“Goeie môre my vriende and welcome to another edition of the Furzday Fuzz wherein I’ll have a bit of a gander at the facts and teamsheets for this coming weekends Super Rugby Final, I’ll do the same for the English Premier Rugby final also being played this coming weekend, and then round out with the usual Dingo’s Breakfast (a bit of a sniff and a poke around) of rugby in the places not often reported in “Around the campfires…”
Again, I’ll remind folk we are all volunteer scribes here, so please feel free to pen an article if you feel so motivated and reach out via the links scattered across the pages. Or you can chat to me directly at [email protected] should you feel that way inclined. I only insist you put the lotion in the basket.
Round 9 Scores in the Victorian Rugby Bendigo Bank Conference Cup
Before you even attempt to understand my drivel below, I encourage you all to get yourselves up to speed, in the know and circled back to be socialised by checking out The BrisMan’s Monday offering HERE, RAWFy and his ruminations particularly on the SuperW HERE and King KARLos and his opinions on why diving in rugby is perfectly legitimate despite Law 9.27 HERE.
Today’s banner pic comes to us from the Temora Tuskers as this week they press suits, polish up shoes and dust off the archives in preparation for their Reunion Ball on Saturday night, and shows the premiership winning side of 1986 in that most surreal of fleeting moments – the dressing shed after the win – when the relief washes through you and the enormity of accomplishment begins to come home. Winning a premiership is huge. Winning a premiership in a little town, representing your folk against all-comers is all-encompassing. Pics like that give me goosebumps just looking at them. Have a blast this weekend folks.
Wellington Redbacks with a mixed bag versus Mudgee Wombats last weekend
Super Rugby Final
Hurricanes v Chiefs at 5pm (Syd) on Saturday 20 June from Hnry Stadium, Wellington
So here we are. Since the Landers bunted with the Cru on 13 February we’ve had 16 weeks of rounds, two weekends of finals and now we get down to the final show. I won’t wax too lyrical about the stats and facts of this match because plenty of folk far more eloquent than I both have and will. But I will say two things:
The Hamiltonians have won seven of their last 10 Super encounters against the Wellingtonians including an extra-time 22-17 win from Round 10 this year and a 30-19 win when they last met in a finals game (2024 semi). So, the Waikato boys have heavy recent form on their side, even with Sititi and Foketi on the sidelines.
That said, the Bumble Bees have scored 50+ points in seven matches in 2026, including in their last two games, which is three more than any other team in a season in Super Rugby history. So the Brown Brownies pack a points-punch like no one else.
Look, at the end of the day, these two mobs have been the best two sides of the competition this year by some margin and so they deserve to slug it out for our entertainment. I have no idea who wins.
The Sooky LaLa List is HERE.
NSW COuntry Central West – Molong Magpies had a pretty good haul last weekend
HURRICANES (1-15): Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua, Pasilio Tosi, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Warner Dearns, Devan Flanders, Du’Plessis Kirifi (co-c), Peter Lakai, Cam Roigard, Ruben Love, Fehi Fineanganofo, Jordie Barrett (co-c), Billy Proctor, Josh Moorby, Callum Harkin
Replacements: Jacob Devery, Siale Lauaki, Tyrel Lomax, Brad Shields, Brayden Iose, Ereatara Enari, Jone Rova, Kini Naholo
CHIEFS (1-15): Ollie Norris, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Sione Ahio, Josh Lord, Tupou Vaa’i, Samipeni Finau, Luke Jacobson (c), Simon Parker, Cortez Ratima, Damian McKenzie, Kyren Taumoefolau, Quinn Tupaea, Kyle Brown, Leroy Carter, Liam Coombes-Fabling
Replacements: Brodie McAlister, Jared Proffit, George Dyer, Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Kaylum Boshier, Xavier Roe, Josh Jacomb, Reon Paul
Referee: Nic Berry
ACT Suburban Competition results last weekend
English Premier Rugby Final
Saints v Chiefs at 12am (Syd) Sunday 21 June from Twickenham, England.
Northampton Saints and their sea of supporters are set to travel to Twickenham for a second Prem final in three years on Saturday, after they beat East Midlands rivals Leicester Tigers in a thrilling semi-final last weekend. At Twickers, they will meet the Exeter Chiefs, who shocked Bath in a cracking end-to-end come-from-behind match in last Saturday’s second semi final.
For those who haven’t really been paying attention, the Saints were this years Prem minor premiers, winning 14 of 18 matches, thus securing them the always crucial home-ground advantage for last week’s match and win over Leicester. Their success this year is an impressive turnaround from their eighth spot finish last year and has largely been attributed to a mix of maturity and squad depth allowing them to win some tough and tight games throughout the year, particularly away from home, even when their internationals were unavailable. They are solid across the park and now hardened as a unit.
South Australia’s Souths Rugby 3rds took home a great 20-13 win over Burnside last weekend to mark Inoke Buliruarua’s 250th game (front & centre).
As for Exeter, they finished third on ladder with 11 wins from 18 starts. Starting with a controversially brutal pre-season, new attack coach Dave Walder and Director of Rugby Rob Baxter successfully reshaped the squad’s whole playing identity, relying on youth bolstered by key signings including Andrea Zambonin, Tom Hooper, Stephen Varney, and Len Ikitau to change the club’s trajectory. This reinvention triggered a mercurial season, culminating in a dramatic playoff semi-final comeback last weekend wherein they overcame a 26-10 half-time deficit, and breathtaking indecisiveness among the Bath halves to snap a crucial field-goal in the dying moments, to defeat Bath 27-26 in front of an ever-vibrant Bath crowd at The Rec.
As for Aussie-spotting, expect to see James Ramm and Josh Kemeny for the Saints while Len Ikitau, Tom Hooper and Scott Sio will roll out for the Exeter lads.
The Referee will be Matthew Carley and in a fantastic twist of fate, the Final will in-fact be a repeat of round one where the two sides not just met but came away with a 33-all draw after a remarkable Chiefs fightback. This match will be one to not miss.
Results from Qld Downs Rugby Gatton Black Pigs v Goondiwindi Emus last weekend
As of 10pm Wednesday night (Syd) the finalised team sheets had not been published, but the expected teamsheets based on last weekend plus updated injury/availability information look like this:
Saints Starting XV:
15. George Furbank (c), 14. Tommy Freeman, 13. Tom Litchfield, 12. Rory Hutchinson, 11. George Hendy, 10. Fin Smith, 9. Archie McParland, 8. Henry Pollock, 7. Tom Pearson, 6. Josh Kemeny, 5. Ed Prowse, 4. Alex Coles, 3. Elliot Millar Mills, 2. Curtis Langdon, 1. Emmanuel Iyogun.
Replacements:
16. Craig Wright, 17. Danilo Fischetti, 18. Luke Green, 19. JJ van der Mescht, 20. Tom Lockett, 21. Callum Chick, 22. Jonny Weimann, 23. Fraser Dingwall.
Chiefs Starting XV:
15. Olly Woodburn, 14. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 13. Henry Slade, 12. Will Rigg, 11. Ben Hammersley (or Campbell Ridl), 10. Harvey Skinner, 9. Stephen Varney, 8. Greg Fisilau, 7. Ross Vintcent, 6. Tom Hooper, 5. Andrea Zambonin, 4. Dafydd Jenkins (c), 3. Jimmy Roots, 2. Jack Yeandle, 1. Scott Sio.
Replacements:
16. Joseph Dweba, 17. Ethan Burger, 18. Bachuki Tchumbadze, 19. Rusi Tuima, 20. Ethan Roots, 21. Tom Cairns, 22. Will Haydon-Wood, 23. Paul Brown-Bampoe
I’ll update the team lists once they’re formally released.
ACT Sthrn & Monaro Cup results last weekend
Around the campfires…
In news from the more obscure places wherein our game is played around this big brown bugger of a land, I came across a great match report from last weekend when the Condobolin Rams travelled the near 3hrs and 270kms down the Lachlan Valley Way to meet the Boorowa Goldies head on in the NSW Country Central West / South West zone.
As alleged by the ever-unimpeachable Deep Heat Diaries correspondent, some 20-odd Rams entrained for the trip to Boorowa for the Round 8 engagement, and reports are the Rams made good account of themselves against the disciplined, experienced Boorowa outfit, led by a forward pack ‘full of absolute fridge freezers.’
Despite the obvious physical mismatch, the opening 20 minutes from the Rams was nothing short of outstanding so told, running set piece moves so fancy a couple of sidelined old boys reckoned they should’ve come with sub-titles. However, it was the Goldies who opened the scoring with a pie sans sauce before the Rams answered back with pies to George Simiana and Josh Payne, with the ever-reliable TBone splitting the sticks twice to see the visiting Rams up by 14-5.
At that stage, a few of the Condo supporters were quietly wondering if an upset might be on the cards…. but unfortunately, premiers don’t become premiers by accident and the Goldies checked the oil, kicked the tires and then threw their machine into high gear, hitting back with three pies with sauce to see oranges called at 26-14 to the locals.
A Ram skipping away from a Goldie
The second spell saw the home side gradually grind on and gain the upper hand. And the Condo defence, which had been putting some very large Goldies on their backsides all afternoon, started to feel the effects of physics and a tough contest. As such, Boorowa bashed over a few more tries and eventually ran away with the result. And so history will record the final score as 52-14 to the hosts.
But honestly, the scoreboard doesn’t reflect just how well the Condo boys played. Considering the injuries being carried and the fact they were up against the best side in the competition, every Ram should be stoked with that effort. Even the Goldies crowd was remarking that it was one of the fastest, cleanest and classiest games of country rugby seen on the local track in a long time.
For the record, Tom Clemson had a blinder at halfback, controlling the game and keeping the boys on track, while Sam Nixon worked his usual magic at fullback. It’s just a shame all that talent disappears when someone hands him a beer. Best on ground went to Josh Thompson for his massive hits, strong carries, slick little passes and not a single backward step all afternoon.
As always, the result didn’t stop the celebrations. TBone got hold of the piano at the Boorowa pub and turned a few heads. It’s believed he signed at least three autographs before the night was over. And the drive home through such metropolis’ as Wattamondara, Gooloogong, Wirrinya, and Bedgerabong was a reminder that country rugby is the only sport where a loss and a bloody long drive can still end with everyone having an absolute ball.
Cootamundra tri-colours next weekend for the Rams.
How good is Bush Footy hey?
Following up from last week and the pre-game spiel of the Grafton Redmen Redchix and their programmed clash with SCU Marlins up in NSW Country Mid North Coast zone, the match report from ‘Nico’ came back as predicted with the Redchix forwards paving the way to a commanding victory.
Grafton were dominant from the outset, running in three unanswered pies before the Marlins got their feet under themselves and stopped the onslaught with committed defence before then stringing together phase after phase of good, constructive play themselves to starve Grafton of possession. That said, while Grafton are normally a side noted for their enterprising rugby in the backs, it was their forwards who took the initiative and, led by Elesi Taupati Maea, Clare Gardner, Jess Boyle and Jess McPherson, the Redchix wrested control of the ball and the match back and resolutely turned the screws to come away with a 38-0 final score.
Once again, it was Grafton’s centre Shaniqua Williams causing most of the headaches for the Marlins defence, while scrum-half Murphy Thompson proved to be the perfect link between the forwards and backs.
An outstanding Marlin fend.
Over in Westralian Championship rugby, I did stumble across some detail of the recent Dunsborough-Busselton Dungbeetles encounter with the Bunbury Barbarians from last weekend. In what was reported as ‘a tough day at the office’ for the Dungbeetles, the Bunbury BaaBaa’s were just blitzing straight out of the box, racking up a healthy early-game lead and then turning the screws thereafter to see the match conclude with a final score of 41–15 to the Bunbarians. While naturally disappointed, Dungbeetle Supercoaches Laurie York and Brendan Thomson are on record as commenting that there were ‘plenty of positives to take away and lessons to build on’ as the team continues to develop and improve each week.
After round 9, the loss leaves the Dungers as fifth on table with four wins from nine starts and so bracing themselves for what will be a sturdy test next weekend against second placed and eight from nine Perth Irish. The now fourth placed Bunbarians are likewise sharpening their horns for their clash with eight from nine table-toppers Mandurah Pirates.
Westralian Championship rugby round 9 when the Dungbeetles met the Bunbarians.
Over in the ACT’s Southern Tablelands and Monaro Cup, the Crookwell Dogs mustered themselves by 8am for the trek up to the Jindybyne Bush Pigs in good spirits and full of determination to see Harry Hayes 50th game played as one to be remembered. And the match got underway in the same manner as from the kickoff the Dogs applied pressure to the home side, forcing an early error and giving themselves an attacking opportunity. However despite the good share of possession and field position, the lads were unable to crack the Bush Pig defence in the opening stages. Instead it was Jindabyne who showed poise to weather the storm and then turn the tables with two quick tries to take control of the scoreboard.
To their credit, the young Dogs fought back strongly. Holding onto the ball and applying pressure through the powerful running of Harry Hayes and Sam Spackman, Crookwell worked their way into attacking territory and reward came when speedster Paddy Lowe raced away out wide, beating everyone to the line to score. At 12-5 it was ‘game on’ with the Dogs right in the contest, tackling the bigger Jindy Pigs tirelessly and continually frustrating the home team by stealing opposition lineouts and disrupting scrums.
Unfortunately, injuries began to take their toll. Prop Pat Hardwick was forced from the field with a shoulder injury, Efraim Topalidis suffered a head clash, and fullback Sam Bourke was well shaken up in a crunching tackle. And from there, whether it was the long bus trip, injuries, altitude, or simply having to carry too many mistakes, the remainder of the match proved difficult for the Dogs. Jindabyne sensed this fatigue, picked up their intensity like the good side they are, and run away with the match, eventually claiming a 62–5 victory.
While the result was disappointing, there were plenty of positives to take from the effort and commitment shown by the side against a strong opponent. Points went as 1 to Sam Spackman, 2 to Dietzy and 3 to Harry ’50 games’ Hayes. Chicks Pick was Angus Smith.
Special mentions go to Carl Dietz who jumped to the breech and covered Paddy at prop, Michael Lowe for driving the bus and to our ever-faithful band of supporters who travel to watch the boys armed with thermos and blankets. Attention now turns to this Saturday’s home clash against the table-topping Bungendore Mudchooks.
Jindabyne – where Dogs and Pigs do fly!
And lastly for today, I’ll give a shout out to the Dalby Wheatchix and the Uni SQ Women’s who put their 7’s kit away and pulled on the big ones for the start of the XV’s season in Toowoomba last Friday evening. And while match details on socials are scarce as the girls seems smarter than the guys about putting incriminating stuff on social media platforms, it has been reliably reported it was an epic affair, full of guts, dash and gusto.
And indeed that summation appears backed by the evidence as local reports tell that the Uni girls got off to the better start, posting an unsauced pie to Emma Anderson, before the Uni halfback ate a cheese for foul play (high tackle), which allowed the Wheatchix to regather and exploit the situation with a pie to Katarina Caginitoba, duly sauced by Elizabeth Brown in what proved to be the crucial play of the engagement as the Wheatchix went on to secure the win by 7-5.
The Wheatchix now plan their plans for the Warwick Women next weekend, while the SQ Uni women will line up against the Gatton Black Sows.
SQUni Women’s team for last weekend
Righto, I reckon that will about do this week. There’s rugby in here from Queensland, various NSW and ACT country outfits, Victorian results, South Australian game counts and even a Westralian match report, all without even mentioning Super and English Premier content, so if I give you guys any more you will just get spoilt.
Get down and support your local mob this weekend. They need you. You need them. Here’s an idea: take an old blanket or tarp, grab a mate or two and do one of the old fashioned ‘Injured Players’ walkarounds at halftime and collect a few shekels for your club. They will love you for it and you will probably get a steak sandwich and a beer for your efforts.
Say “Hi” to your mum for me.
Play hard. Run straight. Tackle brave.