Namaste Comrades and welcome to another iteration of Nutta tip-toing through the tulips and having a bit of a gander at the matches for the upcoming weekend of the Nations Championships before we duck-dive into a look about rugby in the less seen places around Australia in “Around the campfires…”
For anyone wondering, this weeks hero pic is from Newcastle Griffins Rugby who are going through a rebuild up in Central Coast rugby. They are pushing a heritage theme I have a penchant for in that once you’ve worn a jersey, you’ve not only now got a place in that club forever, but it also ties you back into the very origins of the club and how the fabric of the club was formed. And that’s just as much an obligation to fulfil as it is a privilege to enjoy. Accordingly, the Griffins are issuing a call to arms to get (back) involved: “You’re very welcome to our games, you’ll be treated with respect and our boys will appreciate being cheered on by a proper home crowd.” Well said lads.
Goondi Emu’s are always on the front-foot with their socials and calendar.
As ever, the contributions of my fellow writers are worth a read with Brissy’s biblical effort on Monday of covering off on round 1 of the Nations Champioship HERE, RAWFy and his look at SuperW and Wobbs Player Ratings from last weekend HERE and then YOWIE waxing lyrical about how to confer with referees HERE. And of course we have debuted two new contributors in recent weeks, so if you’re not across their work, check out Harry HERE and Sparkey HERE.
As ever, I’ll remind folk that we are a merry mob of volunteers scribbling away and if anyone wants to add their two-bobs worth as an article it’s always welcome. You can reach out to me directly at [email protected] or use the site ‘submit a story’ link HERE.
Righto, enough of the niceties and housekeeping. Let’s crack into a look at this week’s upcoming fixtures and general goings on.
Great shot of participants at the Battered Bugs Festival as hosted by the Wynnum Bugs a fortnight ago
Nations Championship Round 2
For those not paying attention, the Nations Championship has begun. It is a tournament designed to aggregate the traditional mid-year and end-of-year Test circuits into a competitive “North vs South” style format to ultimately crown a global champion every two years. It runs in year one and three of the four-year World Cup cycle and solidifies the touring efforts into a more comprehensive and coordinated platform.
It runs as two conferences of six teams each: Northern Conference featuring the Six Nations teams of England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, France, and Italy. Southern Conference featuring the SANZAAR teams of New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, Argentina plus Japan and Fiji.
It’s a six round programme wherein teams play only those from the other conference, with three rounds in mid-year and three rounds in November. However, there is also a championship round scheduled for 27-29 November wherein the top team from each conference will play-off for top spot while 2nd will play 2nd etc to sort out a final standing table.
Results from Week One have been talked, dissected, assessed, reassessed, verballed and subject to everything short of a Donald Trump phonecall. But for the record, the results were:
Accordingly, that leaves the World Rankings table as of this week as:
And keeping with my new-found attempts at brevity, the fixtures for week two are as follows:
New Zealand vs. Italy from Wellington at 3pm (Syd) on Saturday 11 July
The first test between these two was the opening game of the first-ever Rugby World Cup on 22 May 1987. The All Blacks won 70–6 at Eden Park, highlighted by a legendary 75-metre solo try from winger cum bad glasses wearer John Kirwan. And since then the AB’s dominance has continued, winning all 16 tests since, including a 101-3 obliteration at the 1999 World Cup. That said, the Azzurri did hold the AB’s to a 31-21 scoreline at the 1991 World Cup and technically did have a 0-0 draw with them off the back of Typhoon Hagibis at the 2019 World Cup when their pool match was cancelled.
I don’t expect much to change in this upcoming match as current world no2 should shellack the world no10.
…the rest of the Top20 as they stand today
Australia vs. France from Brisbane at 5.30pm (Syd) on Saturday 11 July
There have been 53 tests between the Wobbs and the Frogs since the first encounter in 1928, won by the Wobbs 11-8. France has won only one test series in Australia, that being 1972, but all up the head-to-head match tally is quite tight at 29 wins to the Wobbs for 22 to France and two draws. All that said, I’m not sure how a walk-off would have been recorded if in-fact John Eales had followed through with his threat at the 1999 World Cup final.
Fast forward to this weekend and sensible folk would have to tip the Frogs. Currently ranked 4th in global estimates, France will be looking to reignite their early form from last week as they unleash a pack of dead-set heavyweights, likely including former local-lad Tom Staniforth, who will aim to batter all and sundry in the 8th ranked green and gold, as they feed a steady stream of ball to an electric backline.
Crookwell Dogs and a good idea of a fundraiser
Japan vs. Ireland from Newcastle at 8pm (Syd) Saturday 11 July
Ireland has historically dominated Japan in international rugby, winning 10 of their 11 official Test matches since 1985. However, the rivalry is universally celebrated for producing one of the most famous upsets in rugby history at the 2019 World Cup, when the Brave Blossoms faced down the no1 ranked team in the world (at the time) and took away an astounding 19-12 win at Shizuoka Ecopa Stadium. This win is often cited alongside Nippon’s other famous win with the 2015 “Brighton Miracle” win against South Africa as not just Japan’s most famous rugby victories, but arguably the greatest upsets in international rugby history.
That said, whilst Japan were indeed brave and assured in their victory over the Azzurri last weekend, I expect the current world no3 Irish to comfortably account for the world no12 this weekend. Famous last words…
Red wine & steak? Barossa Rams of course.
Fiji vs. England from Liverpool (Eng) at 11pm (Syd) Saturday 11 July
This rivalry began on 28 August 1973 when England traveled to Suva, scraping by with a narrow 13–12 victory at Buckhurst Park, but settled into a predictable story over the coming decades as the English dominated the Flying Fijians over the next nine tests. However, at their tenth meeting on 26 August 2023, Fiji stunned the rugby world by defeating England 30–22. Tries from Waisea Nayacalevu and Vinaya Habosi secured Fiji’s first-ever victory over England, and also marked the first time an embedded Tier 2 nation had beaten England at Twickenham. And just months later, the two teams met in a highly charged 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final in Marseille wherein Fiji roared back from a 14-point deficit to tie the game late, only for a clutch drop goal and then penalty from Owen Farrell saw England scramble home to a 30–24 win.
This could be the upset tip of the weekend. While Fiji will seriously miss the skills of Semi Radradra and the loss of Tim Hoyt will further expose an already fragile scrum, the English come with the luggage of a six-match losing streak. So with a heavy travel and physical toll from the Springbok thumping in their boots, England are ripe to be beaten if the Fijian passes can stick.
Warren Pumas Ladies Day. There’s a joke in there about big cats and cougars yeh?
South Africa vs. Scotland from Pretoria at 1.30am (Syd) Sunday 12 July
These two first met on 17 November 1906 as part of the very first Bokke tour, wherein Scotland secured a 6-0 win at Hampden Park in Glasgow. However, since then traffic has pretty much been all one way with the Bokke winning 25 of the 29 further official tests played since, including a 10-try 68-10 shellacking of Scotland at Murrayfield in 1997. And indeed that Jaapie dominance has continued well into recent times with the last time Scotland recording a win being the 21-17 upset in 2010.
I don’t see that recent trend being bucked this weekend. Scotland will be as brave as ever and if Wee Finn Russell can get some ball anything may happen. But that will be the issue – I expect the Scots to get little quality, useable ball.
Springboks: Boan Venter, Johan Grobbelaar, Wilco Louw, Cobus Wiese, Ruan Nortje, Paul de Villiers, Pieter-Steph du Toit (c), Evan Roos, Embrose Papier, Handre Pollard, Canan Moodie, Damian Willemse, Jesse Kriel, Edwill van der Merwe, Aphelele Fassi
Reserves: Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Zach Porthen, Ben-Jason Dixon, Vincent Tshituka, Elrigh Louw, Grant Williams, Quan Horn
Scotland:
Reserves:
Quirindi Lions and Central North RU schedule over next 3wks
Argentina vs. Wales from San Juan at 5am (Syd) Sunday 12 July
Wales holds a historic advantage over Argentina, winning 15 of their 26 official Test matches. However, Los Pumas have aggressively closed the gap in recent years, shifting the balance of power with highly physical displays and a historic streak of dominant wins including in the 2023 World Cup quarter final in Marseille (29-17 win) and then 09 November 2025 when Argentina completely dismantled Wales, running in seven tries to secure an emphatic 52–28 win.
While Wales are finding an identity and did play some quite good bread & butter rugby last weekend in beating a persistent and chaotic Fiji, I imagine the world ranked no7 Argies, playing in-front of a home crowd, will be a different matter this weekend. Expect the Welshmen to get a bit of a hiding from Los Pumas.
A lineout as tight as the 31-all draw from Coonabarabran Kookas vs Canowindra Pythons last weekend
Teams will be added as and when published (and I get around to it!).
Around the campfires…
Down in Victorian country rugby, the Ballarat Highlanders are throwing out an invitation to anyone who has ever thought about donning the boots for one last run but never had the opportunity to do it, well you do now!! The Highlanders are looking for all old & not so old (over 35) players to come for a game of Masters footy for Ballarat versus the Vic Masters!
The local Landers have an amazing schedule coming up for their Gala Celebration on the 18th of July, and the keystone of it all is the chance to host the Vic Masters for a 4pm kick off after the 2pm game versus Bendigo Fighting Miners.
Apparently ‘We started throwing the idea around this week and have had good interest so far, so it should be an amazing day to relive the glory years, have some fun with old mates and touch a proper footy again, before beers in the Ballarat Clubrooms and then reconvening at the Robin Hood at 7.00pm.’
So even if you’re nowhere near the area, get on board. It’s a perfect opportunity to book accommodation, share an ale, tell no lies or exaggerations and have a cracking day, celebrating 50 years of Ballarat Rugby.
Rugby in Victorian country. Get on it!
A bit to the east and a little north in the ACT Monaro and South Coast zone, Cooma Red Devils won a thriller last weekend at Rotary Oval over their ‘up the road a bit’ neighbours and rivals the Jindabyne Bushpigs by 39-38.
Details as to the exact events of the match are scarce as the win did only fuel the locals enthusiasm as they then donned battlesuits and sallied forth for the Cooma Snowball which kicked off later that evening at the Alpine Hotel. One repercussion of such events being that the usually-reliable match report from local reporter-on-the-scene has yet to materialise in social media. However, I deduce those circumstances can only mean that the evening was one of spectacular dimensions and cataclysmic hangovers.
As for their on-field donk-ons, we can expect these two protagonists to meet again this season as the table below indicates quite plainly that with two weeks to go before finals time, they will each feature prominently in what is yet to come.
And speaking of the ACT Monaro area, on a more sombre note, the Yass Rams club, family and friends are rallying behind local lad Harrison Locke after he suffered a serious neck injury during a recent game, fracturing his C1 vertebra.
The club has let it be known that Harry has a long road to recovery ahead, and so they’ve launched a GoFundMe to help ease the financial burden of medical expenses, lost income and other life adjustments while he focuses on healing. Link HERE. Every donation, no matter the size, will make a difference.
The Rams thank you for getting behind one of our own. 
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Yass Rams remaining 2026 draw.
Up in NSW Country Central West / New Holland competition, the Narromine Gorillas want to know what you’re doing on the 18th of July, because now you’ve got somewhere to be. They are inviting all and sundry to join them for their combined Sponsors and Old Boys Day, as the club shows their appreciation to those that support them year in year out, and to reminisce, reflect, exaggerate, lie and leave little unsaid about all their players and exploits (both on and off the park) over the last 44 years 
Details:
📅 WHEN: Saturday 18 July 2026
📍 WHERE: Cale Oval, Narromine
🎟️ TICKET INCLUDES:
A great afternoon of rugby
Entry to the Sponsors & Old Boys marquee
Food and drinks throughout the day
Rugby World Cup ticket auction
So with plenty on offer at Cale Oval, alongside hosting the Wellington Redbacks for a cracking days rugby, it’s an event not to miss – head to the link HERE to grab your ticket now.
A bit further to the west, out in what used to be Western Plains zone, the ever-irrepressible Gulargambone Galahs are now offering tickets for Sara’s Ladies Day on Saturday 18 July, coinciding with their scheduled fixture against the Coonamble Rams.
Besides the team from ‘The Frothy Filly’ serving cocktails and mocktails all day, tickets include exclusive Ladies Day merch, an individual grazing box from Riverview Cafe, bus transport and more. So there’s something for everyone.
Gates open at 12:00pm, with the Flamin’ Galahs women’s game kicking off first, followed by the men’s.
So, round up your friends, grab your frocks and join in for an afternoon of rugby, great food, delicious drinks and plenty of fun! Grab your tickets now HERE.
Doing it the right way out Gular way
Speaking of the Coonamble Rams, now that the dust has settled and the headaches receded, they report that they’ve got some thank-yous to make after our massively successful 70th anniversary celebrations last weekend.
The biggest thank you must go to our 70th anniversary sub-committee. Under the leadership of Ella Cleary, these wonderful volunteers (pictured below) put in massive hours to make our 70th weekend so memorable. We were lucky to have such a big committee, and not everyone is pictured here 
Also a big thank you to @coonambleshire for the use of the pavilion, how lucky we are to have such wonderful facilities to use!
Further acknowledgements are made to our bar managers Mark Hoath and Scott Parry for making sure everyone was having a great time and staying safe, and to our talented MCs Dave Taylor and Xander Deans for keeping the events running smoothly and providing some great banter across both nights 
And last but not least, a huge thank you must go to our community and supporters for turning up and supporting our club, even in the cold and rain. We all feel incredibly proud to be part of such a great club and community 
Bring on the next decade!
It just doesn’t happen without the folk helping out back.
And looking even further west over to the WA Community Championship, I’ll throw in a quick shout-out from the Dunsborough Dungbeetles giving a huge thank you to Curtin University Rugby & Perth Rams RUFC for making the trip down and helping the Dungas celebrate their 30th Anniversary last weekend at Barnard Park. From a hard-fought affair, Dungas were proud to successfully retain the Shelter Cup once again this year, and they’re already looking forward to the return leg and contesting it again next season.
So thank you to everyone who came down to support the day and help make it such a great occasion both on and off the field. And a further special thanks goes out as well to Shelter Brewing Co for supplying the winning team with a few cartons of their finest Shelter Lager to celebrate the victory.
To the victor goes the spoils – Cups Up and some sponsors product for the Dungbeetles! I want that jersey.
Righto, thanks to all for sticking about and wading through this week’s updates. I thought the last weekend of international footy was just fantastic and I’m certainly looking forward to another round of it this weekend. And midst all that, don’t forget to get behind, rally around and lead the way by getting out, showing up and shouting loud for your local contingent of marsupials, mammals, bovines, canines, big cats or assorted fish as they do sally forth and represent you and your community at your local grounds.
Say ‘Hi’ to your mum for me.
Play hard. Run straight. Tackle brave.
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