Katherine Rucking Roos forced to withdraw from semi finals of Darwin Rugby Union competition

A Northern Territory rugby union team has been forced to sensationally forfeit its upcoming semi final. Read the circumstances at the club.

The Katherine Rucking Roos have pulled out from the B-Grade Darwin Rugby Union semi-finals. Picture: From The Sideline Sports Photography

Katherine has forfeited its spot in the Darwin Rugby Union competition’s B-Grade semi-finals due to player retention and travel issues.

The Rucking Roos make the six hour round trip from Katherine and back each week of the competition, but particularly late in the season have faced issues.

After 15 rounds they forfeited two matches, against Darwin Dragons in Round 10 and University Pirates in Round 15, which would have required them to make the trip into Darwin.

They were also handed forfeit wins when Palmerston and Casuarina were scheduled to play in Katherine in Rounds 11 and 13.

Despite missing games they still qualified fourth in the seven team competition with six wins and six losses and a +24 point difference, and were set to play Swampdogs in the minor semi-final.

However, they have since indicated they would be unable to take part in the finals series, all based at Skyring Park in Marrara, due to lack of players and difficulty in securing transport.

Katherine Rucking Roos during their Round 8 clash with the Palmy Crocs. Picture: From The Sideline Sports Photography.

NT Rugby caretaker chief executive Matt Kaye said the league would have loved for the Roos to be taking part, but acknowledged the challenges the club had faced.

“Naturally we would have loved Katherine to have taken part and are disappointed for both them and Swampdogs,” he said.

“It’s been a challenging year for the Roos with regards to player retention and travel.

“NT Rugby is committed to delivering a sustainable competition model in which Katherine can participate and we will continue working with the club to ensure scenarios such as this are not repeated in future season.

“All other semi-final fixtures will proceed as scheduled.”

As a result reigning premiers Swampdogs, who finished the home and away season in third, will automatically progress to the preliminary final.

They will play the loser of the major semi-final between the Casuarina Cougars and the South Darwin Rabbitohs for a shot at making it to the grand final.

Originally published as Katherine Rucking Roos forced to withdraw from semi finals of Darwin Rugby Union competition