ACT Rugby 28/08/2024

A very stop start affair this week with officials regulating high tackles and the breakdown mercilessly. Throughout the first half of the match Royals weathered penalty after penalty that had them on the back foot and behind on the scoreboard. A half time chat and reminder that the capability to make the required adjustments was within this group seemed to find its mark and Royals played with intent and focus for the remainder of the match, providing only minimal opportunities for Wests to get their hands on the ball. As the full time whistle blew Royals were ahead by 38-29 and...

Canberra Royals 07/08/2024

Round 15, last game of the regular season and an opportunity to confirm our top 2 place heading into finals. This was an important game for Royals. Top two means we have at least two opportunities to make our way into the big dance, but more than that it’s continuity of momentum. Winning is a habit we are keen to lock in. Connal McInerney established early dominance for Royals with a try in the first 3 minutes of the game. Indeed the Blue Baggers never really dropped their intensity from that point on, scoring 5 tries in the first half and...

Canberra Royals 01/08/2024

We all owe Jim Taylor a round of sincere thanks for booking us in with the Bureau of Meteorology for superb weather to celebrate 75 Years of Royals Rugby. On a very special day for the club our boys took to the field looking a treat in their old school cotton jerseys, having been primed and prepared by a pre-game chat from John Ross. We were expecting Uni to put in a strong showing this round after getting up over the Eagles last round, and through the first half that’s exactly what we got. Following several back to back penalties, Royals...

Canberra Royals 24/07/2024

On one of the most bitterly cold days we’ve seen so far this year Royals headed across the border to take on Queanbeyan in their own backyard. Aside from the cold, it quickly became apparent Royals were keyed in and ready for the challenge crossing the try line for the first time in the third minute of the game, and then following that up with another five tries in the first half alone. And with Pedro knocking over every conversion attempt on offer, the Whites never really got an opportunity to get into this match. This week our forwards dominated...

Canberra Royals 18/07/2024

An absolute game of contrasts this round with Royals struggling to get and maintain possession of the pill through the first half, while the Eagles racked up points with almost every visit to the southern end of the field. And in all fairness Nicholls enclosed ovals were somewhat of a hostile environment for the blue baggers, with the Eagles faithful entrenched at the Royals defensive end enjoying a few coldies for their Old Boys round and in good voice. The Eagles players were feeding on the atmosphere, playing good footy and in the Royals faces at every opportunity and with...

Canberra Royals 20/06/2024

In a decisive match at ANU North Oval, Royals triumphed over Uni-Norths with a commanding score of 52 to 7. Royals were superiority throughout the game, scoring eight tries to Uni-Norths' single try, and Royals' forwards outmuscled Uni-Norths in the scrums and lineouts, providing a solid platform for their backs to launch effective attacks. Royals crossed the try line eight times, with standout performances from Zac Ross, who secured two tries, and an a penalty try which came from a scrum that clearly outclassed their opposition.  Jarrah McLeod and Angus Staniforth both scored remarkable tries in their final match before departing...

Canberra Royals 22/05/2024

A Friday night game represents a novelty and a disruption. Playing under lights after work requires adjustment of pre-game routines and rituals that our coaches have put significant effort to establishing. Each element of these rituals is carefully directed towards readying the playing group for their roles and to perform at a high level from the kickoff. Disrupting this process can manifest in a range of ways, and in this case saw a very slow start to the game with dropped ball and easy turn over of possession all to common. Royals never really looked comfortable in this match, with Queanbeyan...