THE 2021 Group Seven Rugby League draw has changed once again following the recent postponement of this season's Indigenous All Stars fixture.
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Originally slated for the weekend of July 3-4, Group Seven has decided to push back this year's Indigenous All-Stars clash to February next year and run prior to the season as it has done in the past.
"In consultation with many clubs, it was debatable that we would have the genuine All Stars clash that we were striving for," said Group Seven president Scott McLaurin, who also confirmed the format of the match would change from under 23s to open age in 2022.
"Availability of players was not guaranteed and as such, the group didn't want to compromise an event that we want as a showpiece of our competition.
"We have decided to plan it for early February where we'll make it a real trial game for the representative side, which will also help encourage the best players in the competition to make themselves available."
As such, that weekend will now feature the washed-out round four fixtures - which were originally shifted to August 28-29, therefore forcing the whole competition back one week.
On Saturday, July 3, Shellharbour will host Kiama and Gerringong plays Jamberoo in a top of the table clash.
The next day, Nowra-Bomaderry takes on Albion Park-Oak Flats at Rugby Park and Warilla-Lake South locks horns with Milton-Ulladulla - with Stingrays having the bye.
Assuming there is no more wash-out rounds, the home and away season will now wrap up on August 22 before the four-week finals series kicks off the following weekend.
The last weekend in August will now see the qualifying finals (first, reserves and under 18s) and semi-finals (third grade and women's league tag one and two) take place across numerous South Coast venues.
The latter's grand final day is now scheduled for Sunday, September 12, with the first and reserve grades, as well as under 18s, decider set to be held one week later on Sunday, September 19 - with the venues for both days still being discussed by Group Seven.
In other news, Superoos and Jets game, postponed due to COVID-19 concerns, will now be played on Wednesday, July 12 at Kevin Walsh Oval from 7pm.
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Courtney Ward
Sports Journalist for South Coast Register and Milton-Ulladulla Times, who loves all things sport and travel. All views are my own.
Sports Journalist for South Coast Register and Milton-Ulladulla Times, who loves all things sport and travel. All views are my own.
