This is not the Steamers Official Web site.
This is a site for news stories, views and discussions of rugby matters including those relating to Steamers Rugby
Steamers v Tumut @ Murray Field 8 May 2021
Match Review
"the boys trained very well on Thursday night...very positive hard hit out. Looking forward to a good day".
Nathan Bright.
The Steamers paid a high price for their narrow loss to Griffith last weekend. They have a number of serious injuries most importantly to Sailasa Vakarau, and Mosese Baleidrokadroka both of whom have suffered knee injuries and may be sidelined for up to 6 weeks. These injuries come at a bad time as the Steamers need to regroup and get their season back on track with a big home win over a tough Tumut Bulls.
Tumut could move ahead of the Steamers on the SIRU ladder if they overcome the locals at Murrayfield tomorrow. I expect the Blue & Golds to get back in the winners circle despite their loss last weekend. Liam Krautz should be back and Blake Lecornu returning from injury will be an able replacement for Mosese Baleeidrokadroka at 15.
Ryan O'Sullivan will again play 10 and if he can improve on his first outing in that position last week he will be a handful for the Bulls.
Tumut always field a tough and uncompromising forward pack and this is where the Steamers came up short last weekend. I don't expect it will be much easier this Saturday. However the Steamers pack is mobile and they need to adapt their play to take advantage of this and avoid those energy sapping (and often pointless) forward contests. Hopefully they will speed up the game and give full throttle to their attacking options running the Bulls breathless. Not only will this increase their winning prospects but makes for a much better spectacle.
Assistant Coach Nathan Bright is predicting a win following the strong effort at training on Thursday evening. Head Coach, House Kora is similarly optimistic and confirmed to me that trainig this week had been positive. Hopefully they right. It should be a great contest on a sunny Autumn afternoon. What could be better. Get down to Murrayfield and show your support.
Go Steamers!
Tumut could move ahead of the Steamers on the SIRU ladder if they overcome the locals at Murrayfield tomorrow. I expect the Blue & Golds to get back in the winners circle despite their loss last weekend. Liam Krautz should be back and Blake Lecornu returning from injury will be an able replacement for Mosese Baleeidrokadroka at 15.
Ryan O'Sullivan will again play 10 and if he can improve on his first outing in that position last week he will be a handful for the Bulls.
Tumut always field a tough and uncompromising forward pack and this is where the Steamers came up short last weekend. I don't expect it will be much easier this Saturday. However the Steamers pack is mobile and they need to adapt their play to take advantage of this and avoid those energy sapping (and often pointless) forward contests. Hopefully they will speed up the game and give full throttle to their attacking options running the Bulls breathless. Not only will this increase their winning prospects but makes for a much better spectacle.
Assistant Coach Nathan Bright is predicting a win following the strong effort at training on Thursday evening. Head Coach, House Kora is similarly optimistic and confirmed to me that trainig this week had been positive. Hopefully they right. It should be a great contest on a sunny Autumn afternoon. What could be better. Get down to Murrayfield and show your support.
Go Steamers!
Steamers V Griffith Match Review
1 May 2021
Nathan Bright and James (House) Kora guiding the Steamers 2021 Season
Steamers have had a spectacular start to the 2021 SIRU Season with big wins over Wagga Reddiesand Wagga Ag College sides. True neither of their opponents in the opening 2 games are likely to feature in the finals this year but the manner of their wins, especially at Murray Field against the Ag College side shows promise for a successful campaign in 2021.
This week the Albury boys and girls travel to Griffith for what will be a more demanding task. Griffith Blacks, playing at home, can and will trouble the stronger sides and the Steamers cannot afford to be off their game. The Griffith side are still searching for a win after 2 narrow losses, and they will be keen put up a good showing in front of their home crowd.
If the Steamers’ forward pack can deliver quality possession from set play their backs are capable of breaking down even the most committed defence. The move of Ryan O’Sullivan to 10 could prove crucial. Ryan is a smart, skilfull rugby player and hopefully he will provide plenty ofopportunities for the rocket powered back three of Sailasa Vakarau, Zak Tipene and Mosese Baleidrokadroka. Discussing the matter with Ryan before the obligatory beer at the Steamers home away from home (Brady's Hotel) he confirmed that he was looking forward to the move and what forward woudn't.
In the forwards I’d expect Liam Krautz to continue to improve as he settles into the hooker role. I would like to see him running off other big men who challenge the line as once he gets half a break he is hard to pull down. I think the lanky Aiden Woodford-Smith, playing at 8 could find a useful roleputting Krautz into holes in the defence.
Head Coach James (House) Kora is looking for win at Griffith but realises that after a disrupted 2020 season the current Steamers are still settling into their game plan. Although he is not one to be too excited there is a quiet optimism apparent when he talks about the team’s prospects.
The Steamers should be able to pull off a win despite the long trip to Griffith. If they do so they will have played the bottom 3 sides and will have a tougher time in the following weeks when they tackle Tumut and Waratahs at Murrayfield before they clash with the competition leaders, Wagga City at Connolly Rugby Park on 29 May 2021.
The outcome of that game should be a good pointer to who may claim the flag in 2021. Steamers by 10.
This week the Albury boys and girls travel to Griffith for what will be a more demanding task. Griffith Blacks, playing at home, can and will trouble the stronger sides and the Steamers cannot afford to be off their game. The Griffith side are still searching for a win after 2 narrow losses, and they will be keen put up a good showing in front of their home crowd.
If the Steamers’ forward pack can deliver quality possession from set play their backs are capable of breaking down even the most committed defence. The move of Ryan O’Sullivan to 10 could prove crucial. Ryan is a smart, skilfull rugby player and hopefully he will provide plenty ofopportunities for the rocket powered back three of Sailasa Vakarau, Zak Tipene and Mosese Baleidrokadroka. Discussing the matter with Ryan before the obligatory beer at the Steamers home away from home (Brady's Hotel) he confirmed that he was looking forward to the move and what forward woudn't.
In the forwards I’d expect Liam Krautz to continue to improve as he settles into the hooker role. I would like to see him running off other big men who challenge the line as once he gets half a break he is hard to pull down. I think the lanky Aiden Woodford-Smith, playing at 8 could find a useful roleputting Krautz into holes in the defence.
Head Coach James (House) Kora is looking for win at Griffith but realises that after a disrupted 2020 season the current Steamers are still settling into their game plan. Although he is not one to be too excited there is a quiet optimism apparent when he talks about the team’s prospects.
The Steamers should be able to pull off a win despite the long trip to Griffith. If they do so they will have played the bottom 3 sides and will have a tougher time in the following weeks when they tackle Tumut and Waratahs at Murrayfield before they clash with the competition leaders, Wagga City at Connolly Rugby Park on 29 May 2021.
The outcome of that game should be a good pointer to who may claim the flag in 2021. Steamers by 10.
Bright Back for 2013
Nathan Bright, the Steamers inspirational captain in their 2012 SIRU Campaign, has confirmed that he will be back for the Steamers in 2013. "Brighty" as he is known to team mates and supporters said that he still has the hunger and wanted to raise the SIRU Premiership Shield before he hung up his boots for good.
This is good news for the Albury Club. It means that an important ingredient for next years campaign has been locked in.
He told Blindside Counter
" I just can't come to terms with the 1 point loss. All therapy has failed so only treatment option now is to play again and win it. Then I can retire".
Bright has been influential in the Steamers recovery over the last 4 years. His efforts as Captain in 2012 were particularly important. He matured that year as both a player and a leader. His efforts were justifiably recognised and rewarded on Grand Final Day when it was announced that he was the SIRU Best & Fairest Player for 2012.
Bright's return will be even more important for the Steamers as several key players have retired and a new coaching group has been installed. If the Steamers are to build on their recent successes and go all the way in 2013 it will be necessary to maintain some consistency of approach and a leader of Bright's stature within the playing group will be a great start.
Personally he will have challenges with his high level job and young family demanding a lot of time and attention. Getting to maximum fitness and maintaining the playing standards he reached in 2012 will not be easy. He has however previously displayed an ability to organise these competing challenges successfully. If he can do it again in 2013 he may well lead the Steamers to a Premiership. He deserves as much.
This is good news for the Albury Club. It means that an important ingredient for next years campaign has been locked in.
He told Blindside Counter
" I just can't come to terms with the 1 point loss. All therapy has failed so only treatment option now is to play again and win it. Then I can retire".
Bright has been influential in the Steamers recovery over the last 4 years. His efforts as Captain in 2012 were particularly important. He matured that year as both a player and a leader. His efforts were justifiably recognised and rewarded on Grand Final Day when it was announced that he was the SIRU Best & Fairest Player for 2012.
Bright's return will be even more important for the Steamers as several key players have retired and a new coaching group has been installed. If the Steamers are to build on their recent successes and go all the way in 2013 it will be necessary to maintain some consistency of approach and a leader of Bright's stature within the playing group will be a great start.
Personally he will have challenges with his high level job and young family demanding a lot of time and attention. Getting to maximum fitness and maintaining the playing standards he reached in 2012 will not be easy. He has however previously displayed an ability to organise these competing challenges successfully. If he can do it again in 2013 he may well lead the Steamers to a Premiership. He deserves as much.
Peter Bolton MemorialTrophy Revived for Murrayfield Clash
"Saturdays clash between 2 or SIRU's powerhouse clubs, Wagga Waratahs and Albury Steamers has, thanks to the sponsorship of the local Slater & Gordon offices, gained a further edge with the revival the Peter Bolton Memorial Trophy"
For almost all of the 40 years of their existence the Albury Steamers have maintained a fierce rivalry with the Wagga Waratahs. The two sides have fought out many finals and quite a few grand finals. In 1987 the Albury side won their first grand final at the expense of the Tahs. Last year the border team again took the points in the 2015 SIRU Grandfinal despite a spirited challenge from the Wagga side.
Tomorrow at Murrayfield the Tah's will be looking for revenge. The revival of the Peter Bolton Memorial Trophy and some sponsorship from the Albury and Wagga Offices of Slater & Gordon (both supporting their home team) has added some extra spice to the encounter.
Past players from both sides (and those who have played for both) are invited to join the Steamers OldBoys in their new club house for some hospitality and yarn spinning. Megan and Bowral will no doubt be leading the way with dodgy reminisences.
Come along for a great afternoon of rivalry and rugby fellowship.
Tomorrow at Murrayfield the Tah's will be looking for revenge. The revival of the Peter Bolton Memorial Trophy and some sponsorship from the Albury and Wagga Offices of Slater & Gordon (both supporting their home team) has added some extra spice to the encounter.
Past players from both sides (and those who have played for both) are invited to join the Steamers OldBoys in their new club house for some hospitality and yarn spinning. Megan and Bowral will no doubt be leading the way with dodgy reminisences.
Come along for a great afternoon of rivalry and rugby fellowship.
Views of 2015 Grand Final