Who would win? Illawarra Cup vs Group 7 All Stars in south coast rugby league showcase

Who would win in a blockbuster matchup of south coast footy talent between the Illawarra Cup all stars and the Group 7 all stars? Check out the matchups and cast your vote.

Kevin Merrigan

4 min read

October 12, 2023 - 3:53PM

News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom

Illawarra Cup vs Group 7 all stars. Who would win?

Local Footy

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Group 7 and the Illawarra Cup are the two pinnacles of local rugby league down the south coast of NSW.

The ten teams of the Group 7 competition spread right down the south coast, starting with the Warilla-South Lake Gorillas in the Illawarra and stretching all the way to the Milton-Ulladulla Bulldogs, one hour and 40 minutes down the highway.

On the other hand, the six teams of the Illawarra Cup are much more concise, with the exception of Caringbah’s De La Salle who are fresh to the competition from 2022.

The two competitions are already crossed over in the women’s game, where the Southern Corridor open’s tackle competition features teams from both competitions going head to head weekly.

For the men though, no such matchups take place, with the only crossover of sorts being when competition stars team up for the Illawarra South Coast Dragons Country Championships team.

We raise the question: what if there was an end of season matchup between the Group 7 all stars and the Illawarra Cup all stars? And more importantly, who would win?

We’ve put together some potential matchups we would love to see in this dream match. Check them out and leave your vote on who would win.

Fullback

Callum Gromek (left) and Justin Jones (right). Pictures: Thomas Lisson, Steve Montgomery

Callum Gromek (Collegians) vs Justin Jones (Warilla-Lake South Gorillas)

Two try-hungry fullbacks who were both instrumental to their sides putting points on the board in 2023.

Former Jersey Flegg player Gromek sealed the Paul McGregor medal for the league’s best player in his maiden Illawarra Cup campaign with 15 tries, including a grand final double.

2022 Country Champs fullback Jones was a shining light in a struggling Warilla side, securing a joint league high of 16 tries in the regular season, the second year in a row he has topped the league.

Other fullback options: Dylan Palmer-Quigg (Western Suburbs), Chaz Jarvis (De La Salle), Adam Quinlan (Nowra-Bomaderry), Braxton Wallace (Shellharbour), Wesley Pring (Gerringong)

Wingers

Sam McCann (top) and Beau Luland (bottom). Picture: Steve Montgomery

Sam McCann (Collegians) vs Beau Luland (Nowra-Bomaderry)

Speaking of try-hungry, these two went over to score more than anyone else in their respective competitions this season.

McCann found the white line a whopping 19 times across the season, using his big frame and sheer power to bustle his way through defensive lines.

Luland was a go-to down the left for the Jets with his blistering pace and finishing ability, ending the year with 17 tries after nabbing one in finals to go clear of Jones.

Other wing options: Lachlan Hurst (Western Suburbs), Joshua Martin (Thirroul), Braydon Rumble Walsh (Nowra-Bomaderry), Ben Weatherall (Stingrays)

Centres

Steven Marsters (left) and Toby Gumley-Quine (right). Pictures: Denis Ivaneza, Gerringong Lions Facebook

Steven Marsters (Thirroul) vs Toby Gumley-Quine (Gerringong)

Both skilful providers and lethal finishers, one from the right and one from the left.

The wrecking-ball approach of Marsters saw him burst over to score nine times this season and has seen him earn a call-up for the Cook Islands in the Pacific Championships.

Gumley-Quine was terrific down the left for the premiership-winning Gerringong with his pace and skilful distribution, leading to him being joint in second place for the Michael Cronin medal.

Other centres options: Tre Fotu (De La Salle), Aaron Gray (Dapto), Hamish Holland (Gerringong), Mitch Simington (Milton-Ulladulla)

Five-eighth

Eli Levido (left) and Emanuel Sultana (right). Pictures: Steve Montgomery, Thomas Lisson

Eli Levido (De La Salle) vs Emanuel Sultana (Shellharbour Sharks)

Two halves of great experience, wisdom and skill who leave their mark on any game they’re a part of.

The instinctive playmaking of Levido steered De La Salle to a maiden minor premiership in the Illawarra Cup, while also providing a point of difference off the tee, taking out most overall points for the regular season.

Sultana, likewise, was a pivotal playmaker for the grand finalist Sharks team, particularly down the right flank where he combined well with the likes of James Ralphs.

Other five-eighth options: Jarrod Boyle (Thirroul), Max Devlin (Collegians), Mark Asquith (Jamberoo), William Heta (Stingrays), Taj Ford (Gerringong)

Halfback

Justin Rodrigues (left) and Clyde Parsons (right). Pictures: Karin Waldock, Nowra-Bomaderry Jets Facebook

Justin Rodrigues (Western Suburbs) vs Clyde Parsons (Nowra-Bomaderry)

Plenty of candidates for the no. 7 jersey, but these two are proven game changers we’d love to see on opposite ends of the field.

Malta international Rodrigues gets better with age, carving it up for Western Suburbs this season and providing countless classy assists through the hands and off the boot.

Parsons is a terrific provider as well, but also a deadly try threat for a halfback, finding the line 15 times this season with his blistering pace and topping the competition’s overall points.

Other halfback options: Tarje Whitford (Thirroul), Max Devlin (Collegians), Cody Roach (Milton-Ulladulla), Isaac Morris (Shellharbour)

Hooker

Jaz Flavell (left) and Nathan Ford (right). Pictures: Steve Montgomery

Jaz Flavell (De La Salle) vs Nathan Ford (Gerringong)

Lots of competition and potential picks for the peak of the spine.

Former NSW Cup Dragon Flavell brings great energy out of hooker and was instrumental to De La’s attacking success this year.

The ever-formidable six-time premiership winner Ford would provide class, experience and plenty of leadership to the Group 7 side, likely taking the captain’s armband.

Other hooker options: Joseph Dickson (Western Suburbs), Viliame Mahe (Corrimal), Colby Smith (Stingrays), Brody Rigg (Shellharbour)

Second row

Levi Pascoe (left) and James Ralphs (right). Pictures: Denis Ivaneza, Thomas Lisson

Levi Pascoe (Western Suburbs) vs James Ralphs (Shellharbour)

Two genuine game changers from the backrow.

Country representative Pascoe was awarded best forward in the competition for 2023 thanks to his tireless defensive work and hole-punching in Devils colours.

Shellharbour captain Ralphs went even better and was awarded the Michael Cronin medal for best player in the competition, with 13 tries and countless big runs down the right edge for the Sharks.

Other second row options: Dylan Lauri (Western Suburbs), Andrew Faddy (De La Salle), Tom Warner (Stingrays), Tyson Simpson (Nowra-Bomaderry)

Prop

Josh Dowel (left) and Josh Starling (right). Pictures: Thomas Lisson, Steve Montgomery

Josh Dowel (Collegians) vs Josh Starling (Shellharbour)

Two of the most devastating prop forwards country footy has to offer running it straight at each other. What could be better?

Country representative Dowel was the standout prop forward of the Illawarra Cup season, destructive through the middle with his hit-ups and post-contact metres.

Former NRL player Starling, who has also played a stint of Illawarra Cup footy with Thirroul, was reborn with Shellharbour in 2023 and a massive contributor to their terrific defensive record.

Other prop forward options: Blake Phillips (Collegians), Luke Chalker (Western Suburbs), Alexander Weir (Gerringong), Jake Kamire (Stingrays)

Lock forward

Jackson Stewart (De La Salle) vs Danny Wedd (Gerringong)

Stewart is a ‘no nonsense’ lock who would be an asset to any side with his workrates and physicality in attack and defence.

Premiership-winning lock forward Wedd is a consistent hard worker for the Lions, regarded as one of the best in the competition for his selfless contributions.