Highlanders Poised For Fling With Glory
Sun Herald
Sunday August 10, 2003
GORDON 45
SOUTHERN DISTRICTS 17
IT is rare for the general manager of a football club to be the backline general of his first-grade team as well, but former eight-Test Wallaby Mitch Hardy played the role admirably yesterday.
The 32-year-old utility back capitalised on the home ground errors of Southern Districts behind his impressive young Gordon pack, and with five-eighth Dan Walters organised Gordon's attacks shrewdly in the seven-tries-to-two and 45-17 win at Forshaw Park.
During the 1990s, the Gordon Highlanders were one of the powers of Sydney rugby with three Shute Shield premierships, and despite their lowly position this year, perhaps they are on the way to becoming a force again.
Waratahs coaching staff member Steve Tuynman was at Forshaw Park and if he left with one important memory it was of the powerful performance of Gordon's young front row, tight-head Adam Hill, hooker Alan Manning and loose-head Adam Walsh.
Manning was player-of-the-match and has already been a member of the Australian under-21 World Cup squad, offering the mobility and strength of an additional backrower. Halfback John Slater has been an infrequent first grader this winter, but he provided an excellent service to five-eighth Walters, one of Sydney's wanderers, having previously played first grade with Manly and Northern Suburbs.
Walters kept a cool head and provided a nicely varied service as well as capitalising on his strong kicks to relieve pressure for Gordon. Hardy was chosen at fullback, but played outside-centre yesterday, saying after the game: ``We were overdue for that one. Finally, we're putting it together. We scored some good tries in the first half.
``Our scrum was sensational. Our front row is getting better and better every week, playing together as a combination." But Hardy's future as a first grader is limited. He sees this as his last season because of his new position as general manager of Gordon rugby club.
``It's hard being general manager and playing first grade. Obviously, there is a conflict of interests, involved in coaching, selections, recruiting and selection of players," he said.
``It's probably best if I don't play next year, but saying that I might get roped into playing some lower-grade games." Gordon kicked off with the advantage of the southerly wind at their backs, but nobody could have anticipated it would provide a six-try advantage by half-time.
Influenza had caused havoc with Southern, the club losing second-rower Tim Copper, breakaway Bill Ratu and winger Nick Reilly during the week. But at least the Rebels had the satisfaction of seeing hooker James McCormack run on again after a back injury and former Waratahs halfback Tim Rapp returning in reserve grade after a six-week absence with a disc injury.
McCormack told Southern at the warm-up: ``It takes aggression and hostility to win these games. We're not out there to hold hands with them." At times, the Rebels' tackling suggested it was the first cousin to hopscotch. Coach John Ross said: ``Words are cheap. Make it actions." Sadly, they ignored his instructions.
GORDON 45 (D Byrne 2, J Murphy, M Hardy, V Napa'a, A Harris, A Hill tries; D Walters 5 goals) beat SOUTHERN DISTRICTS 17 (R Macdougall, D Prince tries; G Bowmer 2 goals pen goal)
© 2003 Sun Herald
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