Round One of the Callida Consulting John I Dent Cup and Premier 15s saw the season start with some great games of footy over the weekend and round two promises to be no different.
The weekend will be recognised as Military Round with the ACT Rugby Referees Association (ACTRRA) supporting and raising funds for the ‘Robert Poate Centre’ a Soldier On facility located in Gungahlin.
Two of the three games will have a bugler with all teams observing a minute's silence before kick off with those in attendance able to donate to Soldier On via a QR code with volunteers on hand to assist.
If you aren't able to attend and still wish to donate, please click here.
The round features a rematch of last years’ grand finalists when Gungahlin Eagles host the Canberra Royals at Nicholls Enclosed Oval, while across town the Wests Lions host the Tuggeranong Vikings at Jamison Oval and the Whites will face off with Uni-Norths Owls at Campese Playing Fields in Queanbeyan.
The Gage Roads Game of the Week
Gungahlin Eagles VS Canberra Royals
Both sides will be looking to get their seasons on the right track after they went down in their respective round one fixtures, setting up for a cracking game between the 2020 grand finalists.
Last time these two sides met the Royals walked away with a 33-22 win but there’s no telling how this matchup will play out.
Poor defensive discipline hurt both sides in round one and they will be looking to make amends for their mistakes, but they showed enough with the ball in hand to show that this game should not be missed.
There are several Plus500 Brumbies players featuring in this matchup with Archer Holz lining up for the Royals and Solomone Kata and Issak Fines-Leleiwasa to appear for the Eagles.
Wests Lions VS Tuggeranong Vikings
Both sides showed their offensive fire power in their round one respective matchups and this clash has the potential to have some brilliant attacking footy.
Last season’s leading point scorer Declan Meredith started the season in fine form, with an individual points haul of 19 and looms as the danger man in this Lions side.
Meanwhile on the other side, Tuggeranong’s Nigel Ah Wong looked dangerous with the ball in hand and the Lions edge defence will have to be alert to the threat he poses from anywhere on the field.
Brumbies again feature on both sides with Tom Hooper playing for the Vikings while the duo of Luke Reimer and Lachie Albert line-up for the Lions.
Queanbeyan Whites VS Uni-Norths Owls
The Whites will have their work cut out for them when they take on an Owls side fresh off the heels of a well-earned win over the reigning champions.
The Whites had a tough first hit out against the Vikings losing a man after only 15 minutes to a red card for foul play but stayed determined throughout the clash and can take plenty out of their efforts in that performance.
The Owls Siave Tema can inflict plenty of damage if given the chance and the Whites edge defence will need to be at the top of their game to stop him.
Reece Tapine is the lone Brumby to feature in this game as he lines up for the Whites.
Callida Consulting Premier 15s
Queanbeyan and Goulburn will have their work cut out for them in round two of the Caliida Consulting Premier 15s competition as they welcome the Grand Finalists to their home patch, Owls travelling to take on the Whites under lights at Campese Oval and Royals trekking up the Hume highway to Goulburn.
Owls will have a plethora of Brumbies Super W stars in their ranks, long term captain Jane Garraway leading the side from halfback while fellow Brumbies flyer Claudia Obst takes her place in the Owls side for the first time in 2021.
Goulburn have steadily improved since joining the 15s competition last year, and will look to pull of a massive upset against the 2020 grand finalists.
Queanbeyan started their journey as a newly formed side last week with a brave performance against Tuggeranong. The task doesn't get easier for the Whites taking on Royals who started their title defence with victory over Owls last week.
Queanbeyan vs Owls will be live on ACT & SNSW Club Rugby Facebook page.
Words: Mathew Williams
