The Rogues Rant

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It’s hard to argue with the squad Wallaby Coach Ewan McKenzie has come up with for the first Test against the Frenchman on Saturday night in Brisbane. He really has gone for form players from this year’s Super Rugby Tournament. The pack is made up of players who got the job done up north last year with the exception of Brumbies Lock, Sam Carter who makes his debut. The backline takes on a different look though with Nick White and Bernard Foley deserving their opportunity in the halves. Likewise Brumbies center pairing Matt Toomua and Tevita Kuridrani get first crack at the French following a strong Super Rugby season. You are never quite sure what to expect from the unpredictable French but if the Aussies can get close to the form they showed last start against the Welsh, the Wallabies should start 2014 with a win.

Super Rugby goes into recess now while the internationals take center stage. With some of the results not going the way they were expected to last week the run to the semis is still wide open. The Sharks loss to the phone number library Stormers could be very costly as they have a Bye to come in round 17. The Waratahs and the Crusaders are within striking distance of the Sharks and have a game in hand. Depending on how results go it’s possible that the Sharks could miss the top two positions in the six after leading the comp all year. With ten points separating the top 8 teams the top six is wide open and the final rounds will be very interesting in deed.

The outstanding form of Avondale so far in this year’s Builders Club Premiership race is attracting plenty of attention. With an eight point lead at the top of the ladder after six matches and a plus 256 point differential, things are rolling along very well for the Wombats. The job for Coach James Patrick is to make sure that his team can maintain this sort of form right through to September. Plenty of judges though think that Uni Bulls can keep them honest through to the end. Don’t write Camden off just yet either despite last week’s heavy loss to the Wombats. We’ll just have to wait and see how things develop.

A special open day will be held at Nicholson Park, Woonona on Sunday June 15 for any young ladies interested in playing Rugby 7’s for a newly formed Illawarra Ladies Team. Organized by Ron Davis and Tammy Fletcher the open day is open to girls in under 14 and under 16 age groups and also at open level for girls and ladies 17 years and older. Teams will compete in upcoming tournaments with teams from various areas around NSW beginning in mid-July. Don't forget Rugby 7's are part of the next Olympics in Rio so this could be the start a very good opportunity for some local talent So if you’re interested get along to Nicho Park and join in from 2.00PM.

Good luck from the Rogue to all our Junior Illawarrior sides for this weekend’s NSW State Championships at various venues around NSW.