SOUTHERN Districts first grade coach Matt Barr said their two teams performed well in reaching the semi-finals of the annual sevens tournament on Saturday at Forshaw Rugby Park, Sylvania.
The Rebels host the event for all clubs in the Sydney competition, with hundreds of players showng their talents and skills.
Barr said he was pleased with the efforts of their main squad which reached the semis losing 17-15 to cup winners Gordon in the semi-final.
‘‘We led 17-5 at one stage. Gordon got up and beat us on the bell,’’ Barr said.
The Rebels’ second team won the sevens bowl and Wests won the plate.
Barr said this squad had many of their Colts players.
‘‘We went well with two teams making the semi-finals and the skill level from the teams was good,’’ Barr said.
The Rebels were beaten in the Shute Shield grand final against Eastwood, 33-13.
It was the second time in three seasons that the Rebels had lost a premiership decider.
Barr said there squad remains strong with the main departure being NSW Waratahs forward Kane Douglas who is now playing rugby for Leinster Ireland.
‘‘And we have several players in this year’s NSW Waratahs squad,’’ Barr said.
‘‘We won’t see much of them, particularly winger and Wallaby player Rob Horne.’’
Former New Zealand Warriors forward Sam Louisi has joined his brother at the Rebels and has also been signed by the NSW Waratahs.
The Rebels kick off their 2015 Shute Shield campaign with a game against Warringah on Saturday, March 21, at Forshaw Rugby Park, Sylvania Waters.
Barr said there are several trials organised before the premiership-kick-off.
‘‘We’re training three nights a week and the players in the squad are working well together,’’ Barr said.
Juniors: Union not sixes and sevens
Rugby Union is experiencing a resurgence at the junior level in St George and Sutherland Shire.
That’s the word from Southern Districts Junior Rugby Union president Brad Devine.
Devine said he was buoyed by the good turnout for their annual player registration day on Saturday at Forshaw Rugby Park.
‘‘We had more than 100 kids come along, which coincides with Southern Districts Rugby Union Club’s annual sevens day,’’ Devine said.
‘‘It’s all part of the festival of rugby and we have several more try rugby days coming up.
‘‘We have five clubs and more than 800 registered players in our competitions this season.’’
He said increased interest started in 2014.
‘‘In recent years rugby at the grass roots level had steadied but last season and this year we are starting to see growth again.’’
Youngsters who turned out on Saturday went through skills clinics run by the NSW Waratahs and also got a close-up look at the Super Rugby Trophy, won by the Waratahs last season.
‘‘They also got to meet the Waratah’s official team mascot Tah Man.
‘‘It’s not everyday kids get to see the trophy and get their photograph taken with it,’’ Devine said.
‘‘We signed 30 new players to the code on Saturday,’’ Devine said.
What do you think about the annual sevens tournament?
