Randwick looking to break Uni’s 40 home-game winning record

Randwick tomorrow is looking to break the 40 game winning streak of Premier Club Rugby competition leaders Sydney University on their home ground.

The Students have not been beaten at University Oval since 2005.

Apart from the battle for top of the table positions (Uni is on 65, Manly on 64 and Randwick on 61) also at stake is the Sir Rod Cutler Challenge Shield, held by Uni since their last loss at home to Warringah.

The Top of the table clash between the two sides could be decided by the pace and strike power of both sides backlines.

Randwick coach Gary Ella believes it will be a very tight game and that both packs of forwards are evenly match, but is confident Randwick can cause an upset.

“We’ve had some good results in recent weeks. We’ve got a lot of pace in our backline. But I think it will come down to a battle of the backrow forwards and halves,” Gary Ella said.

Uni coach Damien Hill acknowledges that Randwick has strike power right across the paddock, from Waratah prop Sekope Kepu to towering winger Ratu Nasiganiyavi.

“They’re a difficult side to play against as they can be so unpredictable,” he said.

“But we have been building confidence and this is a game that is going to come right down to the finals minutes.”

Also said one of the individual on-field battles of interest will be the tussle between Kepe and up and coming former Joey’s schoolboy star Patrick Ryan in the front row.

What former Australian Schoolboys and Colts player Ryan lacks in experience he makes up for in size and strength, standing 188cms (6’2”) in the weighing 118kilos.

SYDNEY UNIVERSITY V RANDWICK at University Oval No.1 (ABC TV Game, 3:10pm)

Sydney University: 1. Scott Cameron, 2. Ben Roberts, 3. Patrick Ryan; 4. Ben McCalman, 5. Dave Dennis; 6. David Haigh, 7. Pat McCutcheon, 8. Tim Davidson [c]; 9. Scott Stumbles, 10. Daniel Halangahu; 11. Nick Edwards, 12. Richie Finau, 13. Tom Carter, 14. Jacob Taylor; 15. Nathan Trist.

Randwick: 1. Sekope Kepu, 2. Atonio Halangahu [c], 3. Daniel Spencer; 4. Steven Brennan, 5. Tim Maxwell; 6. Dave Parsons; 7. Dave Vizer, 8. Ben Mowen; 9. Tony Luxford, 10. Tim Walsh; 11. Ratu Nasiganiyavi, 12. Bernie Orbell, 13. Tim Wright, 14. Dave Dillon; 15. Marshall Milroy.

 

Premier Rugby crowds up as fans flock to see Wallaby and Super 14 stars

 

Sydney’s Premier Rugby Clubs are seeing crowd increases of between 20 and 30 per cent when Wallabies and Super 14 stars appear in matches.

The decision by Wallaby coach Robbie Deans, supported by the Super 14 coaches, is being widely applauded by the Sydney clubs.

“The intensity and skills levels have lifted significantly. The regular club players love the challenge and the opportunity of playing with and against Wallabies and Super 14 players,” Ray Dearlove, Rugby General Manager at Sydney University said.

“When ever Phil Waugh or Dean Mumm or Luke Burgess play there is a definite increase in crowds and interest. And the Super 14 players and Wallabies love it coming back to Premier Rugby. This year Luke played his first Premier first grade game for the club, though he’d played Colts earlier in his career. And he was very excited about the prospect.”

At Southern Districts when Manly played, with Wallaby stars George Smith and Wycliff Palu, the club saw an increase of around 30 per cent on the crowd for the day.

“The kids love seeing the stars in Premier Rugby. And when word spread that George and Cliffy were playing we had quite a roll up,” General Manager Craig Hawkings said.

“We’re going to write to the ARU and congratulate them on the policy and hope that it continues.”

John Pinson, at Penrith Emus, said they’ve had 20 per cent increases in crowds when clubs with Wallabies and Super 14 players come out to St. Mary’s Leagues Stadium.

“The kids get out on the ground looking for autographs and having photographs taken with the stars. We’ve got mostly a young team. So they love the challenge of stepping up against the big names. They really lift for those games.”

Former Test referee Peter Marshall, now General Manager, of Warringah, said the return of a number of Western Force players to the Rats had caused a lot of interest.

“Once word got out that players like Josh Holmes, Pek Cowan, Haig Sare, Luke Holmes and Sam Harris were back for Premier Rugby we got a lot of increased interest, attendances were up around 20 to 30 per cent. And of course the intensity of the games increased.”

Marshall believes that if Robbie Deans, the Super 14 coaches and the ARU, continue with the policy of ensuring as many Super rugby players are back in the Sydney Premier Club Rugby sides, the greater intensity, skills levels and pace of the games, will continue to lift.

“It won’t happen immediately. It will be up to the coaches and the leadership groups in every first grade side to work hard to ensure club players continue to lift the levels of games once the Super 14 players start back in the 2010 competition.

“If they make that effort I believe it will rub off on all players and crowds will continue to grow.”

AFL’s John Elliott calls for more Rugby on television

Former Carlton AFL President, John Elliott, says Rugby including Sydney’s Premier Rugby competition should be given more exposure on television.

Elliott, a passionate and long time supporter of AFL football, is not about to become the next cross-code football identity and jump ship to the world’s second biggest code of football.

But at his second appearance in two years as a guest speaker at Southern Districts Sports Luncheon, he told a packed audience that more television exposure was vital if Sydney club rugby was to build crowd attendance.

He said television was vital to every sport today in a highly competitive market and it was essential for sports to reach a mass market.

He also noted that one of the limitations for the Wallabies was that while they played some very big matches during the year, they were spread apart, did not play enough of them and lacked a high profile “ladder” for fans to follow.

Mr. Elliott also felt more structure and promotion should be given to a international “home and away” concept that, if promoted well, could excite fans more.

He suggested the IRB should make much more of, and promote, the international ladder that shows exactly where the Wallabies and other nations are on the world scene.

Former NSW Schoolboys rep makes first grade debut for Penrith

Nineteen year old Alex Pinson, making his first grade debut at half-back for Penrith tomorrow, faces a David and Goliath task against former Brumbies now Waratah’s half Josh Holmes.

Pinson, a former NSW Schoolboys First player from Blaxland High, at 83kls. stands just 175cms. while Holmes, at 186cms, is more than 10kls heavier.

He’ll form a new halves combination for the Emus with Wes Guthrie, a utility back who’s played fly-half, centre and winger, moving in to the pivot spot following Matt Sonter breaking a rib.

“Alex is a quality player. He’s a bit nervous but that’s understandable. He’s a good player with a strong pass on either side and a solid defender,” Penrith coach Jarred Hodges said.

“He’ll certainly be tested by Josh Holmes but I’m very confident in him. Alex is a good communicator with this forwards so he should go well against Warringah. He’s a local who’s come up through our Colts and I think he has a very good future.”

Stinson replaces injured Waratah’s Academy half Jeremy Su’a who is one of 19 injured Penrith first and second grade players on the sidelines at the moment.

Matt Sonter had only joined the club in recent weeks following two seasons of Rugby in Japan with JAL (Japan Airlines) club.

Sydney’s 12 Premier Rugby clubs this Saturday tackle one of their biggest opponents ever when they set out to raise tens of thousands of dollars for research to find cures for cancer.

The clubs are supporting the Call to Arms campaign run by the Cancer Council of Australia.

Galloping Greens go yellow for a good cause

“Half the male population will get cancer before they turn 85. The research and outcomes from this funding could well save the life of someone in your family. This is a great opportunity for the Rugby community to put in a real effort, get along to the games, put your hands in your pockets and contribute,” Chris Birch, Chairman of the Board of Presidents of the Premier Rugby Clubs said today.

“More than 62,500 Australian men are expected to be diagnosed with cancer this year alone. And on the statistics from the Cancer Council it means seven or eight men from every Rugby team will end up with some form of cancer unless research can find a way of stopping it.

“Excluding non-melanoma skin cancers, the most common cancers facing men in Australia are prostate, bowel, melanoma and lung cancer. Prostate cancer is more common in men than breast cancer is in women.”

Home ground clubs on the day (Warringah, West Harbour , Eastern Suburbs, Randwick , Northern Suburbs and Southern Districts) will be running fund raising events, players will wear yellow arm bands signifying their support for the fund raising campaign.

For the first time in 50 years Randwick ’s first grade side won’t be wearing the famous myrtle green jumper in their clash with Gordon on July 25.

To raise awareness and money for the cause, they will be wearing a specially designed amber yellow and bottle green jersey.

The unique Amber Yellow and Bottle Green Jersey's will be auctioned off after the game.

“At this stage the line ups look very competitive, almost 12 Super14 and Wallabies on show and is likely to decide a place in the Tooheys New Semi Finals. All money raised will be going to this great cause,” second rower Tim Maxwell explained.

(Home Team v Away Team, Location Time): Southern Districts v Manly Forshaw Rugby Park 3:00pm.; Warringah v Eastwood Pittwater Rugby Park 3:00pm.; West Harbour v Penrith Concord Oval 3:00pm.; Eastern Suburbs v Parramatta Woollahra Oval 3:00pm.; Northern Suburbs v Sydney University North Sydney Oval 3:00pm. Randwick v Gordon Coogee Oval 3:00pm

Penrith and Parramatta Rugby Clubs team up for joint effort in the West.

Penrith and Parramatta Rugby clubs are planning to join forces and appoint a Western Sydney Rugby Development officer to work schools and the 27 clubs in the Greater West.

The clubs are considering approaching several major corporations with headquarters in the West to offer them sponsorship opportunities as a way of funding the officer.

“There is so much talent and potential out here. We have schools right across the Western area of Sydney as well as quite a number of clubs. We need to be in there, involved with them,” Ian Hewitt, President of Penrith’s Emus Rugby Club, explained.

“It would be a great opportunity for the right companies to lift their profile in the region with a lot of flow-on possibilities for the business including touching base with a wide range of potential employees, getting their company, brands and products recognised.”

Parramatta President, Alan Hyam, met with Ian Hewitt at the Penrith v Parramatta clash at St. Mary’s Leagues Club Stadium at the weekend where the Emus scored a thrilling last minute win with a converted try in the corner.

“I think both clubs have a responsibility to Rugby to get more involved in the sporting community here. Other codes are very active. But Rugby has a lot more to offer than league or AFL on the international stage,” he said.

“There could be youngsters growing up here now who could potentially be playing for the Wallabies in Britain, South Africa or France in a few years time. But we have to get involved with the schools and local junior Rugby clubs.

Both Presidents agreed they would continue discussions and explore the commercial potential of corporate sponsors for the Development Officer.

 

Gordon and Norths players join Brumbies French tour

 

Gordon captain Ed Gower and Norths barnstorming fullback and centre Andrew Smith have been included in the Brumbies 28 man squad for a four match tour of France .

Smith impressed against West Harbour several weeks ago when he stood up Lote Tuqiri, ran around him and sprinted 45 metres to score a try.

Gower, the tough Gordon lock, has been frustrated by injury, breaking his arm - which required surgery - the week before the Super 14 started earlier this year.

Gower had an eight week break from training after surgery, and got back to captaining Gordon in Round 10 of the Sydney Premier Rugby competition.

Gower and Smith will be jumping on a plane next Tuesday joining contracted members of the 2010 CA Brumbies squad have been selected including new recruit Josh Valentine. Valentine is one of four members of the squad with Test experience, along with Stephen Hoiles, Peter Kimlin and Guy Shepherdson.

Spare a thought for former Wallaby and Waratah Al Kanaar as the Wallabies run out on to Eden Park for the Bledisloe Cup clash with the All Blacks on Saturday afternoon.

Kanaar, the Sydney University 196cm. second rower who played 31 times for the Waratahs, won his sole Wallaby cap against the 2005 All Blacks before a series of ankle and knee injuries brought a potentially outstanding career to a premature end in 2007.

“I try not to dwell on it too much. But as I watch all the players I came through the Super 14 with and the Wallaby squad playing now I sometimes think that maybe by now I could have 30 Wallabies caps,” the 26 year old concedes.

“I miss it of course. But I always watch the Wallabies with great pride. And I believe they can win tomorrow.”

These days, he is helping to tackle something much bigger than an All Black forward.

Kanaar, now working for Visy as an Environment Sustainability Manager, in 2007 trained with former US Vice President Al Gore to present his Oscar winning “An Inconvenient Truth” to educate as many people as possible about the dangers of global warming.

He delivers between 40 and 50 presentations a year to community and interest groups and companies on environmental sustainability.

Al was one of the presenters that attended The Climate Project Asia-Pacific Summit in Melbourne over the weekend to receive further training from Al Gore to present his updated slideshow.

He will give eight presentations between now and Copenhagen in December, with the first one being to the Sydney University Football Club in the coming weeks.

“If there are any Sydney University players or supporters that would like a presentation given to their community group, business, or other organisation please contact me directly on 0458 271 950 or alex.kanaar@visy.com.au,” he said.

As he continues his work with Visy and his presentations, he is completing a Masters in Natural Resources Management.

And while his injuries continue to prevent him from even jogging, Kanaar has thrown himself back into Rugby by coaching the Sydney Universty First Grade colts team.

 

Penrith and Parramatta to battle for perpetual trophy

 

The rivalry between Penrith and Parramatta Rugby Clubs gets a new focus tomorrow with the revival of the Chancellors Cup which will be played for each time the two clubs meet.

The Chancellors Cup was created nine years ago by Parramatta supporter Geoff Baldwin when he was working with the University of Western Sydney.

“It was an idea to help promote Rugby in the western suburbs and I think both clubs won it a few times. But then it was forgotten about,” he explained this week.

“I’d approached John Phillips, the former member of the Reserve Bank board and Chancellor of the University of Western Sydney. He approved us calling it the Chancellor’s Cup and he presented the very first one.”

A new trophy has been purchased and engraved and will be up for grabs between Penrith and Parramatta tomorrow afternoon at St. Mary’s Leagues Club Ground.

“There’s a great competitive spirit between the two sides, and of course we’ve had players move between the two clubs over the years. So the clash tomorrow should be a cracker.” Geoff Baldwin added.

 

Revenge is sweet – particularly over a cup of coffee

 

There’s not much love lost between the Premier Rugby competition leading Manly Marlins and their neighbourly Warringah Rats.

The rivalry between the two clubs always fires up a day before the game, with the Marlins making the short trip up the beaches to Pittwater Rugby Park tomorrow.

Situated right in the middle of the Rats and Marlins Territory is the “Chill Bar” coffee shop on Dee Why Beach. This particular spot has many players, officials, and supporters from both camps coming in on a daily basis for their coffee fix.

What most don't realize is that one regular is Marlins exciting young fly-half Josh Gamgee who, away from rugby, runs a personal physical training business.

Among his clients are the shop’s owners and workers.

Brothers Joe and Vince Caccamo who with Nick and Luke Femia and Glynn Bruce are trained by Josh enduring the physical pain and suffering he hands out to them on a daily basis.

If Josh ever wondered whether they were fans, let alone Marlins supporters, it became clear this week.

“Enough is enough, now it’s time for Josh to be physically punished for what he does to us and the local derby is perfect,” Owner Nick Femia, clearly feeling a touch sore after one of Josh’s sessions, declared himself a passionate Rats supporter.

“I am behind the Rats 100% and I hope when Josh receives that extra hard tackle from Brett Sheehan, Beau Robinson or any of the Rats he knows it is coming from us as well”.

By Monday, either Josh could be looking for new clients or the Chill Bar will be a few customers short.

Former Australian Under 19 forward Nick Lah has rejoined Norths Rugby after a season in Scottish Premier 1 Rugby to play his 95th first grade game for the club against Southern Districts on Saturday.

The 187cms, 110kls. prop played 28 of the 32 games for Edinburgh Academicals in what he described as often very physical inheavy conditions, missing four because infections to an injury.

As a loosehead prop, Lah played his earlier years at Norths alongside Wallabies Ben Darwin,Al Baxter, Cam Shepherd and Adam Ashley Cooper.

Lah believes the contract opportunities in Britain and Europe could be drying up with limitations on the number of foreign professionals.

He’s says a return to British Rugby in September is now in the hands of his player-manager finding the right contract, though he is hopeful in 2011 there could be opportunities with the 5th Australian Super 15 side.

Brock McGarity returns to flyhalf for Warringah against Randwick

 

A shoulder injury while playing for St. George-Illawarra’s Toyota Cup side may turn out to be a blessing for Warringah fly-half Brock McGarity.

The former Australian Schoolboy representative got the chance to return to his first love, Rugby, and after one game in second grade moved into the top side against Norths last week.

McGarity, still only 19, made his first grade debut for Warringah last year.

He’ll lead the well-peforming Warringah backs around in their crucial Coogee Oval clash with a Randwick side just hitting its straps.

And with both sides boasting a host of Super 14 stars the game is expected to be a cracker.

Warringah coach John McKee said McGarity was making a fast re-adjustment back in to the Rugby ranks where the flyhalf role should suit him.

McKee said he’s keen to see McGarity get his hands on the ball often and direct Warringah’s attacking game.