Saturday Sep 21, 2024
Saturday Sep 21, 2024
Friday, 21 June 2013 02:35 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The Thomians are in the lower division this year given their dismal performance in 2012. However this year they have played some quality rugby and have beaten Trinity as well although it was not a league game. The Thomians have nothing to lose but will be rearing to go against the traditional rivals. One of their biggest strengths appears to be their ability to score plenty of points in the last quarter.
The Royalists come into the game after their win over the Lions last week even though they lost the Bradby shield. It will be interesting to see how the teams cope with playing under lights as it is never easy at the start and needs getting used to.
From a spectator perspective, it is great entertainment on a Saturday evening as the match will start at 6 p.m. providing the opportunity for larger numbers to attend the matches. There is bound to be live entertainment after the game at the club house and irrespective of the result of the game, the stage is set for revellers to party late into the night. I would anticipate that depending on the success of this game we will see more games being played under lights and this move augurs well for the sport.
Wesley who started off with a bang will be up against a Peterite side lacking in self belief and whose last few matches have gone pear shaped. The Petes have relied too much on individual performances and coupled with the inability to retain the ball at contact, their games have come unstuck. Both teams will be out to prove a point and all indications are that it is poised to be a fascinating battle.
Wesley will be hoping to ensure that the war cry of ‘Zam Zam Zake’ will be heard across the complex; whilst the Peterites will be hoping that the strains of ‘Golden gleam, silver sheen and blue that crowns the world’ will haunt the grounds well after the final whistle is blown.
The Referees Association has settled down and we hope that the standard of the referring is maintained at a high level which to my mind was a contributing factor that led to the unsavoury incidents in the past. The security will be beefed up for both games and anyone resorting to any form of abuse, will be dealt with. Whilst it is great to be passionate about the game and show a great sense of loyalty to one’s alma mater, abuse of the officials cannot be tolerated under any circumstance.
On the international front, the much-awaited test match between the British Lions and the Wallabies will kick off in Brisbane. There has a lot of talk about the game and the pundits are out with various predictions. It’s a three test match series and many believe that the Wallabies will win 2/1 after maybe conceding the first test as the Wallabies have not played as a unit for some time. All such predictions could turn to zero as I believe that the Wallabies are rearing to go, despite injury concerns to key play makers.
For the visitors donning the Lions jersey is adequate motivation to give it their best as these tours do not happen every year. The Lions were handed a reality check when they lost a tight game to the Brumbies midweek. Many believe that the game was lost at the breakdown point where the Southern Hemisphere teams have been more physical and with possibly better counter rucking skills.
The debate also rages on whether James O’Connor is the best choice for the #10 or Beale. Another loss is the absence of Scott Higginbottom and his terrific work rate will be definitely missed, with that of Smith and Pocock. The weekend promises to have something for all rugby enthusiasts and the moment must be savoured with glee.
(The writer can be reached via [email protected].)
