Welcome to The Rogues Rant, an occasional look at all things Rugby.

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A big weekend of Super Rugby this week with the Brumbies at home to the Waratahs, and the Reds away to the Sharks in South Africa. The Brumbies form so far has been good with away wins against the Force and the Hurricanes. After losing to the Reds at home in their first match of the year, they will be very keen to get a win for the home fans against the Waratahs. The Waratahs form has been thrilling and after a bye last week they should be ready to go for this match at Bruce. Always a hard fought grudge match no matter the venue, this game will be no different but on form the Waratahs should win. With the Sharks season traveling very smoothly at the moment the Reds can expect a torrid time in Durbin. It’s hard to see the Reds getting up in this one. My tips this week: Chiefs, Crusaders, Hurricanes, Highlanders, Waratahs, Bulls, Sharks.

From all reports reaching the Rogue the Illawarriors are preparing well for their next tilt at the Caldwell Cup, coming up in three weeks’ time. We are up against the Central West Bulls in the first match at phone number library Country Week for the right to play for the Caldwell Cup, against either Hunter or Central North. There have been many close matches between our two zones over the years and in recent times the Illawarriors have had the upper hand. The boys can expect a spirited welcome from the Bulls in Mudgee after their impressive trial form. I caught an article from a Western NSW paper the other day reporting on the Central West Bulls recent trial against the Queenbeyan Whites. The Bulls ran in 12 tries to one in winning the match and reckon they are right on target to give the Country title a real shake. Do I smell a bit of an ambush awaiting the Illawarriors in Mudgee? You can catch the Illawarriors in action at Campbelltown on March 22 when they play Campbelltown in their final trial before the Country tournament.

Made it out to Ocean Park the other afternoon for JGC matches against Victoria. What an impressive show the Victorians put on. After putting paid to the Challenge from the Illawarra boys on the Friday, they headed off to the Central Coast where they proceeded to register two more wins. Then it was back to Sydney for two more games against Western Sydney which they duly won also, all in the space of three days. They look destined now to finish at the top of the pool in both age groups. They are doing something right down south of the border.

Word filtered out from the ARU recently about the cancellation of the National under 16 Championships for 2014. I reckon this is a good indication that the ARU believe that the Junior Gold Cup Program is the way to go in the future. I think it is too and it’s a must that the Illawarra maintains its presence in the years to come.