Rugby ready for 2005

By Capt James Nicholas

THE 2005 Australian Services Rugby Season will be fiercely contested by the single service participants as they vie for the coveted status of 2005 national champions.

The Navy women’s national side will be keen to get its name on the Commodore Mick Dunne Trophy after Army won it in 2004.

Both sides attended development camps during the off-season in preparation.

The ASRC Men’s competition between Army, Navy and Air Force will be just as fierce, as in 2004 Army put on a dominant display of fast running rugby to run out convincing winners.

Navy and Air Force have prepared hard for their return encounters, and will attempt to dislodge Army from it’s top spot in ADF rugby.

Navy coach Geoff Stokes has been putting the Navy hopefuls through their paces in an attempt to single out the best squad for the upcoming competition.

Additionally, Air Force will undertake a pre-ASRC lead up which includes match-toughening encounters against their New Zealand counterparts.

2005 Australian Services Rugby Championships
May 15-21
Coogee Oval, 102-104 Brook Street, Coogee, NSW

Men’s
2pm Sunday, May 15 – Air Force v Navy
2pm Wednesday, May 18 – Navy v Army
3pm Saturday, May 21 – Army v Air Force

Women’s
12:45pm Wednesday, May 18 – Navy v Army
12:45pm Saturday, May 21 – ASRU Possibles v Probables