Hail and properly met all you Cobbers and different pals I haven’t met but, welcome to the Chewsday Chew. With Tremendous Rugby successfully over for we Aussies final Saturday, I’ll make a couple of feedback concerning the Brumbies semi-final loss in ‘Was that Tremendous?’, then focus on some ‘Massive Greenback Information’ that arose this week, take a look throughout nation footy in ‘Across the campfires’ and end with some information of my very own. So with out additional ado…
Was that Tremendous?
However Brissy’s artfully crafted providing yesterday (HERE), with the ACT Brumbies shedding to the Auckland Blues by 34-20 on Friday evening, the curtain fell on Aussie involvement in 2024 Tremendous Rugby. The Tremendous remaining this weekend between the Blues and the Chiefs will probably be a cracker of a match, though the Chiefs are on the hunt for a hooker and the Blues are with out their talismanic captain and premier lock Patrick Tuipulotu. However for we Aussie pundits that’ll be chilly consolation.
Coming into this semi-final, I genuinely believed the Donkeys had an opportunity. However these probabilities took a big blow with the lack of Jimmy ‘Previous Man’ Slipper within the warm-up, when his troublesome calf didn’t move the take a look at. His loss launched Rhys van Nek into the beginning lineup and whereas Rhys is an effective lad, the lack of Jimmy Slips’ capability at No1, his massive match expertise, and the absence of his basic management general, was keenly felt. That solely served to exacerbate the Donkeys ongoing points round bread and butter setpiece fundamentals, which for thus lengthy has been their core energy. And all rolled up, that meant the match was over by halftime.
To be honest to the Blues, they began on hearth with energy working and slick dealing with off the again of a shock and awe forwards show that delivered a veritable clinic in ‘piggies at play’ fundamentals. However greater than that, the Brums have been their very own worst enemies. To be particular, the Donkeys murdered three first-half kick-off receptions, gifting two tries to the Blues. And this was compounded by at the least three, arguably 4, first half lineouts within the Blues quarter that have been all fluffed. In earlier years, these alternatives have been nearly bankable Brumby tries. And it wasn’t simply their piggies letting the Brums down, because the backs weren’t masking themselves in glory with over reads and poor situational consciousness driving nails into their coffin as properly. Maybe the best instance of that got here some 10min into the 2nd half when a 5 on 3 overlap alternative was one way or the other butchered and one other ought to’ve pie went begging.
And so whereas James Doleman should certainly be castigated for what was a mesmerising show of bewildering refereeing (in each instructions to be clear), the Donkeys opened the gate for a rampaging Auckland Blues outfit to smash via, run riot and, deservedly, take the bikkies. So congratulations Auckland and over to you Saint Joe and the Wobbs.
Rugby Future Fund
Based on stories in The Australian newspaper (HERE) and elsewhere, together with yesterday’s chat part, there’s been a small group of a dozen or so finance business aficionados from company Australia beavering away to cobble collectively approx $100million in capital to ascertain a rugby tremendous fund. Apparently the fund is to be modelled considerably equally because the ASX-listed ‘Future Era Fund’ that donates to charities and psychological well being teams, and is to be focused at constructing the ladies’s recreation and in broadening grassroots participation. That mentioned, apparently the pitch additionally goes on to speak about excessive efficiency issues, so I’m undecided how that aligns with grassroots.
Nonetheless, with names related to the mission akin to David Paradice , Geoff Wilson and Phil King, I’ve little question {that a} substantial amount of cash might be on the desk. As ever, the satan will probably be within the element and I can’t assist however marvel what kind of affect will probably be demanded, and by whom, as the worth (both formally or unofficially) of such largesse. Then once more, beggars can’t be choosers. And if we will one way or the other conjure a plate of benefactors RA will really speak to (versus telling them to ‘get bent’ a la Twiggy-style), then maybe we could have a solution, or at the least a part of a solution, onhand to a prayer or three that we’ve all made at occasions. Time will inform.
Maybe these of our readership who know extra of such issues could give their opinions within the feedback under?
Across the Campfires…
As ever, there have been loads of comings, going and doings about nation footy during the last weekend, and so let’s have a wee look concerning the panorama:
Out within the Western Plains zone, Warren Pumas powered dwelling within the final 10min to defeat the Bogan Bulls 28-23 within the Bomber Moxham and Barry Seashore Cup, whereas the Bourke & Brewarrina BaaBaas had it over the Cobar Camels by 41-17. However within the match of the spherical, Gulargambone Galahs defeated Coonamble Rams to place the proper stamp on the Gular Women Day.
In what was an absolute showdown celebration of all issues good about nation rugby, the Flamin’ Galahs received the ladies’s 24-17 and the lads’s likewise went to Gular by 20-19, on the day the place Gular have fun ‘Sara’s Women Day’, a special day in reminiscence of a really outstanding membership supporter.
For Gular, the ladies’s factors went as 3pts to Makaila Gordon, 2pts to Sharna Steedman and 1pt to Heidi Ferguson whereas Gamers’ Participant went to Paige Wilson. For the lads, 3pts went to Mitch Graham, 2pts to Jack Bradley and 1pt to Issac Grimshaw.
Down in Southern Inland, the weekend previous noticed the Wagga Waratahs knock over the Tumut Bulls by 42-20 at Conolly Park, the CSU Reddies make the trek south to defeat Albury Steamers 38-17, and the Leeton Phantoms stand up over subsequent door rivals Griffith Blacks by 39-34. And in what was the match of the spherical, Wagga Metropolis continued their unbeaten run by knocking over cross-town rivals Wagga Ag Faculty 43-36 in a tightly-contested affair on the Uni grounds.
These outcomes see the blue and white hoops of Wagga Metropolis proceed to dominate all and lead the desk on 9 wins from 9 begins and so 44pts. Remarkably the Boiled Lollies have solely left a single bonus level untaken within the season so far. Ag Faculty are 2nd with 6 from 9 for 34pts whereas third spot are the Tahs on 6 from 8 and 34pts (and have a recreation in hand).
The SIRU competitors this 12 months is an actual story of the haves and have nots, particularly with the best way and method Wagga Metropolis specifically have established such dominance within the zone. And so, whereas I’m a giant believer in not kicking a canine as a result of he received a struggle, some actual questions are actually at hand about competitors sustainability given the character of the present Wagga Metropolis supremacy. One hopes the wheel turns earlier than too lengthy, and a degree enjoying subject re-emerges earlier than irredeemable injury is finished to one of the vital enduring nation competitions within the land.
Again up a bit within the Central West zone, Cootamundra Tricolours scored a implausible 36-19 win over subsequent city rivals Younger Yabbies. Native stories are that, within the newest iteration of the Ben Smith Memorial Trophy, the Coota lads flew out the gates to ascertain an early lead which a valiant and fast-finishing Yabby mob couldn’t rein in earlier than the pea blew one final time. Coota’s factors went 3pts to Matt Berkrey, 2pts to Paddy ‘Mr Common’ Cameron at outdoors centre and 1pt to Captain Jack. Gamers’ Participant was fullback Epi, with some brilliantly touches from the deep, amply demonstrating his class to an appreciative viewers.
In different Central West outcomes, Grenfell Panthers did the enterprise in opposition to the Blayney Rams by 32-20, whereas the Temora Tuskers beat a troublesome West Wyalong Weevils outfit by 38-19.
However it was the Harden Pink Devils who pulled the upset of the spherical, with their girls’s workforce firstly defeating the Boorowa Goldilocks by 59-0 after which the lads beating the table-leading Boorowa Goldies 31-25 within the newest rendition of their rivalry, the Annie McGuigan Protect. The lads’s match began with the Boorowa lads establishing early dominance and seeking to have the match properly in hand. Nonetheless, in what has been described as an inspiring resurgence, the Harden lads settled, regathered, after which overcame the early 10pt deficit, to bolt out to a 31-13 lead earlier than the Boorowa Beast re-awakened within the second stanza and got here thundering again. However the Goldies couldn’t retake their lead within the time remaining and so the Pink Devils grabbed the glory of the day.
From these outcomes, Boorowa nonetheless lead one and all on the desk with 8 wins from 9 begins for 39pts, however Harden have narrowed the hole now at 7 from 9 for 34pts, in addition to firing a warning shot over the desk toppers’ kneecaps, one may say. In the meantime, regardless of the Coota v Younger rating, Younger Yabbies nonetheless cling to third spot with 6 from 9 for 31, simply forward of the Tricolours at 6 from 9 for 30pts. As ever, bonus factors are proving to be the make or break issue because the season matures.
Within the South-Coast and Monaro comp, Yass Rams knocked over Bungendore Mudchooks 32-29, Taralga Tigers sworded ADFA 24-3, Crookwell Canines defeated Cooma 27-17 and Braidwood Redbacks had an Previous Boys match supported by all method of different shenanigans earlier than someplace in there flattened Batemans Bay Boars 81-0. A lot to the credit score of the Braidwood crew, they did contribute round 4 or 5 gamers to the Boars trigger, together with one dubious-looking, aged entrance rower of unhealthy mood, in poor health reputation and even much less capability, who then went on to make a proper ache within the arse of himself to the Redbacks in rucks, mauls and scrums all day (so I’m reliably knowledgeable). However even such benevolence as that gave couldn’t stem the regular stream of crimson and black Redback tries that rained down at a gradual cadence as soon as the pea was blown.
However match of the spherical was definitely the 28-all draw between Corridor Bushrangers and Jindabyne Bushpigs. The day began at Corridor Showgrounds with the Corridor girls setting the tone through a 24-19 win, and in doing so set the stage was set for an epic encounter within the males’s, contemplating the Jindy males are actually undefeated into their third season. And whereas the Jindy lads introduced a full bench and extra – befitting their table-topping standing – in comparison with the Corridor’s half bench at finest, the Corridor lads met them head-on from the bounce as either side set to in a torrid affair that noticed the ultimate scores locked at 4 sauced pies and a smattering of cheese served each methods.
Greatest for Corridor have been halfback Hayden Cummings, with two pies, and captain James Murphy, who landed all pictures. For Jindy, winger Ethan Cawthorn snaffled a pair of pies and captain Dylan Johnson additionally landed all pictures.
All that mentioned, after solely simply scraping dwelling in opposition to a depleted Braidwood lately, and now to be held to a draw by Corridor, the Jindy Bushpigs are nonetheless technically undefeated and properly clear at prime of the desk. However their dominance over the South Coast & Monaro competitors has definitely been given a shake and the sharks are seemingly starting to circle the clearly wounded and discombobulated Pigs. Who will step as much as (re)declare the mantle?
In closing this week, I give discover to you good folks that this will probably be my final Chewsday Chew for some time. I’ve taken on a brand new job (one that truly pays me) and that wants my unfettered consideration for a spell. So I’m giving my weekly dribble and rant on this web site a relaxation. However don’t be unhappy! Firstly, I reckon I’ll be again sooner or later. After 15-16yrs of hanging about this web site in its numerous types I’ll nonetheless be across the feedback/chat usually and with two World Cups and a BIL tour on the horizon, there will probably be a lot to gab on about. And secondly, renewal is the elixir of life, others will step into the breach with their very own perspective, humour and basic tackle all issues rugby till in the future somebody could say “keep in mind when Nutta…” and the reply will probably be “who’s Nutta?” Such is the character of issues.
I’ll take this second to thanks all in your suggestions, feedback, corrections, rants, accusations and occasional belligerence concerning my choices over my time writing right here. I’ve genuinely appreciated it, even when I discovered it confronting; if nothing else it compelled me to be a greater author. And to Hoss, Brissy and the opposite good fellows of the Craparazzi, I likewise supply my thanks for his or her perseverance, persistence and tolerance.
In parting, for what it’s price, I’ll observe that my favorite contribution to this web site stays HERE as for me at the least, the soul of our recreation nonetheless resides in nation footy.
So with that folk, keep in mind to play onerous, run straight and deal with courageous. Keep in mind that every time we pull on a jersey, we put one other sew within the cloth of that jersey, and that then will get handed on to whomever comes subsequent. So make your sew worthwhile.
And above all, all the time do not forget that Saturday is rugby day (someplace).
Nutta out.