries, but the Steamers will need to lift again this week against a Waratahs team that will provide considerably greater resistance this weekend.
The set-piece will be a key area for both teams as each forward pack pride themselves on this area of their game. Much has been said about the Waratahs forward pack this season, but life won’t be easy for them this week against a Steamers forward pack that looks very similar to their 2013 forward pack. The Steamers scrum is a highlight of their game and they will no doubt be looking to set a solid platform from this phase of the game tomorrow.
Both Waratahs and Albury have plenty of experience across the park, Nathan Bright, Richard Manion, Ash Lefevre (Albury) and Mick Gooden, Matt Shortis, Dave Armstrong (Waratahs) have plenty of big game experience in them. I was impressed by Sam Allen on the sting for the Steamers last week and his matchup with Steve Tracey at Fullback will be interesting to watch this weekend.
Players to watch: Liam Krautz and Tim Corcoran; Richard Manion and Jayden Stanton; James Kora and Mick Gooden.
SECOND GRADE:
CSU (2) v Tumut (4) – Jarrah Park @ 1:45pm, Ref: S Donelan
FIRST DIVISION:
FIRST GRADE:
Temora (8) v Tumut (5) – Jarrah Park @ 3:15pm, Ref: P Dean
This match is an interesting one for me. Both these teams have been steadily improving over the past two seasons and are both key teams in terms of how the 2014 competition has changed from 2013. These two teams in 2014 have stepped their game up another level but in recent weeks, they have both been soured by injury and are probably a bit wobbly at this stage of the season. That’s not to say that either team doesn’t deserve to be here, they definitely do, just that they probably need to focus at this crucial time of the season.
The Bulls gutsed it out against Aggies last week and should take pride in the fact that they managed to come back from 26-12 down at half time to peg Aggies late in the second half. The Tuskers appeared a bit shell-shocked last week against a Wagga City outfit that seemed to outplay them across the field.
Temora will be stoked to have the evergreen Bill McCrone back in the drivers seat again this week but are no doubt hurting with the loss of Casey Jordan and Campbell Maxwell. The go-forward and ball playing combinations that these three players had in 2013 was a key feature of their game. 2014 has arguably seen them focus more on a 10 man style of running rugby with crash balls through the centre and runners around the 10 channel.
Tumut’s forwards deserve some wraps for their consistent approach to the game last week, they were a key reason that the Bulls were able to grind out a victory last weekend and this type of effort will be needed again tomorrow if they are keen on playing next weekend. The ability of Jock Mason to purchase enough strapping tape between now and game time could prove to be a significant influence on tomorrow’s game.
Players to watch: Niko Degei and Will Reynolds; Bill McCrone and Cristino Manuelevo.
SECOND GRADE:
City (7) v Ag College (5) – Murrayfield @ 1:00pm, Ref: M Ryan
THIRD GRADE:
Ag College (2) v Hay (3) – Murrayfield @ 11:45am, Ref: L Gunn
Junee (1) v Waratahs (5) – Conolly Park #1 @ 7:30pm Friday, Ref: A Gunn
UNDER 17’s:
Wagga City v Temora – Jarrah Park @ 11:15am, Ref: M Lotz
Young v Waratahs – Jarrah Park @ 12:30pm, Ref: M Harris
WOMEN’s:
Two cracking games on the cards in the Women’s competition tomorrow. Wagga City and Aggies have both been strong competitors this season with Wagga City’s style revolving around a strong passing game, whereas Ag College are probably playing a bit more “off the cuff”. Leeton have been handy during the season and continue to show some flashy skills, Griffith would be disappointed by their efforts last weekend and should be looking to fire on all cylinders if they want to make the GF. Most punters would have tipped a Leeton v Griffith Grand Final rematch this year, but certainly didn’t expect it to be coming a week early!
City (3) v Ag College (5) – Murrayfield @ 2:30pm, Ref: T Reneker
Leeton (1) v Griffith (2) – Leeton #1 Oval @ 12:30pm, Ref: A Le Brocque
