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NSW AAGPS 2020

Joker

Greg Davis (50)
Well said INP. Unfortunately for us as traditional GPS rugby fans in general, there are more options than ever for winter sport which has a diluting effect on the strength of rugby numbers. The AFL and soccer teams seem to grow at our schools which is a concern, the AFL in particular has been aggressive in building their school market.

School rugby depth does directly impact the effect on a successful rugby program and helps feed a successful culture.

Personal opinion is that larger boarding numbers help school rugby numbers, as the boys are always looking for an excuse to play some form or rugby outside with their mates. Keeps them sharp, helps with fitness, skills and familiarity of how member's of their team will interact on Saturday.

This is why Scots are doing their best to keep AFL out.

They know that if AFL was an option, there would be a stampede across. Australian Rules is very popular in the east with the KickStart Aussie Rules program juggernaut already entrenched in many local schools. Plenty of eastern suburbs mothers tolerate rugby but want AFL with many kids already playing for the East Sydney Junior AFL Club located in Paddington. The club is cashed up and well supported. Junior rugby clubs are struggling to get numbers as the bodies move to the fumble ball game.

At Joeys, they offer football (limit on numbers) and AFL (again, only 2 teams. If you are not good enough, bad luck) It is the "tradition" of rugby dominance and the expectation that you play rugby when you attend Joeys that keeps the numbers strong. Boarding does help with training, club games for Hunters Hill on Sundays and general camaraderie.
 

Joker

Greg Davis (50)
3rd XV competitions against the competition favourites Grammar.

Really? Numbers don't make this statement true.

Both teams have played the same teams.
Both teams have comparative defensive records.
BUT
Joeys have scored 132 more points against the same teams than Grammar have.
 

sendit

Bob Loudon (25)
Hello Quick Hands (& Black&White),

Having watched several years of Newington rugby supremacy not that long ago, (coinciding with Joeys Decade of Drought), I can remind everyone that rugby strength across the schools is cyclical. Newington and Shore both have strong age groups coming through that will prove this to be true.

What is a concern however, is the ever-decreasing number of boys that appear to be playing rugby at Newington. With the U16 age group at Newington only to go down to 16C, and that team to be comprehensively beaten by Joeys 16Es illustrates this point.

It is extremely difficult to build a successful rugby program without depth of player talent.

As you would be well aware from my previous posts, I am fully supportive of a strong GPS rugby competition across ALL schools, and so these trends should be a concern to us all.

Regards
Its Not Pink


Unfortunately its just the demographics at play in the school too, alot of Asian and Greeks/Italians/Lebanese just historically not cultures that'll choose rugby over soccer
 

brumbiesrugby

Trevor Allan (34)
Tables for Wednesday

Not much in this one. Both can score, Joeys though has the slightly better defense.

EiVu1ydVoAEcByJ

While Kings can defend, Joeys have firepower across the park.

EiVvCSTUMAAlbTf


Again, both can defend well, but Joeys have scored over 130 points more than Grammar in 5 games. (Joeys average close to 60 per game)

Last year we won the Triple Crown?
 

Black & White

Vay Wilson (31)
Hello Quick Hands (& Black&White),

Having watched several years of Newington rugby supremacy not that long ago, (coinciding with Joeys Decade of Drought), I can remind everyone that rugby strength across the schools is cyclical. Newington and Shore both have strong age groups coming through that will prove this to be true.

What is a concern however, is the ever-decreasing number of boys that appear to be playing rugby at Newington. With the U16 age group at Newington only to go down to 16C, and that team to be comprehensively beaten by Joeys 16Es illustrates this point.

It is extremely difficult to build a successful rugby program without depth of player talent.

As you would be well aware from my previous posts, I am fully supportive of a strong GPS rugby competition across ALL schools, and so these trends should be a concern to us all.

Regards
Its Not Pink

Hello Its Not Pink and UP and In
I am not supposed to be using this site, but one visit every now and then will not be an issue.Provided it doesn't cover a certain school.
You both right about Newington Rugby, but the real issue is not the lack of depth.The real issue is maintaining this depth. Currently, Newington have between 6-7 teams in the 13s, but as QHs pointed out, the current 16s of three teams was once a 13s age group that comprised 7 teams. .

This attrition rate usually accounts for the loss of one team each year, is my opinions the single greatest weakness for the New Rugby Program.

This has been issue for years at Newington.

The other issue that was mentioned by Up and In that Shore and Newington programs achieve the same results. Yes, but with one major difference. Newington A Teams are significantly more successful than thei lower age team counter-parts. That is where the difference lies.I will not comment on why and how as I would be publicly commenting on another schools policies. That would be unacceptable, from my current employment situation. But I am enjoying the teaching there.

Regards
B&W
 

sendit

Bob Loudon (25)
The other issue that was mentioned by Up and In that Shore and Newington programs achieve the same results. Yes, but with one major difference. Newington A Teams are significantly more successful than thei lower age team counter-parts. That is where the difference lies.I will not comment on why and how as I would be publicly commenting on another schools policies. That would be unacceptable, from my current employment situation. But I am enjoying the teaching there.

Regards
B&W

I will, dunno if its still the case as i haven't been there in a decent while but...

I am an old boy and used to coach at the school, got good results and was actually interested in pursuing coaching working up the grades and seeing where i could go with it (i was coaching the 5th/6ths for the most part), then they got a new director of rugby who said that teachers had to be the head coach and externals could only be assistants (to be fair not sure if this was a coincidence or was an actual directive of the head of rugby), this meant lower grade teams were coached by teachers with little to no experience in rugby or coaching. Personally had no interest in being an assistant to a low level team so gave it away and never bothered coaching again
 

Joker

Greg Davis (50)
Season 2020 finally stutters to a conclusion tomorrow.

Considering everything that has happened, we are fortunate enough to be here. Plenty of doomsayers predicted the season over (yes, even me) but with discipline shown by the school communities we have been able to complete all games. The main source of frustration has come from the new world of “Cluch” which has delighted but frustrated at the same time. The delayed telecast and the sometimes-dubious sound issues (Those Newington lads really know who to swear) have been tolerated as we all crave to enjoy the purest form of rugby in Sydney. The hard part in season 2020 has seen the loss of some of our fellow old-timers here. We have though not gone quietly. There is a small but loyal band of posters from most school allegiances who continue to provide knowledgeable insights into games, teams and school programs. We have also welcomed some new players here and their contributions have been most welcome. This is all done with a small dose of good humor and following the adage of “playing the ball and not the man”. Of course, we have had our normal invasion of the Riverview Yr 12 lads (seems to be a yearly tradition) who come in to bait and squark with regularity, but Cyclopath stands guard with his brutal, but effective, use of bold font to enforce the rules.

So, with all of this in mind, lets gaze one more time into the crystal bowl and see what pops out.
 

Joker

Greg Davis (50)
Shore v Riverview at Northbridge

Battle of Agincourt was a decisive battle in the Hundred Years' War that resulted in the victory of the English over the French. The English army, led by King Henry V, famously achieved victory in spite of the numerical superiority of its opponent. This is the same predicament that Shore face as they head into the final game. Completely outnumbered, beaten from pillar to post by all, the small but hardy and brave Shoreman have weathered all slings and arrows hurled at them. They know the only place they have been beaten has been on the score board.

The Wolf pack though has endured a season of “so close” moments. They really deserved much better returns for their efforts. The losses endured to Joeys and Kings set them back a step. The loss to Scots was not a reflection of how this team has truly played. They were simply still sore, heartbroken from the week before and the heart takes longer to heal than arm or leg. This weekend should see a hungry wolf pack looking to feast just once this season. They really should do so, but the short turn around may not work for them. They were again given a hard beating by the storm troopers while Shore endured the Kings onslaught (I hear though there were plenty of 2nd XV lads playing second half so lessen the pain on Shore).

We have one team who has taken an emotional beating one week then a physical one the next against a team who has taken a pounding each weekend but still fronts up to the halfway line. This will be tough to call. My mind says Riverview, but my heart says Shore. Just once this season, just once, let us see the Shoremen be inspired by Shakespeare’s words,

“We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition;
And gentlemen in England now a-bed
Shall think themselves accurs'd they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day”.

Shore by a miracle.

4fsvcq.jpg
 

Joker

Greg Davis (50)
Scots v Newington at The Death Star

At the Death Star, works continues on rebuilding for season 2021. There was some issues this season as many of the strike weapons of season past had departed. There has been something overlooked more importantly. In the recent seasons when Scots dominated the game it was during times when the season was extended and superior conditioning was key. We all know Scots have training facilities that professional rugby league clubs would only dream about.They also had a game plan based along the credo of “size beats everything”. When you have 90kg wingers out weighing the opposition biggest forward, then you have a mismatch. Occasionally some schools were able to find a way through but alas this was a rarity. In recent times though teams played longer pre-seasons, allowing for game plans to be tested and new ideas tried out. These new ideas including negating the Scots brawn with brains. Teams suddenly started having forwards as ball players who moved it quickly and did not allow for the larger Lions from swamping them. As well, back-line defensive patterns changed. Instead of all coming up as one, the inner backs (10, 12 with forwards) push in while the out backs stay back in a large “v” shape. All technical I know, but it is working (see Scots v Kings, Joeys this season).

Newington are also rebuilding but it is hard as the new Director may have lost the faith of the old boys who support the College with time and money. When you isolate those, who split blood for the Dragon, then you lose the much-needed passion required to fire up the younger, lower grades to keep them in rugby. They have been brave this season but have lacked consistency that was found a decade ago. Back then of course Newington were well supported by league clubs who wanted to park their players there for a couple of years. This idea of "strengthening" a team did not not help with the development of younger years and we are seeing the results of that now. Newington should lose this match, but we all hope that give it one more try. They are too proud a school to not. They played an enormous game v Kings which has provided others with a road map of how to break down a Kings defense. What was offered last week should not be criticized, as the cattle dogs of Hunters Hill were in a mood to atone for the sins of the week before. Like an “ooshie”, you have no idea what is going to appear until its opened. Scots by 10.

Scots cheer squad debut their new masks.

the-cheering-squad-dressed-as-star-wars-stormtroopers-perform-in-the-picture-id630991058
 

Joker

Greg Davis (50)
Joeys v Kings at Hallowed Hill

And it has come to this.

It is fitting that the two undefeated teams shall meet in the final round to decide the premiership. I feel that if this game was played earlier, then Kings would have won easily. Joeys at the time were hurt, unsettled, ruffled after actually beating Scots in the first round. What was needed was a break for injuries to heal and confidence to be re-grown. Playing Joeys in final round is never easy. A coach at Scots once told me, “if you want to win the premiership, play Joeys early.” He was correct. When Joeys get on a roll, they are harder to stop than flood water invading your home.

Since the drought broke in 2018, there has been a noticeable return of confidence to Joeys rugby. This has been due to changes in relationship between players and coaches. The players in these past three season now “own” the game more and have a greater input into what goes on. Coaches of course still call the shots on attack and defense patterns (strongest in the GPS), but the player input has created a tighter bond within the team than existed in the drought years.

This season, the boys in cerise have had to play without the “16th man” supporting them, that is the 1000 students cheering them on. They have had to do it alone and for themselves. They have found the intrinsic motivation required to pull games out the fire (View), learn from glaring errors (Scots) redeem their confidence (Newington) and learn how to play without the pump up of “Walk On” ringing in their ears.

Kings though have been doing what they do best without the superstars. They are tight-knit group and immensely proud their no-nonsense approach. They play a very efficient brand of rugby that is highly disciplined and all built around a rock-solid defense. They have leaked though slightly more points than Joeys, and this has not gone unnoticed with Cluch providing an opportunity to watch and study how they play. They are from my eyes, slightly more conservative than Joeys in their attack, but hence they retain possession more. Their set piece is a key with their scrum and line-out used as weapons. Joeys scrum has improved, but they now come up against the best in the GPS. They use their line-out incredibly well. I pity Joeys if they have to defend against a line out 5 meters out from their line. View scored 15m out, so Joeys will struggle against this.

The key here will be the home ground advantage. Joeys just seem to lift at home, supporters there or not. As well, this hallowed ground allows them to play at the lightning pace they are known for. Joeys will run all game just like the blue heeler cattle dog I own. They never quit, never tire. They are relentless and will just keep crashing against the opposition line. Joeys will not grind you into the ground, but will run you ragged. Kings will though hold firm and look to keep possession as long as they can. They will try to starve Joeys of the ball and use their strong set pieces as platforms to launch attacks against the levy walls of Joeys. The breakdown will be key. Kings pick and drive was effective against View and Scots. Joeys will need to keep tight in their area or otherwise Kings will drive through the middle all game.

This will be a fitting finale to season 2020. Strength and discipline versus speed and aggression.

Joeys by 7.

4fsxvw.jpg
 

Rudderless

Alex Ross (28)
From the AAGPS website for Wednesday 23rd


1st XV & 2nd XV GPS – Competition Round 1 –


E v I @ Northbridge A at 2.15pm & 3.30pm;
J v K @ Joeys 1 at 2pm & 3.15pm;
S v N @ Scots 1 at 2.15pm & 3.30pm



3rd XV GPS - Competition Round 3 –


E v H @ Northbridge A at 1pm;
K v I (played on 16/9/20);
G v J @ Weigall 1 at 12.00pm
 

hornsby4life

Allen Oxlade (6)
Evening.

It is becoming increasingly evident that the the likes of Barker, Waverley and possibly even Knox are increasingly closing the gap and are now able to match it with the GPS schools (especially Waverley and Barker). Furthermore, Shore are descending further into the abyss and are becoming closer and closer to that of Grammar and Sydney Boys. It is quite clear that these competitions need to be merged in the best interest of rugby.

I see a tier 1 division made up of:
- Joeys
- View
- Newington
- Kings
- Scots
- Barker
- Waverley

A tier 2 division made up of:
- Shore
- Knox
- Trinity
- Cranbrook
- Stannies
- St. Augustines

Tier 3:
- SBHS
- Grammar
- Aloys
- Pius
- Oakhill
etc.

I would imagine there would also be a relegation system in place. This would definitely make for a much more exciting rugby schoolboy competition, would be safer for some of those less rugby driven schools and would probably best stimulate the development of our juniors meaning hopefully a stronger Wallabies team etc.

Thoughts?

He's not wrong. Barker, Waverley and Knox's 16A's are all well above GPS. In the Opens they would all be challenged by Joeys and Kings but not the likes of Shore and Newington.
 

WLF

Arch Winning (36)
He's not wrong. Barker, Waverley and Knox's 16A's are all well above GPS. In the Opens they would all be challenged by Joeys and Kings but not the likes of Shore and Newington.


H4L,

Rubbish, there are NO easy GPS schools, the 3 CAS schools you have mentioned are strong but would find their level against all the GPS schools, in the 16s and most certainly in the 1sts.
Next years teams will be, imo, 1 of the toughest years to win, in both associations, as many schools will have 1 of their best teams for many years.

I am guessing that you are more acquainted to this years 16s age group.
I can pretty much assure you that only a few will make the Waves 1s next year, and probably the same for the other schools.
Next years year 12 cohort has always been a super age group.
 
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