Shute Shield 2010

[Sydney Wallabies]

Sydney Uni fielding their representative stars will mean we're totally screwed.

How Berrick Barnes plays for them is beyond me.

I know I was extremely angry when I found out he decided to play for Sydney University when he moved south of the border.

I am fed up to the core of that club hording all the stars.

No wonder clubs like Parramatta and Penrith always struggle.

Oh well, I suppose it keeps the suits at NSWRU headquarters happy the Students win all the time.

 

[en_force_er]

Sydney Uni fielding their representative stars will mean we're totally screwed.

How Berrick Barnes plays for them is beyond me.

I know I was extremely angry when I found out he decided to play for Sydney University when he moved south of the border.

I am fed up to the core of that club hording all the stars.

No wonder clubs like Parramatta and Penrith always struggle.

Oh well, I suppose it keeps the suits at NSWRU headquarters happy the Students win all the time.

Sure it's a bit silly Berrick is playing for them and maybe a touch unfair but they did develop most of their 1st XV themselves.

 

[Nusadan]

Sure it's a bit silly Berrick is playing for them and maybe a touch unfair but they did develop most of their 1st XV themselves.

The Wallabies stars like Barnes have to pick a club that would feature in the business end of the season to get a game or two after the TN's to prime themselves for the EOYT...how could the likes of Parra or Penrith provide such assurances?

 

[Lindommer]

Sure it's a bit silly Berrick is playing for them and maybe a touch unfair but they did develop most of their 1st XV themselves.

What, from juniors?

 

[en_force_er]

The Wallabies stars like Barnes have to pick a club that would feature in the business end of the season to get a game or two after the TN's to prime themselves for the EOYT...how could the likes of Parra or Penrith provide such assurances?

Did I say Parra or Penrith?

What, from juniors?

Did you learn more about the game as a 13 or 14 year old or as an 18 or 19 year old? We can't question the club having had an impact on these players' development.

I have no Sydney club affiliation.

 

[Sydney Wallabies]

The Wallabies stars like Barnes have to pick a club that would feature in the business end of the season to get a game or two after the TN's to prime themselves for the EOYT...how could the likes of Parra or Penrith provide such assurances?

Your club or mine might be a start, mate.

 

[fatprop]

What, from juniors?

The majority came through their Colts system, that is developed to me.

Be more concerned why a kid in your club's juniors doesn't have any driving loyalty to play colts there

 

[Upright]

The majority came through their Colts system, that is developed to me.

Be more concerned why a kid in your club's juniors doesn't have any driving loyalty to play colts there

Hmm coming through Colts... Uni have a great package to offer boys who have academic ability and some rugby ability ie scholarship and 'elite Athlete Program" linked to residentail colleges...fantastic, and how it should be. What is wrong is they also gather up plenty of others with the we don't mind if you are not at Uni as long as you are doing something we will put you into our rugby program. IMO University teams are for university students. As I will have an interest in Uni in coming years I will watch to see how it really works.

 

[fatprop]

Success attracts success, don't begrudge Uni for doing stuff right, look at the other clubs for not getting their shit into gear, and require them to meet the quality and professionalism of the Uni program.

 

[Sydney Wallabies]

Hmm coming through Colts... Uni have a great package to offer boys who have academic ability and some rugby ability ie scholarship and 'elite Athlete Program" linked to residentail colleges...fantastic, and how it should be. What is wrong is they also gather up plenty of others with the we don't mind if you are not at Uni as long as you are doing something we will put you into our rugby program. IMO University teams are for university students. As I will have an interest in Uni in coming years I will watch to see how it really works.

That's exactly the way I see it as well, mate.

 

[Gnostic]

My Head to Head Randwick V Eastwood

1. Robinson V (3) Taukeiaho - Eastwood (though it will be closer than some would think Taukeiaho underrated IMO)
2. Fitzpatrick V Fonokalafi - Even (Just my bias here)
3. Dunning V Kepu (1) - Randwick Dunning has been out of form all year. What has been wrong there. Kepu is just coming back and making a big statement.
4. Alexander V Maninoa - Randwick (Maninoa has been a standout the last two weeks)
5. Chisholm V Hand - Randwick (I don't like Chis at Test Level but at Club level he dominates)
6. Palamo V Elsom - Randwick (Palamo has been a favourite for a few years but against Elsom in club footy just can't see him getting the better)
7. Perrit v Lam - Even (Perrit will be better on ball but Lam is a dynamo deserves a S15 academy spot at least)
8. McCaffery v Mowen - Randwick (Mowen had a very good game last week and seems to be find last years form at the right time)
9. Satnnard v Phibbs - Randwick
10. Foote V Browne - Eastwood
12. Puikala V Taminika - Even (some serious ouch time coming)
13. Bennets V Cummins - Randwick (Cummins has impressed me in his club games at 13. Not that I'd want to see him there at a higher level)
11. Turner V Tombleson (14) - Eastwood (I hope Tombles has learnt some secret weaknesses on Lockie in Tahs camp)
14. Grant V Foley (11) - Eastwood (Grant is another who probably deserves a chance at a higher level Is he signed to a S15 Franchise?)
15. Batger V Beale - Randwick

More individuals better than the Wicks but the Woodies have combined better as a unit all year. This is by far the best balanced Randwick side all year though. The bench could have a hug impact on the game and here Eastwood have a big advantage with players like Alexander (if he can step straight back in).

 

[Informer]

Really it is up to the other clubs to meet the challenges that Uni have created with their Talented and Elite Athlete Programs. Many young men aspire to a university degree and there is nothing stopping the other clubs creating closer links to other universities and more importantly to find sponsors to fund those scholarships. There are many other factors that a talented rugby player has to consider when choosing a club after school, including:

• The quality of the Colts coaching staff. It is no longer good enough to get a player who is past his used by date to make a come back as a coach in Colts. They need to be qualified technically (grade 3 preferably). There needs to be more focus on coaching the coaches to improve the quality in Colts

• Talent identification. Norths have done a great job this year in putting together a very impressive package for school leavers that sets the standard. It shows they are serious and have a plan for next year that is already underway. It is hard work attending schoolboy rep matches and identifying young talent but if you want the best you have to know who they are and understand their objectives in the coming year

• Training and mentoring. Uni are great in this area and the other clubs are way behind. Senior colts players should train with grade players in the off season at least once a week and ideally have a mentor in the senior ranks who plays in their position. Uni do it so why not other clubs?

• Support off the field. Uni have a great network of old boys who offer everything from first class medical support to assistance in finding a job while at Uni and afterwards. Hard to beat, but most clubs, particularly those on the North and East sides should have similar old boy networks they can tap into

• Get serious in the off season. Uni have a program for Colts that is the same as for the grade players. This means more strength and conditioning staff but again Uni lead the way. It costs money but that is the challenge

• Financial scholarships help but to be honest they count less than the other issues in my mind

Fava at Norths and Fear at Easts are doing a fine job working with very limited junior resources to provide a viable alternative to Uni and seem to understand the challenge presented by the Uni machine.

 

[Welly Rugby]

Alexander (4) has been a stand-out this year, don't think your giving him enough credit there.

Also i fancy the eastwood centres over the randwick ones.. cummins has not had any great impact IMO, and bennets is a good up and comer.

That being said, i think randwick will probably win in a very tight game.

 

[I like to watch]

FP, There is no dispute that the colts are in a good program once they arrive. ask why they moved there, that is the issue that causes angst amongst from other clubs.
I agree it is not Uni's fault that they a distinct advantage over other clubs. But they have one.
Take all the schoolboy stars from Uni 2's & 3's and disperse them across the comp & the standard improves for everyone.
Yeah I know it never will happen, so just get used to everyone hating Uni!

 

[fatprop]

FP, There is no dispute that the colts are in a good program once they arrive. ask why they moved there, that is the issue that causes angst amongst from other clubs.
I agree it is not Uni's fault that they a distinct advantage over other clubs. But they have one.
Take all the schoolboy stars from Uni 2's & 3's and disperse them across the comp & the standard improves for everyone.
Yeah I know it never will happen, so just get used to everyone hating Uni!

Not a fan of socialism, give me 8 or 10 great development programs across the city, because Uni don't get them all, they are just doing it better today.

When I was playing it Randwick we all whinged about, at the moment it is Uni, but Souths are giving it a good shake as well

 

[lily]

Success attracts success, don't begrudge Uni for doing stuff right, look at the other clubs for not getting their shit into gear, and require them to meet the quality and professionalism of the Uni program.

For someone who claims to have played for a different club you seem to be very pro uni. Are you aware of absolute advantage which refers to the ability of a party to produce a particular good at a lower absolute cost than another.

 

[naza]

FP, There is no dispute that the colts are in a good program once they arrive. ask why they moved there!

The urge to study overcame them ?

 

[I like to watch]

Not a fan of socialism, give me 8 or 10 great development programs across the city, because Uni don't get them all, they are just doing it better today.

No one bitches about the dev program, the gripe is about the recruitment practice/incentives.
Clearly, Uni officials understand that the dev program only works in tandem with recruitment. otherwise they would not be offering incentives to Schoolboy stars.
But you are right that whinging won't change a thing.

 

[Informer]

No one bitches about the dev program, the gripe is about the recruitment practice/incentives.
Clearly, Uni officials understand that the dev program only works in tandem with recruitment. otherwise they would not be offering incentives to Schoolboy stars.
But you are right that whinging won't change a thing.

Uni are NOT offering huge financial incentives to school leavers, merely a well balanced, well thought out, managed and promoted Colts development program that is hard to ignore when compared to the amateurish attempts by other clubs. Some clubs have seen the light and are making the right moves while others are still bitching about the "unfair advantage". Most of what Uni have to offer can be replicated at minimal cost, but it does require hard work and dedication. Time to put up or shut up in my view and invest time, effort and resources for the future.

 

[Gnostic]

Forget the incentives etc, they play a part but a big big factor for people who want success is they will want to join a successful Club/Franchise. They will go out of their way to do that. They also want to play with their mates. A few like Barnes may have deeper reasons - didn't he say at one point when he announced that he would play with Uni he wished to further his partnership with Burgess the incumbant and clearly leading 9 for the Tahs?

This whinging is no different from the same treatment that Randwick got when they won 7 Premierships in a row. Calls were made for players to be forced to leave Randwick then as well when the whole Wallaby front row, a backrower, second rower, flyhalf, centres and wing all played for the Wicks. It is a spur to get better and make your club attractive and offer something that makes people want to play there.