ROUND 2 Preview
Week 2 of the John I Dent Cup sees the Whites at home for the Club's first home game of the season and they will be itching to get into the winners circle after going down to Tuggeranong last week in the Valley. In a game where they were more than competitive for the 80 minutes, crucial errors that were seized upon by the Vikings gave a score line that was not a great indication of the closeness of the contest. In fact, despite being down to 14 men after just 2 minutes and through a red-card, it remained that way for the remainder of the match, the Whites were gallant in defeat but will want to get on the win sheet today.
With suspension, a raft of injuries and some unavailability’s this week, the starting 1st grade side will look slightly different to the side that ran out last week. Most of those changes occur in the engine room but rest assured, those stepping up will be ready for the challenge of a Uni-Norths side buoyed by a first up win over reigning premiers Royals. In reports out of the Uni vs Royals clash, the Owls were dominant up front and will pose a massive threat to the young Whites pack, but a challenge Sam French’s charges will take head on. The makeup of the teams was not finalised at the time of going to press with a number of players from both sides still under injury clouds so expect the unexpected. The Whites backline will be better for last week's outing and getting familiar with combinations and so they will be hoping for some decent possession to show their undoubted ability. With the likes of young guns Tupuo, Alifipo, Jimenez, Tapine, Richman and Jackson Stuart at the back, this is an electric backline that can shred any opposition given quality ball. They’ll be up against a very experienced and well drilled Unis backline so supporters can expect an exciting clash.
For those looking for a big day at the rugby, the action kicks off at 12.15pm with a combined 3s and 4s trial against Unis on the bottom field that will correspond with the Colts game on the main field. The Colts game will be followed by 2nd grade at 1.30pm and the 1st grade game kicking off at 3.05pm. In a great bonus for supporters, on completion of the 1st grade game, the Whites and Unis Women will face off against one another to make it a big day of rugby with this one under lights.
Also, as it is the Anzac Day weekend, the ACTRU will be holding ceremonies before all 1st grade games. This will include the reading of ‘The Ode’ followed by a bugler and a minutes silence in recognition of the sacrifices made by our service men and women across all conflicts.
Full canteen and bar facilities will be available throughout the day with the official after match function happening at the home of the new major sponsor ‘Walsh’s Hotel’ on Monaro Street. All players, partners, family and friends all welcome to enjoy the action at Campese Oval and the post-match festivities.
In other Round 2 matches , Wests will host Vikings at Jamison which will see 2 first round victors up against one another whilst the Match of the Round will see a replay of last year’s Grand Final between Royals and Gungahlin Eagles at Nicholls Oval with both sides eager to get win number 1 for the season on the board. Eagles will be boosted with the inclusion of Brumbies Solomone Kata and Issac Fines-Leleiwasa whilst Royals will have the services of young Brumbies prop Archer Holz.
