TURUFC - Uni Rugby Tas: Pre match report: UNI v Glenorchy at Lower Campus Ground (The George Wilson Memorial Ground)

Pre Match report:

Information to hand indicates the game against Glenorchy at Uni will be a test for our youthful Tas Uni first grade side. Last week's energy will need to be replicated, plus some extra from the source of light and goodness.

The rains were predicted and would not have served us well, however at 8.50am on match day, the sun is bright, the only cloud is that of the Bridgewater Jerry - generated at the home of our foe for the day, and which has drifted down the River Derwent to dissipate before it can cloud our judgment. Cold: yes, but that debilitates both teams at start - until the blood gets running.

Uni have a revamped second row. Coach Jensen (from the film noir genre of Scandanavia) explained it thus:

'with a surfeit of young and enthusiastic mindful players, we must share the load. Time to explore, see how a few changes might make the difference. I'm very confident with the hot back row, and hope we will get an extra kilo of power today in the heart of the scrum'.

Aware that Glenorchy defeated Taroona a couple of weeks ago, and they the putative ladder leaders, Jenson pontificates that this will be their 'turnaround and go home' match.

Remi Parsons takes the paddock today on the wing. We are hoping for some spin to him and a hatful of tries. He has the speed, and has been keenly awaiting the call up.

Remi, to some known as the son o Matt "Stumps" Parsons, latterly of Singapore, has been pursuing education at his leisure as our Uni. But as we know, education isn't just knowledge and information, it is the humanity of sport too. Or something like that.

With the results of the first 5 matches of the (late start) season on the table, this being the last game of the round, Uni must get their ratio up - and the best way is a win, although losses by ladder leaders will help, more to the point is Nick Dunstan's comment: 'a win now and then is good for you'.

With a good result Uni will be in the 4. Best place to be in a short season.

When last we played Norchy at our home under Coach Jensen, it was the tumultuous Year 2000 Bug, and we thrashed them 40 - zero. Unlike the Americans, we reserve "Z" for appropriate words and appropriate is beating Glenorchy to "ZERO".

The undignified comment from the opponent team coach in our clubrooms as they found difficulty eating humble pie, was that it 'was going to taste like shit' [expletives deleted].

So, see you on the side of the paddock.

Game starts at 3pm today. BBQ and refreshments will be working from 1.30pm.

A few graphics from the Archive:

Norm Westbrook was in the founding team in 1933. I sought out his recollection in 1993, and he said then "I can see into the future, Uni will play Glenorchy in 2020 at home, and will defeat them with a zero scoreline to the visitors". Let's see Nostradamus

Below: former coach of both University and Glenorchy, Dr Richard Buttfield, at Rugby Park one winter in the 1970s. Dick took Uni to the 1978 grand final victory over the black foe

Below: Remi's Dad the said Matt "Stumps" Parsons, about the same age as his son, ready to take the field at Uni in the 1980s

A strong team from the era. Fast strong backs. Heavy and uncompromising forwards. Some element of madness (not quite insanity) but close to it

Victorious tema of the era; 1989 Senior State Premiers

World Cup Wallabies Captain Nick Farr Jones was in Hobart around that time, and popped into the RACT Club where one Friday we were having lunch. Nick was launching his book, and is pictures here signing for Knuckles and Kube

The World Cup came to Rugby Park; Sawyer, President Oxley, Greg Hill, Aris Pafitis and Peter Fitzsimons line up to undo the glass case, fill it with beer and drink deep from the cup

Referees of the day

A youthful guinness drinker at Rugby Park, guest and then ABC Rugby and other sports commentator, Gordon Bray - a great friend of Tasmanian Rugby

Topo Rodrieguez of the Argentinian National Rugby Team, and then of the Wallabies, guest speaker at Rugby Park, describing how he was front row against England at Twickenham the day after Thatcher announced she wanted to get re-elected so started a war with the Argies. He said 'they were after blood'.

Topo had lunch at the Astor Grill that day, and was guest speaker at Rugby Park. He found Ross Le Bris and Tony Hale were interrupting him a bit, so he dragged them up front so he could box their ears directly

August is not always heralding in the springtime. Franklin Square

Our Uni Rugby friend now resident in Qld, Michael Atkins, renowned for fathering the Atkins in the Western Force. And, oh yes, playing for Tas Uni, and wearing the red colours all over Europe, and NSW, QLD.