NSW Waratahs v ACT Brumbies trial in Bowral falls foul of COVID restrictions

Southern Highlands rugby fans have been robbed of the chance to see the Waratahs play live after coronavirus cruelled their chance to play in Bowral.

Solomone Kata, of the Brumbies, is tackled during the round eight Super Rugby match against the Waratahs last season.

The need to cut Super Rugby trial games to one per team during the pandemic has forced the cancellation of the first-ever Waratahs trial match in Bowral.

The trial match against the ACT Brumbies had been planned for January 30.

NSW Rugby boss Paul Doorn said as part of a new risk mitigation plan, Super Rugby teams and Rugby Australia have agreed to reduce the number of trial games ahead of the season opener.

James Ramm is tackled by Pete Samu of the Brumbies during Super Rugby.

The Bowral match was a casualty of the new policy with the Waratahs to now play their only trial against the Queensland Reds in Narrabri on February 5.

Luckily for rugby fans, there are still plans in place for the Tahs organisation to return to the Southern Highlands to deliver coaching and development opportunities in 2021.

“Our plan will be to return to Bowral through 2021 to deliver coaching clinics, courses, development opportunities and more,’’ Doorn said.

The Tahs will play just one trial match.

Border restrictions and closures due to the pandemic continue to play havoc with the sport with the Waratahs currently training in a “bubble’’.

“We had hoped the COVID-19 situation would have taken a different route by the end of the month but we felt it important to provide plenty of notice to our members and fans, and in particular the Southern Highlands rugby community who have been so accommodating,” Doorn said.

“I’d like to acknowledge the support from the Bowral Blacks Rugby Club, who up to this point have gone above and beyond in working with us to try and make this event possible.’’

Doorn said the match was organised in Bowral as his organisation is keen to engage with fans outside Sydney and to promote the sport in these areas.

“We take every opportunity to go to regional areas when we can,’’ Doorn said.

Doorn said there was a strong connection between the Waratahs and Bowral with former Tah Steve Talbot now a club coach at the Bowral Blacks Rugby Club.

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