Club Corner is back for another week, and the run home to finals is now firmly on the agenda for clubland.
Most competitions see congested ladders and with several heavyweights failing to fire and take advantage of their Super Rugby cavalry, things are getting even tighter now.
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NEW SOUTH WALES: CHARTER HALL SHUTE SHIELD - ROUND FOURTEEN
Northern Suburbs hold a slender lead at the top of the ladder following a thrilling win over the Students in Round Thirteen, a round that saw close games aplenty and even a draw between Manly and Randwick. The big mover is Western Sydney, who have now climbed into finals contention over Gordon.
This weekend, West Harbour welcome the Woodies, Souths host Hunter, and Norths continue their home games against tough opposition when they welcome Randwick.
MATCH OF THE ROUND - Sydney Uni v Two Blues
In the context of the season, this is a critical game for both sides. The Two Blues have had the rub of the green over most of these last fixtures, but beating a Uni side on campus that is desperate to defend their Shute Shield title is a tough assignment. Having won three of their last four matches though, form is with the men from the West. Uni will be tough to beat, but a loss here could prove fatal in their finals chase. They’ll be up for this match.
Other Fixtures (Live on Stan Sport)
West Harbour v Eastwood
Souths v Hunter Wildfires
Eastern Suburbs v Manly
Norths v Randwick
Warringah v Gordon
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Rising Player
Tim Clements is going to have as busy few weeks. Back from the Aussie 7s, Clements form at Fullback over the last few seasons has been insanely impressive, and he will likely be tough to wrangle in for the Two Blues.
QUEENSLAND: STORELOCAL HOSPITAL CUP - ROUND FOURTEEN
Last year’s finalists UQ are also in now or never territory, currently sitting nine points off the pace of finals in the Hospital Cup. Their loss at home to Easts was a critical blow, especially as all of the other ladder leaders in Bond Uni, Wests and Brothers all managed strong wins. With Souths also now back off the bye and hunting in fifth, things are going to get even closer on the ladder.
This weekend the Red Heavies host Brothers, Easts welcome GPS, and Norths welcome Sunnybank for a critical cellar dweller clash that could kickstart a potential last gasp run home.
MATCH OF THE ROUND - Wests v Souths
Bond Uni have the bye at a critical time, and Wests could leap frog them back into first if they show up at home this weekend. However in their way are the ever improving Souths, who sit just outside finals and need a win here to push their case.
Other Fixtures (Live on Stan Sport)
Bond University - BYE
UQ v Brothers
Easts v GPS
Norths v Sunnybank
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Rising Player
Hooker Max Craig has been busy playing in the Aussie U20s, however his form at set piece has played a big reason as to why Easts are the current big challengers. With ten tries to his name, expect him to continue his set piece form, and for the local Super Rugby club to come knocking soon.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA: FORTESCUE PREMIER GRADE - ROUND SIXTEEN
The apple cart has been well and truly upset in Perth, with Palmyra beating UWA at the Library to find themselves one point behind the Students, with a game in hand. It caps off a weekend of strong results, as Kalamunda prevailed over Wanneroo, Associates stunted Wests finals push, and Cottesloe getting back to form. With only three points separating third from sixth, expect the finals equation to change many, many times!
This weekend Wanneroo host the Lions, Nedlands face UWA, and Perth Bayswater take on an in-form Associates.
MATCH OF THE ROUND - Wests Scarborough v Cottesloe
Wests were in a bad spot at the previous fixture earlier this year, and the resulting win saw the start of a rollocking return to the finals picture, where they currently sit now. The Gulls will be hungry for revenge, especially on Wests home turf. It’s going to be a classic on Saturday afternoon!
Other Fixtures
Kalamunda - BYE
Perth Bayswater v Associates (Live on Stan Sport)
Wanneroo v Southern Lions
Nedlands v UWA
Joondalup v Palmyra
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Rising Player
Palms outside centre Marcus Arrindell has had a stellar season so far, regularly featuring in the team of the week and having had a promising start to his careers a few years ago in colts. With the Force in need of a protege for Sam Spink, exhibit A is right here in their own backyard.
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY: BENTSPOKE JOHN I DENT CUP - ROUND THIRTEEN
It’s tough times for the defending champions Queanbeyan, who were blown off the park last round by a roaring Gungahlin. It capped off a great weekend of rugby in the Capital, with the Royals beating the Lions in a thriller and the Owls overcoming a determined Penrith side.
This weekend the comp will celebrate NAIDOC; ladder leaders Tuggeranong return to face the Owls, while Penrith welcome a high flying Eagles side to Nepean Rugby Park.
MATCH OF THE ROUND - Wests Lions v Queanbeyan Whites
It's critical times now for the Whites. The drop in form is especially concerning, and given how nearly everyone is still in with a finals shot, they need to turn things around, now. Wests Lions are a strong team but should Queanbeyan rediscover their form, this match becomes much more interesting in the context of the wider season.
Other Fixtures
Canberra Royals - BYE
Penrith Emus v Gungahlin Eagles
Tuggeranong Vikings v Uni-Norths Owls
Rising Player
Flyhalf Josiah Leali’ifano has had a blinder this year for the Vikings, and his success is a big reason why the Vikings are where they are. Nephew of Wallaby legend Christian Leali'ifano, if he keeps up this form it'll only be a matter of time until he follows in his footsteps.
VICTORIA: VALO DEWAR SHIELD - ROUND TEN
Can anyone stop the Quins? With a seven point lead and currently still to be beaten this season, it’s looking like a tougher question for the other teams to answer. Their demolition of Power House capped off a great weekend in Victoria, with Endeavour Hills cementing second place over Uni, the Unicorns getting back to winning ways and Footscray maintaining fourth position after overcoming a determined Box Hill.
This weekend NAIDOC is being celebrated, with the Rams face the Hills, Footscray take on Power House, and Harlequins face the bottom of the ladder in Box Hill.
MATCH OF THE ROUND - Melbourne University v Melbourne Unicorns
Uni made history earlier this year when they knocked off the Unicorns at home for the first time in a decade, and they will be hungry for a clean sweep against one of their biggest rivals. The Unicorns sit only five points outside of finals, and with them rediscovering their form they cannot afford to drop the pace now, especially with only four rounds of regular season remaining after this one.
Other Fixtures
Moorabbin v Endeavour Hills
Footscray v Power House
Harlequins v Box Hill
Rising Player
Leafi Heka Talataina was a beast for the Junior Wallabies in their match against England, bringing his form from Endeavour Hills to international level. Here’s hoping this is the start of many more Victorian locals going on to higher honours.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA: COOPERS PREMIER GRADE - ROUND TWELVE
Brighton hold a slender lead at the top of the Coopers Premier Grade off the back of winning a thriller over Burnside at Parkinson Oval. The weekend saw Southern Suburbs also stay in the hunt with a win over Onkas, and Old Collegians blow away Elizabeth.
This weekend, Port Adelaide welcome Souths, Adelaide Uni host Burnside, Woodville welcome the Onkas and Elizabeth host Brighton.
Fixtures
Old Collegians - BYE
Elizabeth v Brighton
Port Adelaide v Souths
Adelaide Uni v Burnside
Woodville v Onkaparinga (Live on Rugby Union South Australia - Facebook)
TASMANIA: TASMANIAN PREMIER GRADE - ROUND NINE
The Apple Isle has a new ladder leader, with Launceston toppling the Penguins in a thriller at Rugby Park. Round Eight also saw big wins, with Hobart Lions, Burnie Emus and Devonport running up the scoreboard against their respective opposition.
This weekend, Harlequins play University of Tasmania, Taroona host the Stags, Devonport come up against new ladder leaders Launceston, and the Lions welcome the Burnie Emus.
Fixtures
Harlequins v Tasmania University
Taroona v Glenorchy
Devonport v Launceston
Hobart Hutchins Lions v Burnie Emus
Enjoy your club rugby this weekend, wherever you are!
