Garrick and Boyce’s “Heart of Oak” is the official march of the Royal Navy, the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal New Zealand Navy so in the middle of the sixth Commonwealth Navies Rugby Cup the oak theme is very relevant. This week though, before looking at the RN v Aussie game, the Navy U23s will be opening their 2012 Inter Service season at Chichester.
Royal Navy Under 23s – The Exciting Future of Navy Rugby
For me the 2008 Army Navy match will be mainly remembered by the calm and assured display of Wayne Dugan at fullback. Sadly for Wayne subsequent injury meant that his second cap, his first outing at Twickenham, was his last match in the famous Navy jersey. His performance that day caused much debate, where had he come from.
The answer was well known to those who had stood on the Burnaby Rd touchline in the 07 Autumn and watched the Navy U23 Inter Service championship winning team develop. Under the careful tutelage of Cox and Salmon, both future Senior XV coaches a group of players were transformed in to a winning team. Dugan and captain Wayne John went on to win their Senior caps that year and others could have and perhaps should have. Few will forget the heroical defencive performance of Herbie and Wells in the back row when victory was achieved over the Army. Regrettably Herbie returned to South Africa and Ryan Wells’ operational commitments probably cost him the coveted ‘cap’.
The path is a well todden one. When the Navy won their last Inter Service championship [in 2010] four of the new caps that season were U23s – Dale Sleeman (now regarded as a senior player), Dennis Scotthorne (captained the U23s to a second IS championship in 4 years also in 2010), Jonny Stephen and Will Cairns had all become Senior navy players but none of them were new faces.
Last season the RN U23 v Chichester match was an absolute corker. Kye Beasley, capped later that year in France and currently in Australia, captained the side from the second row! Alongside him was a feisty scrum half who later that season ran on to the Twickenham turf to become the Navy’s 700th and latest capped player. This year the coaching team will have their work cut out because a number of their players are away with the CNRC but even without Sam Winfield, Josh Terry, Dan Richardson, Tyler Smart, John Clay, Nick Bell, Josh Blackburn and Tom Davies, Wednesday night is sure to be two things. First a cracking game of rugby and second the first opportunity to see a future star of Navy Rugby – there is sure to be on the pitch.
Chichester v Royal Navy U23 @ Chichester RFC, Wednesday 10 October KO 19:30
What If…………
Understandably little information about injuries coming North from Sydney but with Dale Sleeman coming of injured (presumed) and with a four day turn-a-round until Thursday’s match there may well be the need to rejig the back line. The tour party includes ten dedicated backs plus Seti Raumakita who has top flight centre experience. On Sunday it was clear that the key components of the back line functioned well so if Dale doesn’t make the team it may well be a case of minimum disruption. The key player? It could be young Tom Davies.
Two seasons ago Tom was at flyhalf when the U23s lifted the Inter Services and his display away at Aldershot was particularly assured. At unit level on board HMS Liverpool he was part of one of the most potent ship based backlines seen for a long time when he paired up with senior caps Dane Smallbone and Wayne ‘Cowboy’ John. For Liverpool he usually operated in quite a free role either at full back or centre. And this summer he produced a number of accomplished performances in the Sharks colours when he often operated as their play maker. The Sevens experience certainly brought him on especially in terms of how he defends an exposed channel.
Bringing Tom in one place from 13 would certainly give the Navy a solid 9 – 10 – 12 axis and then it would just leave the interesting headache / conundrum of a back four combination. Greg Wellings played centre for the U23s but was also a considerable handful on the left wing against the Kiwis. Jon Humphrey has experience at 10, 13 and 15 so allows for considerable flexibility in approach. Keeping Jon at fullback could lead to starting Josh Blackburn at 13. Or there again will they take an outside bet and bring Nick Bell in to his first match in the Senior shirt at 10 and move Nathan Huntley out to the centres where he played last season when Tom Glover started at 10. The team selection later this week will make interesting reading – unless of course Dale passes his fitness test!
Royal Navy to Play the Aussies Twice in 16 Days
The final match of the CNRC 2012 is currently the headline act. Can the Royal Navy make it three from three on Australian soil? A win or a draw retains the cup. A loss well then the permutations start. However later in the month the Royal Navy Women start their 2012/2013 season with their own International against the touring Australian Defence Force Women’s team.
The match is on Saturday 27 October at Burnaby Road with a 14:00 kick off. The Navy’s Women’s team continue to make significant strides each season and I am sure they would welcome as much support as possible – so entries in diaries please.
Royal Navy Caps and Colours
I have finally managed to get around to finishing this piece of work and have now published my list of all the Navy players who have been capped (men and women) along with the referees who have one their colours. To go direct to the page click here.
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