The Barbarians will be looking for a clear win with weekend, after grafting out a 17-all draw against Tamworth last week. Having toppled the reigning premiers the week before, Barbarians would have been confident facing the Magpies, who had been soundly beaten by Albies, but instead faced a tough fight from the Tamworth side, who fought back from an early deficit.
The BaaBaas take on Robb College this weekend, who have been narrowly beaten in their first two outings and will seek to open their account in what is shaping as a tight competition. The battle of the backline leaders, Eddie Pitt for Barbarians and Hamish Cannington for Robb, will provide the flair, but the contest between the forwards will determine the victor. The respective number 8’, Paea Taulanga and William Smith may hold the keys here.
Across town, Armidale’s Blues will be fresh and looking to turn the tables on St Albert’s College in their first-grade rugby clash at UNE’s Bellevue Rugby Ground on Saturday. Having had the week off, the Blues will be hoping to topple an Albies side that was stretched to the limit by Robb College last week. Albies were never quite out of danger against a Robb side who kept coming back and will miss the lineout and organisational play of injured Mark Green. The Blues on the other hand, have had a week off after finishing strongly in their last outing against Robb, coming home late to steal the win.
Armidale’s number 8, Tom Morgan, has been in blockbusting form, and with enough ball Jack Grant can unleash Morgan Pennefather and Jaia Richardson-Fowell out wide to test the students. Albies will be looking for a big game, with Hamish Brown beginning to show his best form and Ben Hamparsum solid at tight head prop. The Challenge Cup is again up for grabs so there is a little extra at stake for the visitors.
Each game will have the corresponding women’s 10’s fixture, with Albies women strongly favoured against the Blues, while the Robb verse Barbets game looks to be very close on paper.
In the final match for round 4, Tamworth will travel to Tenterfield to take on Glen Innes and Tenterfield in the lower grades.
Barbarian Vs Robb College Alcatraz Rugby Park Armidale Blues Vs St Alberts College Bellevue Oval Tamworth Vs Tenterfield/Glen Innes Tenterfield
Central North Rugby Union Round 5
Central North Rugby will celebrate Indigenous Round this weekend, check out the matches below.
Narrabri Vs Quirindi Narrabri Gunnedah Vs Barraba Gunnedah Pirates Vs Inverell Ken Chillingworth Oval Walcha Vs Moree Walcha
Scone will take the round’s bye.