If i'm being completely honest I do not believe Villa will beat MCA, it will either go down to the wire or an Ashgrove towelling which has been an occurring theme in seasons gone by. However, a last round cracker against Lauries will determine if Villanova will be genuine premiership contenders next year. The year 12's of 2020 is a very strong age group between (Villa, Lauries, MCA) which has been shown in previous years. Suggesting that the Round 7 clash between Villa and Lauries will be such a vital test, giving confidence going into next years AIC season. Can Villa or Lauries stop the AIC wrecking ball that is Ashgrove?
AIC Rugby 2019
- Thread starter RugbyReg
- Start date
DominosPizza
Bob McCowan (2)
Torpedo Punt
Herbert Moran (7)
A couple of things...the Ash 15 was off balance and off his feet, it was a great hit and the ash 15 went spinning through the air like a frisky. Don't get me wrong he is incredibly gifted player but it was fair play it happened right in front of me.
Point 2 SLC fought to the bitter end.
Point 3 I hope villa beat Ash....did I really say that ?
...only so we can grab a slice of the pie once we finalise with a win over them.
Point 2 SLC fought to the bitter end.
Point 3 I hope villa beat Ash....did I really say that ?
...only so we can grab a slice of the pie once we finalise with a win over them.
Torpedo Punt
Herbert Moran (7)
No not frisky...frisby
Galloper
Darby Loudon (17)
Good input there Vik, your posts have always contained sensible and balanced comments on Villa rugby, and it's been good for the AIC competition to see the gradual improvement of Villa's First XV's over the past few years.
In relation to this year's Villa First XV, are you able to post a team list identifying those boys returning next year?
I certainly agree that 2020 should see MCA, Villa and SLC fighting out the First XV competition but it's probably important to note that MCA will play both rivals at home next year, which will help.
MCA should have 6 boys backing up in the Firsts next year, including in particular Floyd Aubrey, who would be a contender for the best player in this year's competition, and Nick Baker. Their pack will be big, the backs will be sharp so they'll be very hard to beat, particularly at home.
As for the Villa v MCA game this year being a high scoring affair, MCA have not yet conceded a point and as they play SEC this week will probably come into the Villa game with a clean slate.
Villa do appear to have some attacking firepower though, Muir at 15 is obviously very sharp but I think they'll have to win the collisions in both the back row and midfield to get enough tries (at least 2-3) to beat Ash.
Vik
Chris McKivat (8)
Returning for Villa next year
1. Harris
3. Santos
7. McKee
6. Cox
12. Ries
13. Godwin
14. Donoghue
15. Muir
Sorry it’s 8 not 9
Re Villa having the firepower to score against ASH - you may be right , but Villa are lethal in broken play and counterattack. If Ash don’t find the line on their exits out of the 22 they had better come up in one line or tries will be scored against them. I just think it will come down to headspace of the players. If Villa skip away to a try or two early they will grow an extra leg and then it will be on. Ash will find it hard to go wide against a defence that will be in their backline. If ASH get away or keep it scoreless for the first half I don’t think Villa will catch them. But they came back strong against SLC (yes I know only a trial) so they can do it - I just don’t think they will. Ashgrove premiership party venue should be booked now methinks.
D'Lite Full
Bill Watson (15)
Let's not get too far ahead of ourselves...
Villa has to beat SPLC away and Ashgrove has to beat Eddies at home first. I am not tipping either to be an upset but Peters always play well at home so Villa will want to make sure they're not thinking about MCA.
Padua at home to Lauries this week and with SLC on a big downer, I give the PC boys a small hope. Two big packs will make it intriguing to see who cracks first.
Villa has to beat SPLC away and Ashgrove has to beat Eddies at home first. I am not tipping either to be an upset but Peters always play well at home so Villa will want to make sure they're not thinking about MCA.
Padua at home to Lauries this week and with SLC on a big downer, I give the PC boys a small hope. Two big packs will make it intriguing to see who cracks first.
Vik
Chris McKivat (8)
Having said the above - Villa, no matter whether they roll ASH or not, could suffer against Pats as they will use a ton of mental energy and grounding them and refocusing them will be difficult - they could be ripe for Pats to knock off a sore and sorry Villa post MCA match. Even before they get to Laurie’s.
Vik
Chris McKivat (8)
Yes that is true - Villa must turn up against Peters first - and if the boys are just thinking MCA they could get ambushed
Garry Owens
Alan Cameron (40)
A shout out to one of the AIC/TAS's best ever .........SLC's - Cooper Cronk , who announced his retirement today.
The word legend gets thrown around a lot but this guy wears that tag with ease.
Interestingly , the SLC Sports Master at the end of CC's time as a Schoolboy , enquired of the Reds as to their interest and were told "oh yeah we've seen him and don't think he'll have a professional career"
Rejected by Rugby , he decided to stick with League and slogged his way through Norths for a fair period ( 60 odd games I think ) before the Storm decided to bring him down - but it has been reported that Rugby was his preference
The rest is history as they say.
A great story of perseverance of a very talented ( and good ) bloke that took him a little bit longer to get there and worked his ass off in the process to give himself every chance
The word legend gets thrown around a lot but this guy wears that tag with ease.
Interestingly , the SLC Sports Master at the end of CC's time as a Schoolboy , enquired of the Reds as to their interest and were told "oh yeah we've seen him and don't think he'll have a professional career"
Rejected by Rugby , he decided to stick with League and slogged his way through Norths for a fair period ( 60 odd games I think ) before the Storm decided to bring him down - but it has been reported that Rugby was his preference
The rest is history as they say.
A great story of perseverance of a very talented ( and good ) bloke that took him a little bit longer to get there and worked his ass off in the process to give himself every chance
R
RuggerFan1
Guest
Can someone inform me about the league situation? is it likely to get ahold?
pundit
Herbert Moran (7)
It’s officially being trialed in Term 3. One team per year level from my understanding. It will be interesting to see how it goes.
Torpedo Punt
Herbert Moran (7)
Can someone inform me about the league situation? is it likely to get ahold?[/quote]
Yep, Big Time
1. thats where the money is, 16 possible employers vs sitting in a convoluted rugby academy.
2. rugby is so GPS centred ... who is prepared to risk not getting seen so if someone gets an offer ( say Lavin, SLC 3 years ago when in Grade 10 to go to Titans...turned out to be a good move since injured for most of senior year.. ) how can they not take it when they know RU scouts are really only at GPS games. Wheras you can bet the RL scouts will be very very interested in how alot of these guys go with the "front on" game of RL
Yep, Big Time
1. thats where the money is, 16 possible employers vs sitting in a convoluted rugby academy.
2. rugby is so GPS centred ... who is prepared to risk not getting seen so if someone gets an offer ( say Lavin, SLC 3 years ago when in Grade 10 to go to Titans...turned out to be a good move since injured for most of senior year.. ) how can they not take it when they know RU scouts are really only at GPS games. Wheras you can bet the RL scouts will be very very interested in how alot of these guys go with the "front on" game of RL
Garry Owens
Alan Cameron (40)
Not true . Rugby has done a big 180 in the last 18 months to become more affirmative action based than SA Rugby
The new emerging trend is diversity for illustrative purposes - and it’s going to cost the game plenty
The new emerging trend is diversity for illustrative purposes - and it’s going to cost the game plenty
That is pretty poor form to suggest Lauries gave up. They defended for most of the second half and conceded only 1 try which came from their own mistake inside their 22. That was due to some excellent pressure by Ashgrove. This was a fine game to watch and you clearly were not there given your comments. It was very physical and willing and both sides gave it their all right to the end. Ashgrove is a very well drilled and coached side. Poor to suggest Lauries gave up.
On another note, it was a fantastic day with a massive crowd on hand. There was the Lauries v Ashgrove Old Boy touch match (ended 1-1) and a Past First XV teams function between the 2 Colleges which included numerous Australian and State players dating back to 1949. It was a great advert for AIC rugby and the history that exists between the two Colleges.
Confucius Say
Nev Cottrell (35)
Villa by 30
Iona by 12
Padua by 7
MCA by 100
Iona by 12
Padua by 7
MCA by 100
Confucius Say
Nev Cottrell (35)
All of the Saint team to go down