Stannard out to prove he's made of the White stuff

[mudskipper]

He lost his ACT Brumbies contract and his professional career is hanging by a thread, but James Stannard refuses to label his move to Canberra a failure.
If anything, the lack of success of his short stint with the Brumbies has made him more determined.

And as strange as it sounds, if the scrumhalf can help the Queanbeyan Whites to their third consecutive premiership tomorrow, Stannard will declare his time in the capital a success.

The Whites will play the Tuggeranong Vikings in the John I Dent Cup grand final at Viking Park tomorrow.

Stannard joined the Brumbies at the end of last year but played just one Super14 game.


http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news...f/1621317.aspx

[travelling_gerry]

Go Chuck!!!

[Burgs]

Very small consolation I know, but I still believe in you Chukka!

A move to Melbourne may well be on the cards...

[mudskipper]

Queanbeyan hoping for a 'chainsaw massacre'
BY CHRIS DUTTON
12/09/2009 10:22:00 AM


No, this isn't the intense climax in a horror movie.
But if Jamie Marmont and his mates get their way, there will definitely be a chainsaw massacre at Viking Park today.

Marmont will lead the Queanbeyan Whites' charge to a third straight John I Dent Cup premiership when they take on the Tuggeranong Vikings in the grand final.

And every time the 21-year-old winger becomes an attacking threat, a deafening roar will rise from the Whites' chainsaw gang.

Marmont's nickname is Chainsaw.

While his frame doesn't suggest he's a lethal force on the field, his mates insist he ''cuts his opponents in half''.

Marmont admits he was a bit nervous when he first saw Jono Murphy, Dan Stanton and Tom Jones waving their chainsaws at last year's grand final. Now he says it's a source of inspiration.

''It gets the blood running now and I know it gets some of the other boys pumped up,'' Marmont said.

''It was the grand final so they [Murphy, Staunton and Jones] thought they would take the chainsaw thing to the next level.

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news...e/1621815.aspx

---------- Post added at 09:29 ---------- Previous post was at 09:23 ----------

Vikings grand final bound

http://www.vikingsrugby.com.au/News/...nal-bound.aspx

The Tuggeranong Vikings have advanced to the John I Dent Cup grand final after producing a season's best performance to shock minor premiers Royals 42-21 in the preliminary final at Viking Park on Saturday.

It was a gut-wrenching result for Royals who lost just one game all season but suffered consecutive finals series defeats to bow out of the competition, continuing the clubs' 18 year premiership drought.

Royals would have been especially disappointed after holding a seven-point lead at half-time, only to watch Tuggeranong run in five tries to one in the second half.

After some scratchy form in the back end of the season, Vikings coach Glen Christini said that the much improved display come largely down to attitude.

"It was all about self belief, we did a video session earlier in the week and even though we hadn't quite put a polished performance on the field we knew we'd been building to it," Christini said.

"For the last three weeks we've put the same side out and that's the first time all year we've been able to do that so it was coming, it was in us, and we just built the self belief all week and then came out and executed which was always on the cards."

Tuggeranong opened the scoring inside the first 10 minutes through fullback Tim Curran but the home side was on the back foot for much of the remainder of the half.

Powerful outside centre AJ Abel levelled the scores in the 19th minute before halfback Tim Ferrari cut through some non-existent goal line defence off the back of a five-metre scrum.

Vikings had the opportunity to narrow the gap just before half-time but inexplicably turned down what appeared a certain three points to go for the try, only to be immediately bundled into touch and trail by seven at the break.

Tuggeranong came out firing to start the second half and a moment of magic from winger Jake Knight after just four minutes turned the match.

Knight showed the pace and skill that saw the slightly built flyer take out the competitions top try scorer award during the regular season to regather his own kick and score in the corner.

When Brumbies fly half Christian Lealiifano nailed an audacious penalty attempt from just inside his own half moments later the momentum had clearly swung in Tuggeranong's favour and the home side took full advantage.

Two tries in five minutes to Pat Toumoua and Ed Stubbs blew the lead out to 13 points with 20 minutes to play before a try to Royals flanker Sokai Tai gave his side a brief glimmer of hope.

There was to be no comeback however, as Stubbs grabbed his second try of the afternoon before Lealiifano was rewarded for his impressive showing, scoring the final try of the match.

Following the win, Christini said that having a player of Lealiifano's calibre going into next weeks grand final was a huge asset.

"He's a special player and just when you need things controlled and executed properly he does it," Christini said.

The first play he slotted into fly half he threw a sweet ball to Stubbs who ran the perfect angle off him and that was always the plan to work things that way in the second half."

Tuggeranong Vikings 42 (E Stubbs 2, T Curran, P Toumoua, J Knight, C Lealiifano; Lealiifano 4/6 Conv, 1/1 Pen, E Wessell's 1/1 Pen) def Royals 21 (AJ Abel, T Ferrari, S Tai; C McMahon 3/3 Conv) at Viking Park on Saturday.


GO THE VIKINGS>>>

---------- Post added at 12:21 ---------- Previous post was at 09:29 ----------

Tooheys New John I Dent Cup Preview: Grand Finals

Friday, 11 September 2009
Brumbies Media Unit

Saturday, 12 September, 2009

Premier Division Grand Finals:

ABC Live Broadcast – Tim Gavel, Marco Caputo and David Pembroke will be broadcasting the Tooheys New John I Dent Cup grand final live on 666 ABC Radio from 3.05pm on Saturday.

ACTTAB Betting – ACTTAB will be framing a market on the 2009 Tooheys New John I Dent Cup grand final. The market will be available from today.
Channelvision Match Commentary – Channelvision will be producing a two camera package of the 2009 Tooheys New John I Dent Cup grand final with full commentary on the game. The Premier Division Grand Finals can be viewed on Channelvision website www.channelvision.com.au. DVD’s of the 2009 Tooheys New John I Dent Cup and other grade grand finals are available to purchase through Channelvision (ph: 6152 6333).

First Grade: 3.15pm
Queanbeyan (2) v Tuggeranong (3) at Viking Park No.1, Wanniassa
Round 6: Queanbeyan 22 defeated Tuggeranong 13 at Viking Park
Round 13: Queanbeyan 25 defeated Tuggeranong 10 at Campese Field

The Queanbeyan Whites will be chasing the club’s second premiership hatrick when they take on the Tuggeranong Vikings in Saturday’s Tooheys New John I Dent Cup grand final at Viking Park.

Whites last won three successive grand finals in 1981-1983 and will be looking to repeat the feat after defeating Gungahlin 33-12 in the 2007 final and accounting for Easts 22-15 in last year’s decider.

The Vikings have qualified for their first grand final since their 39-19 win over Gungahlin in 2006, under the tutelage of coach Glen Christini, who joined the club from the Whites this season after guiding Queanbeyan to their first premierships in 24 years.

While Queanbeyan defeated Tuggeranong in both of their regular season matches this season, the Vikings have been the form side of the finals, eliminating Wests 32-3 in the minor semi final before accounting for minor premiers, Royals, 42-21 last weekend. This is the first time the two sides have met in a grand final.

The Whites welcome back flanker Tim MacNamara from an ankle injury with his inclusion pushing Matt Hirst into the second row. Queanbeyan will again look to convert any points through the boot of flyhalf Johnny Kevin, who finished the regular season as the competition’s top point scorer.

Tuggeranong have made one change to the starting XV that accounted for Royals with blindside flanker Keane Wheeler called into the side in place of Scott Irwin. The Vikings have been well served by CA Brumbies pivot Christian Lealiifano, who has found his place in the side at inside centre. Lealiifano has formed a dangerous midfield combination with the Brumbies Academy’s Ed Stubbs, who crossed for two tries against Royals.

Queanbeyan: 1. Nathaniel Iona, 2. Nik Murray, 3. Adam Hastings, 4. Matt Hirst, 5. Darren Bully, 6. Tim MacNamara, 7. Daniel Penca, 8. Jeremy Dowling, 9. James Stannard, 10. John Kevin, 11. Tyler Stevens, 12. Robbie Coleman, 13. Josh Goodall, 14. Jamie Marmont, 15. Josh Hastings (c)
Tuggeranong: 1. Sione Taula, 2. Pat Toumoua, 3. Michael Noble, 4. Chris Slack, 5. Chris Boon, 6. Keane Wheeler, 7. Colby Faingaa, 8. Marty O’Brien (c), 9. Beau Mokotupu, 10. Jeremy Te Huia, 11. Jake Knight, 12. Christian Lealiifano, 13. Edward Stubbs, 14. Andrew Goodall, 15. Tim Curran
Referee: Brett Bowden


Reserve Grade: 1.40pm
Wests (1) v Royals (2) at Viking Park No.1, Wanniassa
Round 5: Wests 32 defeated Royals 17 at Jamison Oval
Round 12: Royals 17 defeated Wests 11 at Phillip Oval
Major Semi Final: Royals 18 defeated Wests 7 at Viking Park

Having missed out on a First Grade grand final berth, Royals will look to make amends in the Reserve Grade decider against Wests.

The Phillip club has beaten Wests on two occasions this season, with their 18-7 win in the major semi final a fortnight ago allowing them to advance directly to the grand final.

Royals have a number of experienced grand final campaigners, including Phil and Darryl Wihapi, and Henry Stowers, who were all members of the Easts’ First Grade side that went down to Queanbeyan, 22-15, in last year’s final.

Despite their ‘minor premiers’ status, Wests were forced to take the long route to the grand final defeating Uni-Norths, 23-17, last week with in-form scrumhalf Nick White accounting for 18 of his side’s points. The Lions will also look to their rampaging No.8 Sitauti Mailei to get them across the gain line, while veteran flyhalf Matt Sutherland returns for another grand final appearance having been an integral member of the Wests’ First Grade hatrick in 2000-2002.

Royals: 1. Paul Bithell, 2. Brent Owen, 3. Mick Burrows, 4. Larry Stevenson, 5. Damien Abbey, 6. Willie Taufoou, 7. Simon Anau, 8. Will Moala, 9. Phil Wihapi, 10. Ashley Vest, 11. Simon Foscarini, 12. Darryl Wihapi, 13. Andrew Maifelemi, 14. Stu Duncan, 15. Henry Stowers
Wests: 1. 1. Lorenzo Loulanting, 2. Sam Beaumont, 3. Lachie Ferguson, 4. Matt Ryan, 5. Tobi Huho, 6. Alex Guicci, 7. Alex Harrod, 8. Sitauti Mailei, 9. Nic White, 10. Matt Sutherland, 11. Ben Dixon, 12. Luke O’Connor, 13. Alex McNamara, 14. Dan Grace, 15. Simon Uphill
Referee: Sarah Corrigan


Colts: 11.55am
Uni-Norths (1) v Tuggeranong (3) at Viking Park No.1, Wanniassa
Round 4: Uni-Norths 24 defeated Tuggeranong 10 at ANU North
Round 11: Tuggeranong 20 defeated Uni-Norths 10 at Viking Park

Having dropped just two matches through the season, Uni-Norths will be looking to capitalise on a dominant season with a premiership on Saturday.

The side includes a number of players who played regular First Grade football during the year, including lock Dave Bennett, No.8 Michael Killiner, scrumhalf Liam Gallaher and gun fullback Guy Stuckey-Clarke. Former Canberra Grammar student Tom Gilmore has also been in excellent form throughout the season and will control the game at flyhalf.

The students will meet a Vikings side that had their measure during their last encounter, winning the match 20-10. The Vikings have a number of dangerous prospects, including powerful flanker Timi Tapara, wily scrumhalf Kaleb Rech and JP Mynhardt, who was a member of the 2008 ACT Schoolboys side.

Uni-Norths: 1. Jack Brims, 2. Sam Rolfe, 3. Loucas Panayi, 4. Charlie Fairfield-Smith, 5. Sam Brumby, 6. Dave Bennett, 7. Charlie Boyd, 8. Mick Killiner, 9. Liam Gallaher, 10. Tom Gilmore, 11. Corey Hammond, 12. Sam Irwin, 13. Callum Walker, 14. Tasesa Lolatoa, 15. Guy Stuckey-Clarke
Tuggeranong: 1. John Totini, 2. Josh Hitchins, 3. Dale Pulli, 4. Royden Awa, 5. George Uelelea, 6. Timi Tapara, 7. Michael Davies, 8. JP Aualiitia, 9. Kaleb Rech, 10. JD Stephenson, 11. Tom Blencowe, 12. Daniel Aualiitia, 13. JP Mynhardt, 14. Lee Cargill, 15. Craig Wilkinson
Referee: Nathan Kearns


Third Grade 11.50am
Tuggeranong (1) v Uni-Norths (2) Viking Park No.2, Wanniassa
Round 4: Tuggeranong 36 defeated Uni-Norths 24 at ANU North
Round 11: Tuggeranong 29 defeated Uni-Norths 14 at Viking Park
Major Semi Final: Tuggeranong 18 defeated Uni-Norths 13 at Viking Park

Having played bridesmaid on four occasions in the past six years, Tuggeranong will be eyeing off an elusive Third Grade premiership on Saturday.

The Vikings were runners-up to Wests in 2003, 2004, 2006 and 2008 but following the Lions’ exit in the preliminary final, Tuggeranong will be determined to shrug off their apparent grand final curse.

The minor premiership-winning Vikings have pace to burn out wide through the likes of former First Graders John Gibson and Andrew Dickson, while they will receive plenty of muscle up front from No.8 Richard Joyes and flanker Dave Mailau.

The Owls have named a strong pack for the decider with First Grade props Daymien Clydesdale and Kian Bone bookending the students’ front row with flanker Troy Huckstepp looking to continue his impressive year off the side of the scrum. Player/coach Brendan Nerdal will lead the backline at inside centre.

Tuggeranong: 1. Dean Cotterill, 2. Dan Maloney, 3. Heath Hayes, 4. Tam Fraser, 5. Matt Gardner, 6. Grant Lukins, 7. Dave Mailau, 8. Richard Joyes, 9. Gavin Sinclair, 10. Heath Garrett, 11. Lee Culnane, 12. Geoff Kuczerka, 13. Andrew Dickson, 14. John Gibson, 15. Andrew Steele
Uni-Norths: 1. Daymien Clydesdale, 2. Dan Collins, 3. Kian Bone, 4. Wes Malton, 5. Gavin Stephens, 6. Troy Huckstepp, 7. Darcy Ginty, 8. Matt Kay, 9. Rhys Davies, 10. Andrew Buchanan, 11. Alex Turbayne, 12. Brendan Nerdal, 13. Carl Christianson, 14. Eroni Ravororo, 15. Aaron Nielson
Referee: Michael Toirkens


Fourth Grade: 10.15am
Wests (2) v Tuggeranong (3) at Viking Park No.2, Wanniassa
Round 2: Wests 26 defeated Tuggeranong 10 at Aranda Oval
Round 12: Tuggeranong 57 defeated Wests 21 at Viking Park

After losing last year’s Fourth Grade grand final by one point, Wests will look to make amends against Tuggeranong on Sunday.

Having won the previous four consecutive premierships, Wests tasted defeat to the tune of 21-20 against Royals in 2008.

Having shared the results with the Vikings over their two meetings this year, Wests have named the tried-and-true combination of Brad O’Mara and Rae Amosa in the centres.

Meanwhile, the Vikings have named a star-studded forward pack to tackle Wests, featuring Duane Peterson, Colin Montgomery and Anthony Brew, who were all members of the 2006 premiership-winning First Grade side.

Wests: 1. Chris Rigter, 2. Adrian Webb, 3. Noel Fraser, 4. Jack Ryan, 5. Scott Wallace, 6. Cam Mitchell, 7. Marty Dempsey, 8. Paul Dardagan, 9. Alex Vallentine, 10. Aaron Green, 11. Scott Henry, 12. Brad O’Mara, 13. Rae Amosa, 14. Michael McGee, 15. Kena Fissikaile
Tuggeranong: 1. Greg Mico, 2. Duane Peterson, 3. Geoff Adam, 4. Simon Kenny, 5. Anthony Brew, 6. Scott Cook, 7. Colin Montgomery, 8. Alex Maloney, 9. Yuki Yoshida, 10. James Rewi-Wetini, 11. Simon French, 12. Ray Ruaporo, 13. Bryce McNicol, 14. Leon Kessy, 15. Toby O’Brien
Referee: Andrew Crozier


Women: 1.25pm
Uni-Norths (1) v Tuggeranong (2) at Viking Park No.2, Wanniassa
Round 1: Uni-Norths 15 defeated Tuggeranong 5 at ANU North
Round 11: Uni-Norths 22 defeated Tuggeranong 19 at Viking Park
Major Semi Final: Uni-Norths 29 defeated Tuggeranong 12 at Viking Park

Uni-Norths will endeavour to become the only team in the ACT to complete the perfect season in 2009 when they tackle Tuggeranong.

The Owls have not lost a game all season and will take confidence out of their 3-0 advantage over the Vikings, including a 29-12 win in their major semi final two weeks ago.

Uni-Norths will run out a side featuring eight members of the ACT side that contested this year’s National Women’s Championship, including ACT captain Brooke Rowlands.

The Vikings also have five members of that representative side in their starting XV, including fullback Kristy Giteau, who has since represented the Australian Wallaroos against Samoa in their World Cup qualifier.

Uni-Norths: 1. Sharleen Coomber, 2. Skeda Marsh, 3. Kamila Wihongi, 4. Melanie Wade, 5. Mel Ryan, 6. Kathryn Burr 7. Jen Ticehurst, 8. Fiona Williams, 9. Brooke Rowlands, 10. Tegan Meredith, 11. Marianne Zorzi, 12. Kristy Went, 13. Erin Taylor, 14. Lil Reppion, 15. Rachel Fletcher
Tuggeranong: 1. Megan Ayers, 2. Stefanie Stewart-Jones, 3. Laura Edwards, 4. Bridget Dowling, 5. Dee Keed, 6. Katie Newton, 7. Kellie Dunley, 8. Pip Butt, 9. Anna Robson, 10. Carly Hill, 11. George Prasad, 12. Nikki Ayers, 13. Shellie Milward, 14. Fee Daly, 15. Kristy Giteau
Referee: Rohan Nishantha


First Division Grand Finals:

First Grade: 3.00pm
ADFA (1) v Goulburn (2) at Poidevin Oval, Goulburn
Round 5: ADFA 40 defeated Goulburn 24 at Mike Dowsett Field
Round 10: Goulburn 38 defeated ADFA 20 at Mike Dowsett Field
Round 15: ADFA 29 defeated Goulburn 18 at Poidevin Oval
Major Semi Final: Goulburn 41 defeated ADFA 36 at Mike Dowsett Field

Goulburn will be looking to make it three premierships in a row when they face ADFA in their First Divison First Grade grand final on Saturday.

ADFA, a side with an average age of 20, marked their return to the First Division competition this year by taking out the minor premiership, decided in the last week of the competition by their 11-point win over Goulburn.

However, the Dirty Reds wrestled back the ascendancy the following week when they won a straight passage into the grand final, in a high-scoring 41-36 win over the Defence Force Academy.

ADFA earned a re-match through their 41-22 win over Hall and will again look to their strong-running backs to do the damage, after amassing a total of 566 points during the season, the highest of any team in the ACT club competition.

ADFA: 1. A Keft, 2. B Glen, 3. J Manallack, 4. C Mapp, 5. L Clarke, 6. J Burton, 7. D O’Brien, 8. T Rue, 9. G Young, 10. C Mead, 11. A Iconomou, 12. M Picker, 13. M Jones, 14. J Abbot, 15. L Ebneter
Goulburn: 1. Dave Anable, 2. Ben Pearson, 3. Aaron Wild, 4. Boyd Newby, 5. Jason Krember, 6. Mick Goggan, 7. Ben Moore, 8. Toby White, 9. Aiden Greaves, 10. Jeff Caldwell, 11. Nathan Stewart, 12. Mick Webber, 13. Dean Thompson, 14. Joel McPherson, 15. Rob Sheekey
Referee: Damien McLachlan


Second Grade: 1.15pm
Royals (1) v Hall (3) at Poidevin Oval, Goulburn
Round 1: Hall 31 def Royals 24 at Phillip Oval
Round 6: Royals 36 def Hall 8 at Hall Oval
Round 11: Royals 28 def Hall 7 at Phillip Oval

With one Second Grade loss in two years, Royals will be keen to transfer their impressive season into a premiership on Saturday.

Royals were the runaway minor premiers and accounted for ADFA in their major semi final winning 26-7.

The Phillip side will look to club legends Matt and Stu Henry as one of three sets of brothers in the squad, along with Darren and Peter Goodwin, and Andrew and Chris Rouse.

Hall won through to the grand final after defeating ADFA 31-21 in last weekend’s preliminary final.

Royals: 1. Tim Barber, 2. Mark Casey, 3. Kieran Curnow, 4. Paul Driver, 5. Matt Ellwood, 6. Chris Ferris, 7. Jerome Freestone, 8. Darren Goodwin, 9. Peter Goodwin, 10. Matt Henry, 11. Stu Henry, 12. Mick Lang, 13. Dan Meany, 14. Brian Paule, 15. John Peri
Hall: 1. Steve Partridge, 2. Jason Byron, 3. Fimi Kivalu, 4. Shaun Muller, 5. Christian Sorensen, 6. Andy Kurec, 7. Andy Dunbar, 8. Erik Scholte, 9. Antony Hewitt, 10. Allan O’Ryan, 11. Duncan Clarke, 12. Leo Sione, 13. Craig Scott, 14. Chris Baiskelia, 15. Christian Kinnane
Referee: David Kimber



http://www.brumbies.com.au/act.rugby/page/56799

[laura]

He really has been screwed over at every opportunity in Super 14...he comes over here and we bring back CO'Y then he goes to Canberra and the buy Valentine at the first opportunity.
Hopefully winning today will be of some consolation and get him a contract with the Melbourne team.

[normie]

Ditto, Laura totally agree. He deserves a much better hand than what he has been dealt. Hopefully it will all work out in Chucks favour ultimately, with a lucrative contract with Melbourne.

[shasta]

When he's finished his commitments in NSW Paly can bring him back for the rest of the finals. Seems the rules are being made up on the run over this way so they should get away with it.

[Endurance]

they lost by an injury time conversion from christian lealiifano

[jargan83]

He really has been screwed over at every opportunity in Super 14...

Thats Professional Sport, you cut the mustard or you get the sack

[mudskipper]

but he is still out there having a go and will surely get another shot...

[almac]

Maybe hes JUST not good enough.....!!!!

[jargan83]

When he's finished his commitments in NSW Paly can bring him back for the rest of the finals. Seems the rules are being made up on the run over this way so they should get away with it.

Didn't Stannard do a runner on Paly and go to Uni?? (or something along those lines)

[shasta]

Didn't Stannard do a runner on Paly and go to Uni?? (or something along those lines)

Yeah but he played as many games for Paly this season as Brownie did for Cott.

[fulvio sammut]

He did what he had to do.

Palmyra will do what it has to do.

[jargan83]

Yeah but he played as many games for Paly this season as Brownie did for Cott.

Difference being Cottesloe is apparently Brown's nominated club as Paly wouldn't be Stannards Club as he was last registered with Uni