RUCK & MAUL
ALTHOUGH Rocky Elsom is heading to Ireland following the Tri Nations, there remains a strong chance he will play for the Wallabies during the extensive end-of-season tour through Hong Kong and Europe in November and December. We hear Wallabies coach Robbie Deans wants him involved, not surprising considering that Elsom remains the most committed of Australian representatives, and gives the forward pack much-needed spark. Deans would also like to have Dan Vickerman in his touring squad.
Campo takes cover
The Wallabies were not the only Australians targeted at Ellis Park. Sitting nervously behind the goals at one end was David Campese, who was part of the local South African television broadcast. Campese and fellow commentator Bobby Skinstad were sitting out among the crowd and were naturally concerned they would be hit by missiles. After all, numerous Wallabies can claim to be pelted by objects at previous Ellis Park Tests. Campese was seriously considering wearing a present Russell Crowe gave him some years. It was the Gladiator helmet Crowe wore in the movie. The helmet has pride of place on the mantelpiece at the Campese Durban household. Campese left the helmet at home, but was still quick enough on his feet to evade one missile thrown his way during the game. And after being ostracised by the Wallabies for some years, it was pleasing to see Campese, who presented the jerseys last week, in the official Wallabies team photograph with his young son sitting on his knee.
Young Boks on radar?
As Australian Rugby ponders whether it has the depth to remain strong, local officials will take a close look of a tape brought back to Australia by the Fox Sports team of the South African Schoolboys versus SA Academy match, which was the Durban Test curtain-raiser. It wouldn't surprise if officials pinpoint the best from that game and try to lure them here. And for the first time in the Australian Schoolboys history, they will play a curtain-raiser before a Wallabies Test when they meet the Fiji under-18 team at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday week. The Australian Schoolboys team includes Josh Daley, the son of former rugby league international Phil, and Nick Buchanan, the son of former Australian cricket coach John. In the Wallabies' Tri Nations squad, 12 hail from the Australian Schoolboys ranks.
Far from substandard
Across Sydney tomorrow, 15 NSW Suburban grand finals will be contested. It will be an enormous day for Sydney's oldest subbies club, Petersham, which in its 125th year will be involved in all four grades in the third-division grand finals. The Rouse Hill Renegades are also on fire, having not lost a first-grade game since joining subbies two years ago. And King's Old Boys are feeling good about themselves by winning the division two club championship, which puts them back in the Kentwell Cup next year for the first time since 1978.
Besseling signs off
Former Waratahs second-rower Peter Besseling has ended his long career on top by helping the Port Macquarie Pirates retain the Barry Brent Shield in the Mid North Coast premiership. It was an eventful day for the 38-year-old, as he was red-carded for two yellow-card offences. "It's the first time I've ever been sent off," Besseling said as he nursed a broken nose from a collision with a Coffs Harbour kneecap. "It's been great, wonderful, but I think this is a good note to finish on. With a rearranged nose like this, they'll be able to hang me besides Reg Smith." The whisper around Port Macquarie is that Besseling may now be headed for a high-profile political career.
Orange on fire
The Orange City under 13s completed their unbeaten season by winning the Central West grand final in Parkes last Saturday. Two of the Orange City tries were scored by Liam Gough, the great-great-grandson of former Wallabies skipper Larry Dwyer. Dwyer was renowned for catching the train to Sydney on a Saturday so that he could play for his state and country, before getting the train home, so he could return to work in Orange on the Monday. Also in the Orange under-13 team was James Croke, whose father played with no one, but whose mother made the team banner.
Rumour of the week
A cut in funding out west is causing problems at one Sydney premiership club, and the kerfuffle over the NSW Rugby Union wanting to even out the competition by introducing a player points system may lead to administerial casualties. The cutback to just three grade teams and two colts sides is infuriating many. There will be militant talk at several club lunches and meetings in the next few days.
