Waratah Shield 2010

[Thin Thighs]

Don't know much about prairewood, but based on results I have seen this year previously it will be a Augs vs Hills Grand Final, with Augs to take it out in a close match.

I have seen all the other teams play at some time or other this year, in one guise or another ie Hills SHS = CHS team, Augs seen several times, and St Stannies only once.

 

[observer]

and observer would have a fair idea of the Hills team.

I have no idea of the team for tomorrow's semi but if Hills make the final I will get a team list for that.

 

[Thin Thighs]

Does Queensland have a Waratah Shield equivalent?

The best of QLD best playing the best of NSW best. Enticing prospect.

Pity GPS and CAS seem to boycott the Waratah shield down here in NSW.

 

[qwerty51]

Does Queensland have a Waratah Shield equivalent?

The best of QLD best playing the best of NSW best. Enticing prospect.

Pity GPS and CAS seem to boycott the Waratah shield down here in NSW.

They don't boycott it. They can't participate since they have their own competitions.

 

[I like to watch]

All the School comps seem to end a week or 2 before HSC trials. I would assume most of these Schools think it might be a good idea for the yr 12 boys to concentrate on their studies from this point in time,rather than continue training for a knockout competition that extends their season by another month.
Unfortunately, the Tah shield in a knockout format will never be a best of the best. have read a lot of posters wanting/hoping/dreaming of combining the School comps & have a couple of grades or divisions.
Maybe one day it will happen & 1st division could be the Tah shield.

 

[sulidoror]

gps premiers play cas premiers and waratah shield winners in pre-season of next season ? or is it just joeys who do that ? still remember joeys 46 eddo's 0; auggies have beaten joeys at hunters hill 2 years in a row - playing amazing-to-watch running-randwick-original waratahs rugby - thank you john papahatzis. new v auggies would be a cracker, as would new-barker and barker-auggies. hopefully get to see all three next season.

 

[observer]

Semi final score: Hills Sports HS 79 def St Stanislaus' College 22.

I didn't see the game but my spies tell me the best players were lock Big Willy Skelton, five eight Gerard McCallum and Jacob Loko. It seems Hills intend to play Loko in the final. He is contracted to the Parramatta Eels and is the standout player in the Toyota Cup at the moment.

A couple of yellow cards too I'm told.

 

[Elfster]

It would be good to see the best-of-the-best play each other, but school sides can change dramatically from season to season. Barker were at the bottom of their comp last year but were strong this season. One of the joys (generally) is that school sides can vary quite a bit season to season as player turnover is "yearly".

 

[the berries]

Poor Stanies coped a hiding alright. Just could not match it with the Hills outfit. In the same breath Hills will need to improve 300% to get near Augies this comming monday. Hills played without structure for most of the match relying on brute strength to get by. This deal will not hold up against the disciplined Augies outfit.
First yellow card in the last play of the first half had Blondie sent off for 10 for an alledged punch on an opposition front rower. Rubbish there was no punch just two forwards breaking the grip on an apposing player at the breakdown. Second yellow had Sam Aphono coping 10 for a late tackle. Guilty as charged.

 

[DPK]

Semi final score: Hills Sports HS 79 def St Stanislaus' College 22.

I didn't see the game but my spies tell me the best players were lock Big Willy Skelton, five eight Gerard McCallum and Jacob Loko. It seems Hills intend to play Loko in the final. He is contracted to the Parramatta Eels and is the standout player in the Toyota Cup at the moment.

A couple of yellow cards too I'm told.

Loko was mentioned on the Sunday Footy Show (Ch9) as being someone to look out for in the NRL next year.

 

[observer]

Loko was mentioned on the Sunday Footy Show (Ch9) as being someone to look out for in the NRL next year.

I believe he will be in the Eels NRL full time squad come the end of this season. A wonderful athlete, strong, powerful and fast. He scored 3 trys against Souths on the weekend.

Hills are very fortunate to have him available to play rugby. I assume they will play him in the centres or on the wing. Here is a pic of him http://www.ourfootyteam.com/images/...parramatta_v_balmain_sgBall_rnd8_02_s600L.jpg

 

[sulidoror]

auggies 39-0 at half time in 2nd semi

 

[observer]

auggies 39-0 at half time in 2nd semi

Looking like a Hills v Auggies final. Where will it be held at?

 

[I like to watch]

TG Milner, next Monday

 

[Lee Grant]

Hills SH 79 - Stannies 22

Missed a turn off and got to this game late - just before oranges, but Hills were well in front by then. They eased off in the 2nd half and therefore did not look as impressive to me as the winners of the 2nd semi. To be fair it was hot during the 1st game and some of the bigger lads were walking around near the end.

The exception was 10. McCallum who looked like the class act of the team and as always played beyond his years. Some of the big Hills guys like 4. Skelton and 3. Lolohea (who switched to hooker in the 2nd half) had sporadic bursts of power, but by and large Hills couldn't stop the plucky Stannies lads fighting back strongly and causing a bit of cheek on the scoreboard. Stannies should be proud of their 2nd half effort.

St. Augustines 73 - Prairiewood HS 0 (Half-time 39-0)

Saints outclassed their opposition and one could make much the same report about them as for the game v. Mudgee last Thursday (see 2 pages back). The lads put on some brilliant moves often started by the quixotic flyhalf Brisby, who was winger quick and got into half gaps before defenders realised what was happening. When they came in to stop him it was usually just in time to see the ball go to a try scorer.

Just as well Purcell was a bit off line with a few conversions otherwise the score would have been 80+.

Winger Vescio reportedly was playing in a league trial but his replacement Connor Firth did not complain because he scored 5 tries. On that tally he was probably MOTM but my gong would have gone to 1. Aperinu Malu, an ex-no-8, I hear, and plays like one, running over tacklers like they were skittles.

6. Vaka wasn't back from NZ and Langrell played well again in his place; in fact: all the forwards played well including Dombkins again, playing in the 2nd row but looking like a schoolboy Mark Loane. The only bummer was when hooker Kaufmann was assisted off with a serious looking knee injury. He is unlikely to play in the final.

It was sad when 13, Hingano came off the park in his last game for the school. He is a fine young player and young man, but he will miss the final because he goes into camp for the Oz Schools team. Loseli played on the wing and had a cracking game because defenders were no match for him when had full steam up. He will likely play 13 against Hills with Vescio back (I'm guessing) to play on the wing.

St. Augustines would be my pick to win the Waratah Shield on Monday though they could be affected by the absence of Hingano and Kaufmann. Hills will have to pick up their work rate to compete with the lads from Brookvale, but I have my doubts that Saints will let them.

But talk is cheap – watch this space.

 

[I like to watch]

Thanks for the report Lee.
You are right about Hingano, I have met him and he is not just a great rugby player. He is a credit to his School & his family.I am sure if attitude counts for anything he will have a very successful Rugby career, if that is the path he has chosen.

 

[no_name12]

if hills side is mostly league players that are signed and there future is set, why then do they ply union? why not give other boys at hills whose future might not be in league but could enjoy union. its a shame that hills have to get their leaguies play who have the future set. union isn't even its own tsp at hills isn't it? it co exists with league?

 

[lily]

Api Malu is 19 next year.

 

[observer]

if hills side is mostly league players that are signed and there future is set, why then do they ply union? why not give other boys at hills whose future might not be in league but could enjoy union. its a shame that hills have to get their leaguies play who have the future set. union isn't even its own tsp at hills isn't it? it co exists with league?

Hills do have separate TSP's (for those that don't know Talented Sports Program) for union and league. The league program is chock-a-block full whereas the union is only half full. The Hills are a firm believer in having the boys play both codes. They are the only sports high school that encourage the boys to play both.

That system seems to be working for union's benefit at the moment. Around half a dozen of the mungoes have converted to union. Just look at some of these;

Steve Cummins, JGS, West Harbour colts, Australian Schools rugby
Jason Seage, NSW Schools rugby, contracted sevens rugby player and Waratahs Academy
Jason Havea, former Melbourne Storm contracted player now playing West Harbour colts
Sam Ahofono, former contracted Bulldogs player now playing West Harbour colts
Big Willy Skelton, CS, now playing Sydney University colts

Because Hills allow their boys to play both codes they have been exposed to joys of rugby. And they have now made a choice. I don't know if there is anything negative in this arrangement.

 

[observer]

I'm told that Hills were absolutely dominant in the first half and led by a huge score at half time. They got slack and lazy in the second half and they won't be able to do that against Auggies in the final. Well done to Stannies for not lying down.

Lee, did you see Jacob Loko play? I would be interested to know what you thought of him. I understand Seage and Cummins did not play but should be available for the final.