WHITES TO HOST REIGNING PREMIERS
The Whites return home this week after a weeks lay-off to host reigning premiers Canberra Royals in a match that will see the end of Round 1 of the competition.
The locals are coming off a big win over the previously undefeated Wests and will be looking to continue that form into this weeks clash. The Whites have been lucky to have predominately the same 15 take the field in consecutive weeks and that stability and combination building was beneficial in overcoming the Lions last start. The Whites have been given a solid platform to operate off with a young but highly credentialed forward pack getting better at each outing. The likes of Hogan, Tuinona and Gordon have been impressive and the entire forward pack are working well as a unit.
As has been noted, the backline is very young but possess plenty of pace and ability to cut open any defence and some of the tries scored last week from the likes of Tupou and Jimemez were just scintillating.
Defence however will be the key. It was a marked improvement last week with Wests relying heavily on its forwards to rumble forward looking for points so plenty of work will have gone into that aspect of the Whites play to look for further improvement. The team has plenty of points in them, key is to limiting the oppositions.
Royals head to Queanbeyan in the very unfamiliar position of being in last position and currently winless in season 2021. However, former Whites mentor and multiple premiership winning coach Wayne Southwell will have his charges up for the challenge.
Royals are not alone in their mounting injury toll to key personnel and will be hoping for a change of luck to go their way. This season they have already lost experienced 1st graders Joel Penders and Jamie Bodman for the season and those losses have been telling. But take them lightly at your peril and the Whites will be looking to mount more misery on the Bluebags – lord knows they’ve done it to the Whites over the years.
The game will also see the return of Brumbies squad members with Reece Tapine returning for the Whites and searching for his first win in Club colours whilst young prop Archer Holz will suit up for the visitors. The match will also see the return of young Zane Marolt in the lock position after a series of injuries that has curtained his season and he will be champing at the bit to get into the action. Young flyer Harry Buckley comes onto the wing for his first start in the top grade and a reshuffle in the backline sees Richman move to the ‘10’ position, Jackson Stuart to ‘12’ and Jimenez to his favoured full back slot. Plenty of pace out wide.
Again – it will be a big day of rugby action with 1s, 2s, Colts and Women all taking on Royals whilst 3s and 4s will take on the visiting ADFA Club. Action kicks off from at 10.55 with 4th grade. These are followed by the other grades and then the 1st grade clash at 3pm. As has been standard practice this season, the Women will wind the day up with a 4.45pm kick-off under lights and played in front of the after match function at the Whitehouse for all players and supporters alike. Full canteen facilities will be available all day.
