Ciao amici and welcome to this weeks iteration of the mental meanderings of my mind as we look towards week three and the last match of the first half of this new bi-annual Nations Championship competition, followed by the usual look around at club rugby in the less advertised spaces in the segment I call “Around the campfires…”.
As ever, familiarising yourself with the week so far is highly recommended and to that end I invite you to catch up on Brissy’s seismic offering as to the performances HERE, RAWFy espousing on team of the week HERE and KARL telling us our frustrations with referees are all our own fault HERE. They’re all well worth the read.
The banner pic this week is a cracking shot I found the other week showing a text-book ‘down the centre’ lineout competition. It was a poetic pic for that game actually as the protagonists – the Canowindra Pythons and the Coonabarabran Kookaburras – went on to record a 31-all draw. Seriously though, it’s just a belter of a good photo and it had to be shared again.
Righto, enough of the pleasantries. Let’s get it on…
Coona = Coonabarabran.
Nations Championship Round 3
I’m torn. I’m loving the tournament, but after two straight Aussie losses, I’m hating our results. And I’m also decidedly not loving seeing around a dozen proud fellow Aussies run around in foreign colours. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t blame those players for doing what they must do – this is their career, their trade and as-such they’re more than entitled to ply their wares and do as well as they can for themselves and their families. But seeing so much damn good Aussie cattle charging about and doing well for other countries while we flounder about with either yet another mungo taking way too long to ‘find his feet’ or watching yet another un-drop-able and seemingly sanctified Wobbly do yet another dumb thing, is driving me spare.
Table as it stands – credit www.nationschampionships.com
Or maybe I’m not being realistic. We’ve been world number seven to nine thereabouts for sometime now. And in the last two weeks we’ve lost to the world numbers three and four. What did we think was going to happen when playing teams ranked five to six places higher than us? It wasn’t as though we were playing the next mob either side of us – we were playing teams ranked clearly well in advance of us. So why am I surprised when the sheep grew wool?
So maybe this is our lot and I need to grow up and accept it?
I cannot. And when I see clips LIKE THIS float across socials, of our cream being recognised and valued elsewhere, I accept it even less. In fact, I start to get a bit pissed actually.
I’m looking straight at you Phil Waugh. You wanted the big chair? Well earn it. We are not the production line of talent for domestic rugba-leeg and what feels like about a quarter of the test teams for near the rest of the planet. We have our own programme to fix. And while I don’t think our results are necessarily the direct and sole result of the players, losing good talent and then seeing them run around against us – be it either directly for other countries or in opposing codes – is certainly not helping. Fix it.
Overall world rugby standings this week
New Zealand vs. Ireland at 5pm (AEST) Saturday 18 July from Eden Park, Auckland
From their first meeting in 1905 at Landsdowne Road, won by the AB’s 15-0, down through their other 39 donk-on’s since, the Irish v All Black rugby test has always been worth the watch even though the tally has been one-sided (31 to the AB’s, 8 to the Irish and 1 draw). Probably the best head to head was the 2023 World Cup quarter-final in Paris, wherein a breathless, 37-phase final defensive stand, New Zealand held on to win 28–24, knocking the world-number-one ranked Irish out of the tournament. That said, the Irish have arguably had the better of the modern-times with their victories in 2018, 2021 and then winning the three-match series in 2022.
As to this weekend, this may well be another night for the Irish eyes to smile. But one thing is for sure – with both teams having won both matches to-date, neither will give an inch.
I’ll put up team lists as they come to hand.
Things could get interesting in Crookwell this Saturday night…
Japan vs. France at 6.30pm (AEST) Saturday 18 July from National Olympic Stadium, Tokyo
France first played Japan in Bordeaux during Japan’s 1973 tour of France, resulting in a 30–18 French victory. Since then, Le Frog have racked up 13 wins in total and the Brave Blossoms nada. But with Japan’s reputation for scoring big wins now folklore with the likes of the “Miracle of Brighton” against South Africa in 2015 and the “Shizuoka Shock” against Ireland in 2019 in their bag, no one could doubt that Le Coq may well be the next thing served up.
Given both teams are 1 & 0 for the tourney to-date, likewise both teams will be desperate to end the first tranch of the competition with a winning hand.
I’ll put up team lists as they come to hand.
Rugby in the Hunter – just add shiraz!
Australia vs. Italy at 8pm (AEST) Saturday 18 July from HBF Park, Perth
I don’t know what to say here. While the two nations played un-capped games in the 1970s, their first official test took place in Rovigo, Italy, on 22 October 1983, with Australia winning 29–7. Italy pushed the Wallabies incredibly hard in Brisbane in 1994 (losing 23–20) and in Florence in 2012 (losing 22–19), but they simply could not cross the finish line to secure a victory.
However, on 12 November 2022, Italy made history by defeating Australia for the very first time with a thrilling 28–27 win in Florence. The Wallabies scored a try after the 80th minute to pull within a point, but a missed conversion by Ben Donaldson handed the Azzurri an iconic, emotional victory. Then, in November 2025, after initially allowing the Wobbs to race out to a 19-0 lead, the Azzurri staged an almighty come-back to score 26 unanswered points and prove the 2022 win as no fluke.
As to this meeting, both teams are zero and two and while the Ockers have a better for and against, the Pastafarians have more points where it counts. I’m almost too nervous to watch it.
Victorian Conference Cup standings this week
Fiji vs. Scotland at 11pm (AEST) Saturday 18 July from Murrayfield, Edinburgh
While non-cap games were played earlier in the 1980s, the first official test match between these two took place at Murrayfield on 28 October 1989, resulting in a 38–17 win for Scotland. However, it wasn’t all one-way traffic as Fiji secured its first-ever official win over Scotland in spectacular fashion on 26 May 1998 when, playing in Suva, Fiji completely tore through the Scottish defence to win 51–26. And more recently in July 2025, Fiji capitalised on their hot home conditions and a late red card to Scotland’s Darcy Graham to overpower the tourists 29–14. All up it has been 13 matches played, with Scotland winning nine and the Fijians four with the results following the home team. As such, while this match is technically a ‘home’ match for Fiji (don’t ask me why – I don’t know either), the fact it’s in Edinburgh is making me tip the Scots.
Townsville & Districts results from last weekend
South Africa vs. Wales at 1.30am (AEST) Sunday 19 July from Kings Park, Durban
These two first made introductions on 1 December 1906 in Swansea, where the touring Springboks shut out Wales 11–0 and since then they’ve gone on to dance 44 times officially with the Braai Boys on 36 wins, the Dragons on seven and sharing one draw betwixt them. What is interesting about them though was a curious period between the Junes of 1998-99, wherein South Africa handed Wales their heaviest defeat in history during June 1998, a brutal 96–13 obliteration in Pretoria, only for the Welsh lads to conjour their first-ever victory over South Africa, winning 29–19 in the newly opened Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, nearly exactly 12mths later.
More recently, on 9 July 2022, Wales won on South African soil for the first time ever when a late Josh Adams try and a pressure conversion from Gareth Anscombe sealed a historic 13–12 win. However, since that historic 2022 shock, the multi-time World Champion Springboks have ruthlessly reasserted dominance, including scorelines of 52–16 in 2023, 45–12 in 2024, and a record-breaking 73–0 at the Principality Stadium in November 2025.
Bok to win.
Nerang Bulls up in Carrara, Qld doing it for the girls…
Argentina vs. England at 5am (AEST) Sunday 19 July from Estadio Único Madre de Ciudades, Santiago del Estero
While an initial unofficial match was played in 1978, the first official capped test between the two countries took place in 1981, resulting in a 19–19 draw, as part of a two-test series played in Buenos Aires. Following the outbreak of the Falklands War in 1982, sporting relations were frozen. The two nations did not play another rugby test match against each other for nine years, finally resuming contact in 1990.
The two have played some memorable games – if not always for the right reasons – including in 1995 when England won off the back of Fly-half Rob Andrew kicking an astonishing six penalties and two drop goals to seal the win, and similarly when they met in the pool stages of the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, wherein England’s Tom Curry was red-carded in the 3rd minute. Despite playing with 14 men for the remainder (back when a red card was an actual red card), England won 27–10 entirely on the back of another fly-half, this time George Ford, who kicked three spectacular consecutive drop goals.
Of more recent note, England, minus their Lions contingent, did sweep Los Pumas in their own backyard in July 2025, securing a 35–12 win in La Plata followed by a tightly contested 22–17 victory in San Juan. And they followed that up with another close 27–23 victory at Twickenham in November 2025. So Los Pumas will be aching for a square up, regardless of the soccer outcome.
There ya go Gary – Gatton Black Pigs upcoming weekend fixtures…
Around the campfires…
Starting out up in Queensland Country Downs rugby, Gatton Black Pigs and Toowoomba Rangers got it on last weekend with honours split each way.
Coming off the bye from the previous weekend, the Black Sows went down to Rangers, but word from on-ground was the Sows still put on a great show with big ups going to Elise Spencer being nominated as Sows Best On Ground! Final score was Toowoomba Rangers 17 def. Gatton Black Sows 7.
In the B-Grade, Rangers continued on their merry way with a solid 26-12 win, making for some pensive faces and a few wild grabs at Bundy cans in the lead-up to the A-Grade. However the Black Pigs A-Grade did salvage some club pride on the day, jagging 29-19 win in what was termed ‘a pretty nervous affair’.
All up, the Black Pigs correspondent did note a loud shout-out to A & B Grade Man of the Match, Charlie McDonald and Liam Carr, along with Sows BOG Elise Spencer, and a huge nod to local lad Hayden Sippel for racking up his 50th game for the club on the day as well.
Black Pigs going toe to toe with T’ba Rangers.
Still in Queensland, over in Western Qld RU, the call is going out for the rugby union players of the west – we want to hear from you!
Apparently the zone have had an exciting meeting this week and are keen to get the ball rolling with our senior matches this year! We have had some great interest from other clubs.
So, if you are 18+, would love to play a game or two for WQ, can commit to a few trainings runs and have a great time in the process, use the link above and send us a message with your details: Your name, mobile number, dates you would be available to play (18th Sep, 25th Sep and 2nd Oct).
Photos below are of our great turn out last year vs Burdekin Canetoads, so let’s make it happen again!
Up in NSW Country, Central North zone, the Moree Bulls are saying “Guess what?”… it’s officially ladies day week 
. As such, the count down is on to one of the biggest social events in the Bull’s Calendar 
This Saturday, the Moree Weebolla Bulls will take on the Pirates Rugby Club Tamworth in the final home game of the season before we enter finals. And so, given the weather is going to perfect, the drinks will be ready to pour, and the rugby is going to be a tough, it’s a great day for Ladies Day 2026.
We will have our Ladies Day Jersey Auction at the conclusion of First Grade and then kick on with DJ-ELG from 6:30pm 
There will also be a monster of a raffle running with proceeds going towards Gwydir Mobile Children’s Service and Little Wings. Lock-out will be from 6pm and the curtesy bus will run until…whenever.
If you can’t make the day and would still like to bid on the Jersey Auction or buy a raffle ticket message the club page and we can help you out! So get on board and be part of the action.
Moree Bulls Ladies Day
Out in NSW Country Western Plains, a veritable War & Peace was uncovered last night, detailing the Gulargambone Galahs trip over to Bourke to dance with the local Bourke Ewes last Saturday. The Bourke Ewes had pushed the Galahs all the way when the two sides met a few weeks earlier, and in recent rounds had defeated the previously unbeaten Coonamble side and held Walgett to a draw. Their home ground was fast becoming a fortress. Against that, the Flamin’ Galahs knew a win would secure 2nd spot on ladder and a coverted ‘second bite’ come finals time.
Unfortunately, the Flamers started slowly AGAIN (three times a habit?) and quickly found themselves 7-0 down. However this seemed to wake the girls up and so it was Grace Lummis who made the break, feeding to Paige Wilson, who spotted a gap behind the ruck and weaved her way 40 odd metres for the first of her four pies for the day. This got things into motion and with Caitlynn Mills making several damaging breaks, well supported by rover Lucy Irish, who was producing one of her finest performances of the season, the Flamers set up shop at the Bourke end of the field and went to oranges at 24-7 up.
Into the second spell and again the slow-start-bug bit the Flamers with the Ewes pulling a smart pie back. However Jess Fleming was having none of that, leading the way with solid carries and feeding quality ball to those outside her to run amok. And with only minutes remaining, inside centre Caitlynn Mills capped off another outstanding display by weaving her way through the Bourke defence to score a well-deserved try, sealing a convincing 41-14 victory for the Flamin Galahs.
Points were 1 to ‘everyone else’, 2 to Lucy Irish and 3pts to Paige Wilson.
The Flamin’ Galahs
As for the fellas, the Gulargambonians made the long trip to Bourke on Saturday with a squad of 20, held together by plenty of strapping tape, Voltaren and determination as the club continues to battle a growing injury list. Despite the challenges, the boys were ready to take it to a physical Brewarrina/Bourke outfit. And as with the Flamers versus Ewes fixture, the Bre/Bourke Barbarians exploded out of the blocks, winning an early lineout turnover before a cheap penalty marched them straight downfield, and before most spectators had finished their first beer, Bre/Bourke had crossed for their opening try and led 7–0.
Again mirroring the girls, this seemed to awaken the Galahs and, led by Dylan Ryan and Newcastle import Clancy Lantry. After some to and fro, Zac Mills produced a cheeky little show-and-go (which looked suspiciously similar to one his wife pulled off in the women’s game earlier), and so he crashed over to bring Gular back to 7–5. The lads took impetus from this and with Tim Bowman and Marshall Ryan putting on a tactical kicking clinic, the Galahs were turning the Barbarians around time and time again. This made space for the backs and shortly after, Ryan Ferguson found space, hit the accelerator and crossed to hand Gular a 7-10 lead. That said, with halftime looming, Brewarrina/Bourke reminded everyone why they’re such a dangerous side as, with one slick backline movement, they raced away for a long-range try to reclaim the lead 12–10 at oranges.
Coach Mark’s halftime address was pretty straightforward: clean up the breakdown, stick to the structure, and stop making life difficult for yourselves. And as such, the second half started exactly how Gular would’ve drawn it up. Some desperate defence from Mitch Carlow and Evan Ryan turned defence into attack before Tim Bowman produced a silky draw and pass, Zac Mills shifted it on and Darcy Neeves did what Darcy Neeves does best by sprinting away from everyone. Ninety metres later he was under the posts and Gular were back in front 12-17. This was followed soon after by Ryan Ferguson, putting in a cheeky chip and chase for himself and extending Gular’s lead to 12-24 and having one hand on the game.
Now it was time for the BaaBaas to go to work, and through their forwards they remorselessly did, and the lead swapped numerous times accordingly, eventually ending up at 31-all with scarce time and even less energy left. Unfortunately, it was here that Gular’s discipline around the breakdown began to slip, and Bre/Bourke capitalised one final time by spotting space on the edge, shifting the ball wide and crossing for what proved to be the match-winning try. 38-31 to Bre/Bourke.
It wasn’t the result Gular were chasing, but there was certainly no shortage of heart. With an injury list that’s almost its own starting XV, blokes playing in unfamiliar positions, and everyone emptying the tank, there were plenty of positives to take from the match and it did show the best attributes of country rugby.
1pt to Clancy Lantry, 2pts to Aiden Walker and 3pts to Dylan Ryan
The boys now return home for the highly anticipated Ladies Day clash against Coonamble Rams at McGrane Oval, Gilgandra this Saturday. Gates open from 12pm, kick-offs begin from 1pm, so get your tickets and get around both games of footy that is sure to be a cracker.
Bugger.
Bugger.
Down in Illawarra District Rugby Union (IDRU) competition, Shoalhaven Rugby report that it was a big day against Kiama Rugby down at Kiama Showground last Saturday.
Second Grade grabbed the early match win for the Shoalies in the last few minutes of the game, after what was reported by all as just an outstanding game of rugby.
Unfortunately for the Shoalies, the First Grade went down to a tough Kiama pack, after a courageous fight back in the second half that had a few of their faithful believing they just may snatch it back. But it was not to be and congratulations must go to a formidable Kiama outfit.
The Shoalies First Grade team wore their NAIDOC jerseys proudly, with a thank you to Scotty Webb for designing and to The Berry Hotel and Greenwell Point Pub for sponsoring our jerseys.
Big thank you to everyone who travelled up, was great to see so many people out enjoying a great day of rugby. Thank you to everyone who assists on game day, we all appreciate it.
Kiama got the bikkies over Shoalies last weekend
Down in Victorian regional competition, the Geelong Rams Rugby have been a cornerstone of Victorian Rugby since 1929. They are the only rugby union club in the Greater Geelong and South West Victoria and promote inclusive, safe and enjoyable rugby for all ages. They are also keen for everyone to know they have a trivia night coming up, so even if you’re no-where near the area, get on it.
Over in South Australian rugby, local correspondents report that it was a fantastic day for Woodville Wasps Rugby last Saturday, with some impressive results particularly later in the day. By all accounts the rain had played havoc with travel, fields and all sorts of things, leading to a number of forfeits and such in the younger/lower grades, but wins across the board in the seniors, apart from our women’s team who had a tough loss, meant the day was challenging, but hugely rewarding. So a big thumbs up goes out especially to administrators, managers and all the folks behind the scenes who managed changed locations, times and the 10,001 other things that needed to get done.
Woodville Wasps showing the way the going gets tough
And lastly for this week, we’ll have a peek west over to WA Community rugby wherein the Curtin University Goats were proud as punch to call out the Championship boys, firstly for representing and running out in our special NAIDOC round jerseys, and then for putting on a performance to match the kit, facing down a tough Dunsborough Dungbeetles side and putting their bodies on the line to secure a 22-19 win.
So I’m told, every very single Goat carried the weight of the jersey with respect, emptied out the tanks and left everything on the grass in front of the home crowd. It was culture, community, and a massive shift to see the job done 
Curtin Uni Goats in NAIDOC garb.
Righto, that will about do me for this week I reckon. Get on down to your local club as with finals coming they are building support and momentum, or just trying to hold out to the end of the regular season – either way they need you.
Say ‘Hi’ to your mum for me.
Play hard. Run straight. Tackle brave.
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