Southern Inland Rugby 2025

[Bubba 2.0]

We seem to have lost a few posts on here?

Well the rockets from coaches on Thursday must have worked a little. We saw one yellow card at the the City v Tumut game on the weekend. No reds that I am aware of, so maybe Jack gets his Wednesday night date night back?

Tumut pushed City in the first half with a 12-7 scoreline at oranges. But ran out of steam in second half and the point seemed to flow in the last 20 or so. They've got a tough run after this week and will need to get some Ws to maintain that 2nd or 3rd place on ladder. Griffith host Tahs and you can get the ambush vibe already. They are a different kettle of fish this year and don't hold any fears about City or Tahs I feel.

Good weekend of rugby.

 

[Hollywood Mike]

Is @yourmatesam Back??


I’m no Rugby Review journo, but when you catch a bit of goss like this, it’s too good not to share. Word on the hill is that Wagga Tahs premiership winner, coach, and 2× SIRU 1st Grade Grand Final whistleblower was spotted back on the sacred turf—Connolly Rugby Park—refereeing the mighty 3rd grade clash between Waratahs and City.


If you were up early on Saturday the 14th, you witnessed a bit of vintage refereeing. Sam controlled a pretty one-sided affair with the calm you'd expect from someone who’s been there, done that, and still knows how to blow a sharp whistle. The chat echoing from the old grandstand (which might actually be older than the game itself) was: “Is Sam back??”


After his time away, a comeback would no doubt be a win for SIRRA—players and referees alike could benefit from his game sense and experience. You’d have to think there’s already a quiet deal in the works to get him back in that unmistakable orange kit permanently.


I’m no ref—but I know a good tone when I hear one. Would love to see @yourmatesam back out there full-time.

 

[yourmatesam]

I feel like this is a lie Mike...

While I'm sure there's plenty of referee love out there in SIRU, I won't be blowing the pea out of the whistle again any time soon, that game was a cameo.

I've done my time dishing out mustard and sauce to the masses and am happy to drink beers on the hill for the foreseeable future.

I may be interested in sharing my thoughts on the local competition from time to time, but that will be the extent of my involvement I reckon

 

[Up the Jumper]

Looks like the ambush backfired at Griffith today - The Blacks were spanked 43-12 by 'Tahs, maybe that big early season travel by Griffith has taken its toll.
The Comp is a 2 horse race again with City odds on favourites to win the Premiership. Put it this way it's theirs to Lose
Big game for the Blacks next Saturday in Wagga against Ag College, but didn't they just play each other just over a week ago in Griffith ?
Looks like City play Tumut again next weekend as well - that's a strange twist to the Draw

Southern Inland Round 8 Results​

Mens​

Waratahs 43 d Griffith 12
Tumut 41 d Reddies 17
Ag College 68 d Albury 12

Womens​

Waratahs 26 d Griffith 19
Ag College 59 d Albury 0
Tumut 30 d Reddies 0

 

[Up the Jumper]

Round 9 Preview

Waratahs v Reddies - a fortnight ago Waratahs won 57-28 with Reddies at one stage leading early into the second half. Expect Waratahs to build on their impressive defence against Griffith last Saturday and score an even bigger victory tomorrow on their home turf against the struggling Reddies side .

Tumut v City - 2 weeks ago City put the cleaners through the Tumut Bulls with a 54-7 win. The Bulls were competitive in the first half ( only down 7-17) but were outclassed in the second half by a ruthless City side who scored 37 unanswered points against their opponents.
The Bulls would love to cause an upset tomorrow at Jarrah Park but the reality is that they don't have the firepower to match City for the full 80 minutes tomorrow but I'm expecting a much smaller margin on the scoreboard than a fortnight ago

Wagga Ag v Griffith - Griffith won their earlier clash against the Aggies 39-32 a fortnight ago but required 2 late tries to clinch that result.
Ag College are desperate to stay in the race to the Finals and with Griffith struggling big time against Waratahs last weekend I reckon the Farmers will reverse the previous result between these two teams and stay hot on the heels of both Griffith and Tumut in the charge to the Finals series.

Good luck to all teams tomorrow


PS - is anyone aware of why these Round 9 matches are being played so close to their previous clashes in Round 7 - I'll guess it is a Ground availability issue because it is very strange

 

[Up the Jumper]

Not sure what to make of this article in today's Daily Advertiser ?​

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Future under pressure as injuries stack up, players switch to 'inferior' rivals​

Reddies president Isaac Erbacher is confident the women's side, featuring Dana Seward, can recover from player issues that have seen them forfeit twice this season.
A second straight forfeit has put Reddies' season in jeopardy.
After being unable to fill a women's side to tackle premiers Tumut last week, the Wagga club has also forfeited their clash with unbeaten Waratahs at Conolly Rugby Complex on Saturday.
A third forfeit would likely see Southern Inland step in and withdraw the side, as seen last season with Albury's second grade side.
However, Reddies president Isaac Erbacher is confident they can overcome player numbers issue to finish the year.
"Injuries have really taken a toll on us in the last couple of weeks," Erbacher said.

"We've had pretty serious ones like ruptured quads, dislocated shoulders, broken fingers, concussions and a couple of girls leaving to go to inferior clubs for whatever reason, but at the end of the day we're a tight club and we've got a plan to play the last four games of the season."
With the women's side having a bye coming up, Erbacher hopes to have player levels at a more sustainable level to tackle Ag College on July 19.
However, Reddies felt forfeiting this week was the best way to ensure they can finish the season.
"We're hoping to have some of those players back from injury, plus more players just being available as well to round out the season," Erbacher said.

Since 2015, Reddies has been in five women's grand finals, winning two of them, including their last in the 2022 season.

They have been the driving force of the club over that timeframe with number worries a real concern through the men's grades.

Despite the promise of renewed fortunes last season, with their first grade side finishing fifth, a bonus-point win away from a long-awaited return to finals, and second grade narrowly losing the grand final, each of their four grades is currently second last on their respective ladders with five wins between them.
The club has already taken steps to move away from its university roots to have a wider reach but Erbacher fears for their ability to compete against other clubs.
"Reddies obviously aren't backed by as much money as the other clubs and surely that shows through sponsorships, club numbers, supporters, players and the quality of players," he said.
"I could go on and on, but at the end of the day the Reddies don't have trust funds that are $100,000 to $200,000.
"We're just a humble grassroots rugby team that has been around but slowly been squeezed out by the Ag College influence, and the plan to turn the club around would be securing a long-time permanent home ground venue."
Wagga Cricket Ground is one avenue being explored, with plans for redevelopment in place.
Meanwhile, round nine shapes as a crucial one for Ag College's chances of playing first grade finals football this season.


Aggies are five points adrift of fourth-placed Griffith ahead of a showdown with the Blacks at Beres Ellwood Oval on Saturday.
Only seven points separated the two sides when they faced off two rounds ago, and now the university side has home ground advantage coming off a big win over winless Albury.
Tumut is just one point further ahead as they prepare to host unbeaten Wagga City at Jarrah Oval on Saturday.