Emu pains: Penrith appeal for help after conceding 326 points
If you think things are tough at your local club any time, spare a thought for the Emu's the other week :verysad:
For the sake of Australian Rugby let's hope Penrith and Western Sydney get the suport they need and deserve.
Emu pains: Penrith appeal for help after conceding 326 points
Daniel Lane
Sunday, June 3, 2007
THE Penrith Emus have used their embarrassing afternoon yesterday against Parramatta, in which they conceded 326 points and scored just 10 in reply, to appeal for help.
The four grades had a total of 54 tries scored against them as the first XV lost 43-0, seconds 75-10, thirds 100-0 and fourths 108-0.
Coach Ian Moyes conceded the Emus were already under pressure, with rival clubs pushing for them to be dropped from the competition, but he urged rugby's powerbrokers to provide his club with support.
Despite their lopsided losses to Parramatta at Two Blues Park, Moyes said Sydney's far west was a potential goldmine of rugby talent but warned it would become a wasteland unless serious action was taken soon. He was disappointed there hadn't been much support from the game's hierarchy in the 12 years Penrith had played in the first division competition.
"I've told [NSW coach] Ewen McKenzie there is a Waratah a year out here," Moyes said.
"I've long said Penrith is a rugby-hostile territory, but Parramatta has been seen for a long time to be a rugby league stronghold. We played at their home ground today and there's a strong rugby culture there. Penrith could be the same.
"The fact we haven't been able to get a foothold out here is a disgrace."
The Emus' biggest problem this year has been a shortage of players. However, Moyes said the fact no grade had forfeited a game this season reflected the pride the players have in the club's jumper.
"Blokes just back up," he said. "We are trying. The other week we scored four tries in the first half against Randwick, so there is potential . . . We just need some help."
