ASRU tour wrap-up

ASRU players, including POATV Andrew Thorpe (above with ball) took on the Australian Universities side at Ballymore in Brisbane. Photos by Michael Weaver

ASRU player of the Series was awarded to AB Brad Simmons

By WGCDR Graham King

A new look Australian Services Rugby Union team formed in Sydney on June 15 to undertake a domestic tour of Australia’s east coast.

Prior to the scheduled games, the selected ASRU team were fortunate to have the Australian Rugby Union coaching education and community rugby staff conduct a two-day long ‘Development Camp’ at Randwick’s Latham Park.

Warren Robilliard and Matt Grimison from the ARU took the players through individual, group and team skills grids designed to prepare the players for the speed and consistency of the game at the higher level.

The ASRU players and management thoroughly enjoyed the development camp and all gained immeasurably from the experience.

ASRU v British Defence Army PTI Touring Team
Wednesday June 18, Victoria Barracks, Sydney.

The game started with the usual adrenalin rush and it was not long before the ASRU pack established its dominance in the scrums and lineouts.

Given good quick service by the halves, the speed of the backline quickly saw the first of ten tries scored. At the final siren the score read ASRU 56 Visitors Nil.

The visiting team from the UK were valiant in defeat and never gave up. The game also proved to be the best start for the ASRU team heading north to Brisbane for some very hard games.

ASRU v Combined Brisbane Universities
Sunday June 22, University of QLD, Brisbane.

The next match was against a Brisbane Universities combination side at the UQ.
The team began the match the same way as they did for the Sydney match. Early tries to Brad Simmons, Aaron Cimbaljevic and Paul Yates allowed ASRU to dominate across all phases.

The coaching staff took the opportunity to replace many players and give the reserves as much game time as available. ASRU continued to dominate the match throughout both halves, scoring 12 tries (six in each half) with Paul Yates kicking nine conversions and Brad Simmons kicking one.

The final score was ASRU 78 to Brisbane Unis 10.

ASRU v Queensland University of Technology/Norths Premier Grade
Tuesday June 24, Shaw Park, Brisbane

QUT/Norths started the match at a furious pace, exposing many of the ASRU players for the first time to the speed and pace of competitive rugby at the higher level.

After a short period, ASRU settled into the game and both sides played enterprising and high quality rugby.
At half time, the score favoured QUT/Norths 12 to ASRU 8.

During the second period, ASRU maintained its attacking patterns and dominated, scoring four more tries. Andy Thorpe converted one of these while QUT/Norths scored a fine try mid way through the half.

The final score was ASRU 30 to QUT/Norths 17.

ASRU v Australian Universities
Sunday June 29, Ballymore, Brisbane

The big day finally arrived after a very good four days of lead-up training.

The selectors chose a “run-on fifteen” to absorb the initial pressure and set the platform for the more creative players to exploit the attack.

Nerves and early ASRU mistakes allowed Universities to skip to a 7-0 lead. Good scrambling defence and some sustained phase play saw Brad Simmons score a good try.

In a sign of a very good side, Unis hit back almost immediately after several ASRU mistakes, allowing Unis to score another two ‘soft’ tries, converting both.

Some good rallying words by Spencer Norris and his hard working forwards again put the ASRU backline in motion with Brendan Christensen scoring a try and Paul Yates converting.

Not long after, Yates kicked a penalty goal; Unis 21 ASRU 15. Loose possession by ASRU allowed Unis to score a converted try to take the score to Unis 28 and ASRU 15.

Just before half time, more good phase play from the ASRU forwards saw an ASRU back line attack with Shaun Guppy busting through three Unis players to score a sound try. Yates again converted to make the half time score Unis 28 and ASRU 22.

Not long after the resumption, Unis attacked down the blind side. Their ultra-quick winger (Reece Goode - a QLD representative player), raced seventy metres to score a try. Again, their kicker did not miss to take the score to Unis 35 and ASRU 22.

Soon afterward, Unis attacked the ASRU line from long range and scored another converted try.
Unlike previous years however, the character and determination of this year’s ASRU team became evident. In a crowd pleasing attacking display, ASRU threw the ball around with some bewildering passing and handling movements, coupled with excellent phase play and ball recycle from the forwards.

Peter Burnheim (replacing Rick Dumigan) scored out wide, quickly followed by Nick Leseberg grabbing a five pointer after some wonderful forward drive and phase play. Paul Yates converted one of these tries.

Unis scored shortly afterwards, though ASRU would not give in and they continued to attack the Unis at every opportunity. Only the clock and some finishing mistakes beat ASRU’s efforts to add to the score line, the full time score reading Unis 54 ASRU 34.

Outstanding performances were produced by all, though special mention goes to ASRU Captain CAPT Spencer Norris along with AB Brad Simmons and CPL Tommy Navusolo.

Others to produce exacting games were AB Jason Cook, FLGOFF Nick Leseberg (replacing outstanding player in CPL Adam Monson) and the front row of SPR Shaun Richardson and CFN Joe Rains. Even their replacements, LS Craig Shankland and CPL Chris Waters, not only held their more fancied opponents but created time and space for the ASRU ball players to attack.

TPR Jacob Byrt had a great game at No 8 along with LS Jason Harrington.
At hooker CPL Nathan Herbert performed admirably and his replacement, CPO Darryn Thomson gave his all. Halfback MUSN Ricky Dumigan proved he can and does play at the highest level and his replacement, LT Peter Burnheim provided many different options when given his chance.

Creative players PO Andy Thorpe and PTE Ben Jones enabled the ASRU team to attack throughout the second half and CPL Aaron Cimbaljevic was at his best at fullback until replaced. Finally, LCPL Paul Yates came into his own as the game progressed, again proving he remains a premier ASRU player.

• Head Coach Graham King thanks the tour management staff of Kevin Williams and Jon Carroll (assistant coaches), James Nicholas (manager), John Oakes and Shane Niddrie (assistant managers), Kevin Power (doctor), Sam Rossatto (strapper/conditioner) and Genevieve Liebich (Physio).
• The ASRU Executive and Management wish to thank all COs, OCs, directors and supervisors of all players and tour management for their support of ASRU.
• ASRU would also like to acknowledge the support of its sponsors, without who it would not be possible to conduct annual domestic tours and prepare for their overseas tour to Canada-USA in 2004. ASRU acknowledges the following support for its 2003 season:
• Platinum sponsor - Electroboard-Polycom, Gold sponsor - Tenix, Silver Sponsor - Carlton and United Breweries, and Bronze sponsor - Classic Sportswear. Other corporate supporters include BAE Systems Australia, Future School, ADCU and KAZ Group.
  

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