Rugby Australia announced last week that all rugby competitions are postponed until May 2, meaning the Drovers’ SIRU season will have to wait.
While disappointed his side will have to wait to play, Marshall said the club will follow all recommendations and regulations in order to keep everyone safe during the Coronavirus pandemic.
‘‘Like other sporting codes, RugbyAU announced on March 16 that all rugby matches, training and face-to-face rugby education courses would be postponed until the first week of May,’’ he said.
‘‘For our club, player and community, safety is paramount and while the restrictions are in place, individual players should, as much as possible, maintain their own fitness programs.
‘‘It’s vital for our players’ safety that they have adequate time for training and preparation prior to the commencement of the season.
‘‘We’ll continue to adhere to the advice from RugbyAU and appropriate Government Agencies, and provide updates to our players and supporters though the Rugby Xplorer app.’’
The 2020 season was set to bring some major changes for Deniliquin's rugby side.
The Drovers will step up to the second grade this year, competing for the SIRU Romano’s Cup.
Another change that will be implemented is the Drovers’ draw.
They will now be following rival side Hay’s draw with the Cutters stepping up to first grade this season.
Hay have also made a massive step up, moving from third grade to first grade and are now competing in the SIRU Walsh & Blair Cup competition.
Both clubs competed previously in the SIRU McMullen Cup (third grade) as stand alone one-team town clubs, with Hay following Leeton’s draw and Deniliquin following Albury’s.
‘‘Our club had already intended to request a promotion to second grade, and we submitted a joint application with Hay for consideration to the Southern Inland Rugby Union board in late 2019,’’ Marshall said.
‘‘As a part of that submission, we requested some of the stronger (Wagga) clubs be split and bring their first and second grade teams to Hay and Deniliquin respectively.
‘‘We also proposed that other clubs bring all grades (men and women) to either Deniliquin and Hay where there’d be three matches at the same ground.
‘‘This means giving up two home games, though we believe this is compensated by the larger crowds we’ll attract when we host Hay’s matches here.
‘‘Southern Inland Rugby Union were very supportive of this, as were those impacted clubs.
‘‘We (Deniliquin and Hay) will both remain independent from each other however.’’
Hay moving up to first grade has opened up opportunities for Deniliquin’s female rugby players, with the Cutters officially entering a women’s side.
Marshall said Hay have invited former Drovers ladies to join the club.
‘‘Hay are entering a women’s team in 2020 and this required the Cutters to promote their men’s team from third to first grade, so that’s why that decision was made by Hay,’’ he said.
‘‘There are indications that some of our former female players who have played rugby intend to accept an invitation to train and to play with the Hay Cutlets women’s team.
‘‘Hopefully we can get this season up and running later this year so we can see how all these changes pan out for the club.
‘‘The chance for our boys to consistently play really good teams every week will be a great opportunity.’’
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