South Australian Rugby Finals and NRC Build-Up

There’s a huge amount of exciting action coming to South Australian Rugby in the coming weeks, as the increasingly competitive finals races across all grades draw to a close.  With only 3 or 4 matches left for each club, those in finals contention will be busy plotting how to consolidate their spot, jump a few places or even just how to scrape in to the top four.

On top of that, the newly founded National Rugby Championship will be bringing a match to Adelaide this year, during week one of finals action. This competition, formed as a bridge between top-level club rugby and the Super 15 teams will see a number of hugely talented players progress through its ranks in the coming years. To have a match played in South Australia is a great opportunity for fans to see some of that national and international talent.

Finals Chatter:

It’s getting closer to that time of year, as we enter the 15^th of 18 total rounds of South Australian Rugby. That means that each club, each team only has 3 or 4 games left to make a push. In the Coopers Premier Grade the top four spots have been secured, with Old Collegians leading the way.

With an unassailable lead on the competition and after a number of heartbreaking losses in recent years, nothing less than a premiership will do for this team. The real race here is for that vital second place, which will guarantee a team that claims it a second finals chance. With Brighton, Burnside and Onkaparinga all in the running (with only 4 championship points, or one game, separating 2^nd from 3^rd), the competition over the coming weeks will be fierce.

While Burnside has long been the form team in this race, the recent play of Onkaparinga has the boys in blue looking over their shoulders. After grinding out an impressive win on the weekend, the latest in a string of outstanding performances, Onkas are brimming with confidence. While it could be said that Burnside has the easier run into the finals, there is no telling how this sprint will play out. And when you add reigning premiers Brighton to the mix, the battle becomes that much more interesting.

After a relatively up and down start to the season, Brighton have hit back in a large way in recent weeks, gaining confidence against lesser opponents. Their championship experience will hold them in good stead no matter where they place in the scheme of things.

And its not only the Coopers Premier Grade that has a tight finals race to look forward to, across the board in all divisions, teams are making unprecedented efforts to reach the extra rounds. The lower half of the Reserve grade is looking interesting, as Burnside, Brighton and Adelaide University look set to fight for the final two spots.

Third grade is similarly tight, with no team able to secure the top position, and 6 teams in the running for finals. All in all, South Australian Finals Rugby is just around the corner and boy are we excited.

National Rugby Championship Match:

Not only will the finals bring great local rugby action from South Australia’s men and woman, this year it will also include the round three NRC fixture between Perth Spirit and Greater Sydney Rams at Adelaide Airport Stadium (Thebarton Oval).

The NRC teams are made from a mixture of Wallabies, Super 15 and Australian club rugby players. While official squads for the game have not been released yet, it is likely that a number of Western Force players will be named for Perth Spirit. Similarly, a number of fringe Waratahs will likely suit up for Greater Sydney. There is even the possibility that a number of contracted Wallabies not selected for the test squad will make an appearance, with Rob Horne a distinct prospect. Meanwhile, Shute Shield stars such as Hugh Perrett and Mark Swanepoel will be sure to keep the crowd pleased and entertained.

Whatever the case, the talent playing is sure to be impressive. The format provides talented young players the opportunity to prove themselves against experienced opponents as they push for Super 15 selection.

The match will be played at 2pm,  and will be followed by Round One of the Reserve and Premier Grade finals. For a full list of finals games please see: http://www.sarugby.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Finals-Series-2014.pdf

Round 14 – 02/08/2014

Matches:

Brighton 61 def Woodville 20

Port Adelaide 29 def Southern Suburbs 27

Onkaparinga 27 def Burnside 24

Old Collegians (bye)

Second Grade

Brighton 33 def Woodville 19

Adelaide University 17 def Port Adelaide 5

Onkaparinga 23 def Burnside 15

Old Collegians 27 def Elizabeth 12

Women’s Premier Grade

Southern Suburbs 83 def Woodville 0

Onkaparinga 67 def Burnside 3

Old Collegians (bye)

Third Grade

Brighton 61 def Adelaide University 0

Barossa 22 def Old Collegians 10

Southern Suburbs 59 def North Torrens 10

Onkaparinga 50 def Burnside 17

Fourth Grade

Brighton 20 def Adelaide University 5

Elizabeth 12 def Old Collegians 5

Onkaparinga 20 def Burnside 0

Port Adelaide/North Torrens (bye)

Coopers Premier Grade Ladder

Team P W D L F A Df BP 4t BP <7p Pts Old Collegians 14 13 0 1 608 144 464 13 1 66 Burnside 14 10 0 4 374 270 104 9 2 51 Onkaparinga 14 10 1 3 384 296 88 8 0 50 Brighton 14 9 0 5 397 269 128 9 2 47 Port Adelaide 14 6 0 8 257 352 -95 7 2 33 Woodville 14 3 1 10 245 416 -171 4 3 21 Southern Suburbs 14 4 0 10 168 406 -238 4 1 21 Barossa 14 0 0 14 0 280 -280 0 0 0  P=Played   W=Wins   D=Draws   L=Losses   F=Points For   A=Points Against   Df=Points Difference   BP 4t=Four Tries   BP <7p=Close Losses   Pts=Ladder Points

Next Round’s Fixtures

Round 15 – 9/08/2014

Home Team			v	Away Team		Location	Time
	Port Adelaide		v	Brighton		Riverside Oval / 1	3:20pm
	Old Collegians		v	Woodville		Tregenza Oval /	3:20pm
	Burnside		v	Southern Suburbs		Parkinson Oval / 1	3:20pm
	Onkaparinga		v	Barossa		Wilfred Taylor Reserve / 1	Forfeit – Barossa withdrawn from Comp