Club rugby wrap: Penrith v Randwick

 
The Crowd Roar Pro

By Roger, 21 Apr 2008 The Crowd is a Roar Pro

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I thought a good way of increasing coverage of club footy is for bloggers to provide some comments on a club game they saw on weekend. Here goes.

I watched Randwick thrash Penrith at Coogee on the weekend…at 62-19 it was something like 8-9 tries to 3 which wasn’t reflected on the scoreboard, and credit must go to both first and second grade Penrith teams for playing out the entire 80 mins in both games in good style despite getting flogged on the scoreboard.

The extremely large winger from Randwick Ratu Nasiganiyavi was amazing…someone mentioned he was only 19 but he is truly one of the largest men I have seen in a backline. I am not sure what NSWRU is going to do with him. He is like Brendan Wiliams but about twice as big. Whether he could do as well at super 14 level is unknown as he often runs around people (and over sometimes with great leg strength to pull out of tackles) like Lomu did, and may not be comfortable with contact with larger rougher players.

Randwick did their usual thing and played the most mistake free, perfect structured footy you would ever see, but must be given credit for running it every time they got a turnover (easy when you are 40 pts ahead I know). The great Henry Schaff played all of 2nds and some of firsts for Penrith and is a true legend of Sydney club rugby

What was a real worry for me was watching Sekope Kepu for Randwick. He was playing prop but pretty much ran around like he was a number 8. Don’t get me wrong, 3 tries in a match is great (if not a reason to be thrown out of the front rower’s club) but if a forwards coach was watching they would have been very disappointed. Kepu did so much watching and walking, and generally didn’t show any urgency (let alone a hint of tight play) until Randwick got the ball in Penrith’s 22 – where he would sprint up to line up as first reciever (very wide, not tight and close to ruck) and take a hit up (or crab across the field).

A number of people are saying he should he in the wallabies and I agreed with them, but after watching him play Penrith, I was dissappointed. If he wants to get back into Tahs and Wallabies, I want to see aggression in defence, massive clearouts, pick and drives up the middle of ruck and constant momentum (like A Halangahu and long haired fellow prop, both carrying some extra weight but showing urgency to defend and backup) rather than walking and watching play until a try was in the offing.

Other notables from game include Ben Mowen (No 8) for Randwick who is a massive athlete and very fit (but didn’t see much enterprise with ball other than smashing it up). Josh Valentine went off hurt in the first few minutes so I didn’t get a look at him.

The great Chris Houtston played his 100th game for Randwick…a great achievement. Penrith had an enterprising 5/8 and hooker, however it was the 2,4,8 (schaff), 10 and 12 for Penrith 2nd grade that really played well. Unfortunately rest of team couldn’t support them.

A good turnout at Randwick, and for the first time in years, entry was free rather than forking out $15.

Penrith first and second grades had plenty of talent and seemed fit but couldn’t compete with the wicks. It is crucial that Penrith be given support by ARU and NSWRU as the depth in suitable players in that area is staggering. Perhaps private ownership might prove the savour at club level.

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