| Australian Rugby Shield | |
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For the complete 2008 Australian Rugby Shield Draw click here. For the complete 2008 Australian Rugby Shield Results click here. |
| Faces of the Team | |
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| Contacts | |
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Manager TBA Coach Rob Sadler Ass Coach Huw Bowen Conditioning Coach Alex Wright Captain Gareth Brown Head Physio Mike Lowe Physio Rebecca Manson |
ARS: Vodafone Adelaide Black Falcons Match Review and Preview
26th May 2008
The Vodafone Adelaide Black Falcons are out of the running to win this years Australian Rugby Shield after a 31-8 loss against Queensland Country on the Gold Coast last Saturday night. The Vodafone Falcons were dominant for the first 20 minutes of the game and led 8-0 with a try from half-back Ben Suttell and a successful penalty from Warren Duff. Queensland scored its first try on half time.
The second half got off to a good start for Queensland with a length-of-the-field intercept try. The Falcons found it difficult to bounce back from this and Queensland began to take a strong lead capitalizing on their momentum.
This defeat followed a agonising two-point loss to Darwin in Round 1 and two convincing wins in Round two against Tasmania 45-0 and Round 3 against Melbourne 14-3.
The Vodafone Falcons clash with NSW Country on Saturday in the final round of Australian Rugby Shield. The Vodafone Falcons have gained a great amount of respect from NSW Country over recent years, loosing narrowly last year in Gunnadah by a last minute controversial penalty, and in their previous encounter, by a run away try in the last minute. Saturday is set to be another entertaining encounter with NSW playing to win the overall championship, and the Falcons playing to secure third spot and the opportunity to prevent NSW gaining first past the post honors.
ARS: Vodafone Adelaide Black Falcons vs. Melbourne Axemen
17th May 2008
The Vodafone Adelaide Black Falcons triumphed with an 11 point win over the Melbourne Axemen last Saturday night. Slippery playing conditions resulted in numerous errors from both sides, but Mika Leawere’s cross for a try just five minutes into the game saw the Falcons begin to take lead. At half time the Black Falcons lead the game 5-3, and with a desperate defensive performance, much courage, and three successful penalties from returning fullback Warren Duff, Adelaide brought the final score to 14-3.
The Falcons’ victory followed a defeat in the first round against the Darwin Mosquitoes, but a successful win over the Tasmanian Jack Jumpers in the non-competition round held 10th May. The Black Falcons will continue in their race for the Australian Rugby Shield when they meet Queensland County in Round 4 on the Gold Coast this Saturday.
Adelaide will challenge New South Wales Country in the final round of the Australian Rugby Shield on the 2008 Community Rugby Day Saturday 31st May, held at Burnside RUFC, Parkinson Oval, Corner of The Parade & West Tce, Kensington Gardens. The match will kick-off at 3pm, with numerous junior and senior matches, children’s activities and a sausage sizzle hosted from 11:30 onwards, in the lead up to the final game.
For more information about the 2008 Community Rugby Day click here.
ARS: Vodafone Adelaide Black Falcons vs. Tasmanian Jack Jumpers
10th May 2008
The Vodafone Adelaide Black Falcons demolished Tasmania with a nine-try win at Brighton Oval last Saturday night.
The Falcons kept the scoreboard busy with captain Gareth Brown scoring the first try just five minutes into the game.
With superior strength, the Falcons consistently set up attacking raids, with the forward pack all over the Tassies, pinching the line-out ball and constantly pushing the opposition scrum back.
At half time, the Falcons held a lead of 25-0 and with much success in the second half, brought the final score to 45-0.
After a frustrating loss to Darwin in the opening round of the Australian Rugby Shield, the Falcons’ outstanding victory against the Tassie Jack Jumpers, despite it being a non championship round, is a confidence-boost for the their clash against the Melbourne Axemen this weekend.
ARS: Vodafone Adelaide Black Falcons vs. Darwin Mosquitoes
3rd May 2008
The Vodafone Adelaide Black Falcons had an agonising loss in the last minute of the game against the Darwin Mosquitoes last weekend.
The first half, although full of handling errors, was well structured by the Falcons, scoring a try through Tom Ramanumanu and kicking a penalty, going into the break 8-3 ahead. The Mozzies managed to play their way back into the game at the beginning of the second half with a converted try and a penalty. Around the 70 minute mark the Falcons scored a try through Ben Hamer and kicked a further penalty to regain the lead 18-13. One minute to go the Mozzies were awarded a penalty in the Falcons half and through ill discipline the Falcons were marched back 10 meters. The Mosquitoes taking advantage of the retreating Falcons took a quick tap and ran for the line. The ball carrier was tackled just short of the line and the ball was spilt forward over the try line and pounced upon by a Mosquito. The referee awarded the try indicating that the ball had hit the arm of the tackler. The Mosquitoes went on to convert the try winning the game 20-18.
This Saturday’s match against Tasmania, taking place at Brighton Oval and kicking off at 7pm, is a non Championship round. Tasmania is playing only three matches during this year against The Falcons, Melbourne and Darwin during their respective bye week of the main competition. The last time the two sides met was a year ago in Hobart when the Falcons had a very convincing win beating the Tasmanian Jack Jumpers 49-0. There have been a number of changes to the Falcons starting line up and they are looking at this game as an opportunity to regroup and run through structures and execution in preparation for the final three rounds of the ARS competition.
Bartercard Trophy Final Results
17th March 2008
The Bartercard Trophy concept has proved to be a huge success, exposing a large amount of players and coaches to the falcons program. The final standings following round three were as follows:
____________ |
Played |
Won |
Drawn |
Lost |
Bonus.1 |
Bonus.2 |
For |
Against |
Diff |
Points |
|
1 |
SOUTH EAST |
3 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
69 |
31 |
+38 |
13 |
2 |
EAST |
3 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
60 |
41 |
‘+19 |
11 |
3 |
SOUTHS |
3 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
29 |
36 |
‘-7 |
4 |
4 |
NORTH WEST |
3 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
27 |
77 |
-50 |
0 |
Although the competition was affected by the extreme weather in round two, with prior warning we managed to change round three to Friday night therefore avoiding the heat of the day.
The concept of selecting a final 30 training squad for this years Australian Rugby Shield was amended due to the exposure of such a large number of quality athletes to 40. The 40 will play in a further trial on 2nd April, under lights at Brighton prior to the squad then being reduced to 30.
The current 40 players are:
Old Colls – Christian Tedge, Jon Collins, Ben Hamer, Ben Suttell, Will Mellor, Richard Czeglik, Tom Moon, Leigh Rebbeck, Simon Burmester. Brighton – Gareth Brown, Ben Wilson, Wayne Londema, Logan Brown, Tom Wright, Travis Collier, Clayton Collier, David Anderson. Woodville – Matty Connor, Jason Starchenko. Port Adelaide – Tim Mattin, Tavita Raikiwasa, Inosi Tukana. Onkaparinga – Kurt McKinley, Geoff Bracken, Jacob Satala. Burnside – Ross Duncan, Joel Taufaao, Wayne Vincent. Southern Suburbs – Declan Scragg, Shaun Coulter, James Cope, Mike Leawere, Tom Ramanamanu, Peter Gibson, Pat Williams. University – Simon Redfern, Hugh Sheppard, Stu Robertson, Ryan Lupton. Elizabeth – Matthew Hopkins
For 2007 Season Results click here.