It’s the last weekend in May and the late-starting Brisbane season is well under way (though offering a surprising result or two each week) and the Sydney and Canberra comps are about half-done. There’s a common pattern: each table shows a strong leading group, a set of middle-rankers who can’t quite get there, and a battling tail end. That’s the way of the world, of course, but for some clubs the rest of the season probably looks like a drawn-out, depressing prospect.
Enough gloom; let’s see what the weekend’s clashes hold in store.
Queensland Premier Rugby – Round 5
Brothers v. Gold Coast @ Crosby Park, 3:00pm Saturday
University v. Sunnybank @ St Lucia, 3:00pm Saturday
Sunshine Coast v. GPS @ Stockland Park, 3:00pm Saturday
Souths v. Easts @ Chipsy Wood Oval, 3:35pm Saturday
Wests v. Norths @ Sylvan Road, 3:00pm Saturday
The Breakers have shown brave initiative in naming a significantly different starting line-up for this week. Without a win from five matches (remember they played Sunshine Coast in a pre-season fixture that counts as their scheduled Round 9 clash) they may as well experiment with new combinations. The Brethren will be wanting to take five points from this match, to stay within reach of Easts on the table and keep clear of the winner of the University–Sunnybank game. That clash sees fourth host third, with the Students probably carrying confidence forward from their good win over Brothers and the Dragons determined to recover from their unexpected loss to GPS. They aren’t starting with as many Reds as they had last week and their systems may work a little better with the familiar crew. I see a close game, and I think the Students will carry the day.
The aforementioned Gallopers must be itching for this crack at the Stingrays, who look a little vulnerable after going down to Souths last week. I’m tipping GPS to carry on with their winning form and perhaps take fourth place on the ladder. Sunshine Coast, to my mind, aren’t contending in the same division. Speaking of the Magpies, they’re this week’s Happy Meal for the rampant Tigers. And in a bottom-rungs clash, last week’s victims the Eagles are visiting the Bulldogs, who got the win against Gold Coast last week but were not at all convincing in doing it. I’ll tip Norths, just because I think they might be a little more self-aware and resolute at this stage of the season.
Sydney Premier Rugby – Round 9
Easts v. Gordon @ Woollahra Oval, Sunday 3:00pm
Sydney University v. Randwick @ University Oval No. 1, 3:10pm Saturday
West Harbour v. Eastwood @ Concord Oval, 3:00pm Saturday
Penrith v. Parramatta @ Nepean Rugby Park, 3:00pm Saturday
Norths v. Warringah @ North Sydney Oval, 3:00pm Saturday
Southern Districts v. Manly @ Forshaw Rugby Park, 3:00pm Saturday
Looking at the last match first, we see a couple of battered teams who will want very much to scratch out a win by any means. I think the Beasts will pick themselves up a little better than the Highlanders, who have had their confidence shaken more than once this year. Their conquerors from last week, the Students, are at home to the Wicks; this clash sees the traditional rivals, both in good form, fighting for the ladder’s fourth rung. That’s a recipe for great rugby, and the game will be shown live on ABC1 for our delectation.
Another well-matched derby game will go down on the far side of the city when the Emus host the Two Blues. Parramatta have the form and the desire to notch a third win for the season — and if they do, they might jump Warringah and Wests on the ladder. The Rats are visiting Norths, who’ve disappointed a couple of times lately (i.e. they’ve messed up my tips) but should prevail after showing enough form to mix it up with Manly last week. Meanwhile the Pirates have the unenviable task of taking on the Woods; I see another big score coming because I think the men from north of the river have learnt the pleasure of romping all over a submissive victim.
The Marlins, who claimed second place from Easts last weekend, travel down to Rebels territory and I think they should be cautious as they go. Souths went down to Randwick in a high-scoring game last week and teams that score well in a loss are dangerous. But in this case, Manly should have enough organisation and composure to control the game.
Click for team lists (web page)
ACT & Southern NSW Premier Division – Round 8
Wests v. Uni-Norths @ Jamison Oval, 3:15pm Saturday
Easts v. Queanbeyan @ Griffith Oval, 3:15pm Saturday
Royals v. Tuggeranong @ Phillip Oval, 3:15pm Saturday
Last week’s round offered good match-ups; not so this one. The Owls take the short trip west to meet the Lions, who claimed top spot with a testing away win over Gungahlin last week. Although the Owls have had to make a few changes from the combination that was working so well before the bye, they’ll win this one in style. The winless Tricolours should be easy fodder for the Whites, who took the points from a tough encounter with Tuggeranong last week. The Vikings can regroup with a romp against Royals, but need to take their hosts seriously as some good form and commitment was shown in the win over Easts.
