The rugby season continues to expand this weekend, as competitions return from the Easter bye, while others kick off opening rounds.
The Shute Shield, Fortescue Premier Grade and the Hospital Challenge Cup take centre stage once again, and this week fans will also be excited by the news that they’ll be joined by the opening rounds of the John I Cup and the Coopers Premier Grade!
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NEW SOUTH WALES: CHARTER HALL SHUTE SHIELD - ROUND THREE
The Shute Shield has delivered surprise after surprise following a hotly contested round two, with all games ending up as thrilling contests. Several heavy hitters like Sydney Uni, Eastwood and Gordon registered their first wins of the season, while even teams like the Two Blues and West Harbour proved much more difficult opponents against more fancied opposition. The biggest surprise however has been the continued form of the Hunter Wildfires, who have knocked off Manly and Randwick in back-to-back weeks to find themselves in second on the ladder, with Norths and Easts also remaining undefeated.
This weekend however they head on campus to face the Students, Eastwood welcome the Two Blues (including the recently retired Nemani Nadolo being named on the wing), Manly take on Easts down on the peninsula and West Harbour welcome Souths as part of a big weekend of rugby at Concord Oval.
MATCH OF THE ROUND - Gordon v Warringah
One of the most entertaining fixtures in recent years, Chatswood Oval will be the setting of the latest game between these two sides. Despite being 0-2, the Rats have proven a hard side to put away on both occasions, and will be hungry to make amends. Gordon had to overcome a strong Two Blues outfit, and will likely be favourites for this match, especially with it being their first home game of the season.
Other Fixtures (Live on Stan Sport)
West Harbour v Souths
Randwick v Norths
Manly v Eastern Suburbs
Sydney Uni v Hunter Wildfires
Eastwood v Two Blues
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Rising Player
Keep a watch out for Norths five-eight Jude Gibbs this weekend, following a promising start of the season against Souths. With pace to burn and great strategic approach expect him to be poking plenty of holes in the Randwick defence!
QUEENSLAND: STORELOCAL HOSPITAL CUP - ROUND THREE
Round Two of the Hospital Cup continued in much the same vein as the opening round, with four action-packed games and thrilling finishes. Brothers oversaw a resilient Sunnybank to eventually storm to a big win, Bond Uni claimed the top of the ladder with a high-scoring thriller against Easts, and Wests got back to winning ways with another demolition of Norths, however the Eagles opening try will be remembered for a long time by those watching.
The big surprise of the round however came in the Magpies shocking UQ in a critical fixture for the home team, seemingly confirming that the men in black and white look to have put aside the last few years of inconsistent form, and look like real contenders this year.
This week, Norths host Easts, GPS come off the bye to welcome Souths, and Wests host UQ in a rematch of last year’s Grand Final.
MATCH OF THE ROUND - Brothers v Bond University
So, with the GF rematch, why is this the match of the round? Well frankly, both sides are looking fantastic. The Bullsharks impressed in their first match at home, overcoming a strong Easts and showing great game management in the closing stages. Brothers worked in similar fashion against a big swinging Sunnybank, eventually powering away to a strong win. So with both still to lose, this clash down at Crosby Park should be a really great game, with talent all over the park on both sides.
Other Fixtures (Live on Stan Sport)
Sunnybank - BYE
GPS v Souths
Norths v Easts
Wests v UQ
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Rising Player
Shoutout to Bullsharks fullback Rhian Stowers who had a blinder on the weekend covering a strong Easts backline. Add to the fact his tactical kicking has looked great, he also picked up a double within the last two minutes to give the game back to Uni. He’ll enjoy the challenge this week against Brothers, whose backline also impressed in round two.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA: FORTESCUE PREMIER GRADE - ROUND FOUR
The season is well and truly underway in WA, with blowouts and thrillers galore in round three. Southern Lions shocked Bayswater, Palmyra flogged Wanneroo, and UWA and Nedlands also continued on their strong form with wins. The match of the round however was a thrilling Battle of Broome Street, which saw Associates sneak home by one point against Cottesloe.
There are so many great clashes this weekend, it is honestly hard to pick which one will be the standout. The Southern Lions will travel to face a strong Nedlands team, Wanneroo and Kalamunda will smash it out to get back to winning ways, as will Wests when they host Associates. Lastly, Joondalup Brothers will welcome the Gulls to HBF Arena.
MATCH OF THE ROUND - Palmyra v UWA (Live on Stan Sport)
It’s really hard to go past this clash off the back of both sides' recent form, and Tompkins Park will be the place to be. Palmyra are still to drop a game, with a draw and a huge win to kickstart their season. However, they’re up against a Students side that longs hungry to atone for last year’s GF loss, with them sitting not only at the top of ladder, but having done so by pulling three wins over three talent sides in Wests, Wanneroo and Joondalup. It’s gonna be a cracker.
Other Fixtures
Perth Bayswater - BYE
Wests Scarborough v Associates (YouTube Live Stream)
Wanneroo v Kalamunda
Nedlands v Southern Lions
Joondalup v Cottesloe
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Rising Player
The entire Associates pack had a great game in the Battle of Broome Street, but shoutout to Scott Tolmie who not only put in the hard yards in the front row, was also rewarded with a try for his efforts. Expect him to be fired up against the premiers this weekend!
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY: JOHN I DENT CUP - ROUND ONE
This weekend sees the return of one of the most competitive club rugby competitions in Australia, with the mighty John I Dent Cup returning for its 85th season! Queanbeyan Whites will be the title defenders following them ending a 12 season stranglehold the Royals and Vikings had over the Cup, and many are expecting the season to continue in a similar vein following the success the Brumbies have had at Super Rugby levels.
All teams will be looking to build on a successful 2022 season, but a team to especially watch will be the Penrith Emus. Back for their second season, the club will be looking to translate the huge growth in their Colts and Women’s sides into grade, and finally pick that elusive first win. They’ll be going in with plenty of confidence, with their Men's team winning the Capital 7s comp in February.
This weekend they’ll have a tough task facing the Royals in the Capital, while Gungahlin take on Uni-Norths and Queanbeyan enjoy the bye.
MATCH OF THE ROUND - Wests Lions v Tuggeranong
Wests proved to have their moments last year but ultimately were left rueing missed opportunities, but a strong off-season and the success of their Women’s team at the Capital 7s suggests this might be the year they turn things round. They’ll welcome a strong Tuggeranong side to Jamison Oval this weekend and sniff a great opportunity, but the Vikings will be similarly hungry to start their season in form too.
Other Fixtures
Queanbeyan Whites - BYE
Canberra Royals v Penrith Emus
Gungahlin Eagles v Uni-North Owls
Rising Player
Where better to start than the try scoring machine that is Penrith’s Benjamin Qoro. Named on the bench for the Royals clash, this player proved during the 7s that he has pace to burn and looks primed for more success this season, finishing the comp as the highest try-scorer across both the Men’s and Women’s comp.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA: COOPERS PREMIER GRADE - ROUND ONE
Finally, Adelaide will see premier grade rugby return with the Coopers Premier Grade kicking off this weekend. Brighton will look to continue their recent dominance of the competition this year, however last year showed that the gap is closing on the top of the ladder. Expect plenty of big results in 2023!
This weekend Old Collegians welcome Brighton in their match of the round, Port Adelaide hosts Elizabeth, the Onkas travel to Parkinson Oval to play Burnside, Souths welcome Adelaide Uni, and Woodville head into the Barossa to play the Rams.
Fixtures
Port Adelaide v Elizabeth
Old Collegians v Brighton (Live on Facebook - Rugby Union South Australia)
Burnside v Onkaparinga
Southern Suburbs v Adelaide University
Barossa v Woodville
Enjoy your club rugby this long weekend, wherever you are!
