Welcome back to all you loyal Rant readers from the Rogue. Season 2014 is just about underway starting next week with the first round of ARU Junior Gold Cup coming to town. Illawarra will be hosting Sydney North Harbor at WIN Stadium next Sunday with two matches to enjoy from 2.00 PM. Super Rugby starts next week also with the South African teams getting things underway between themselves. The first full round of Super Rugby will start on the February 21, with the Aussie games being The Brumbies V The Reds in Canberra, and The Waratahs at home to The Force. Locally, we don’t get started until April 12. So bring it on guys.
I see with interest that Tim Olsen has taken on the role of Captain/Coach at Tech Waratahs. Tim has dabbled a bit in the coaching area before at the junior level, showing that he certainly has an aptitude for the role. I reckon though his little blonde haired mate Lee Martin won’t be far away from his right hand when the whips get cracking.
It’s been hard to get any sort of form line out of the phone number library Super 15 trial matches with all franchises having a real good look at their playing rosters. I guess we will have to wait and see where everyone settles as the coaches search for their best combinations. The Waratahs form has been promising and Coach Michael Cheika has his work cut out in coming up with what could be a very potent backline mix. There form toward the end of 2013 was promising so let’s hope they can get off to positive start against the Force on Sunday week.
The Illawarra Draw for the new Premier Division is out ready for the first local round of matches set down for April 12. Nine first grade teams and eight colts teams make up the draw for this new format. One of the colts teams is looking a bit shaky but It’s great to see an increase in the colts numbers as there is a real opportunity for clubs to build for the future through this competition.
I’ll be heading down to WIN next Sunday to check out the Junior Gold Cup games. With the opposition coming from Sydney North, I think the local boys can expect a very competitive afternoon. They reckon they are ready to go having worked hard during the summer months. So let’s all get behind the local lads for the first of what will be a busy six weeks ahead.