NSW Schools - Trial Games and Selections 2011

[CTPE]

interesting pick with Lalakai. Is he really that good? I would assume he is in the Kings 1's then?

also fair call about CAS, though they do have a few standouts (Clark for example). What about NSW selections and Aus schools. Do you think GPS will be as dominant in selections as last year?

Saw Lalakai play for the first time at View on Saturday for Kings first XV at no 12. Had heard some good things about him and he certainly is the goods. Great speed, really good footwork and reads play well. Will more than likely get pushed out to the wing in GPS though.

 

[sandbox]

jonny vaux at 10
mike edwards at 15
Jack Demphsey at 6

 

[Iluvmyfooty]

jonny vaux at 10
mike edwards at 15
Jack Demphsey at 6

vaux wont beat Debre from Trinity
Edwards wont be in froint of Clarke
Dombkins over Dempsey

 

[baldingwingforward]

vaux wont beat Debre from Trinity
Edwards wont be in froint of Clarke
Dombkins over Dempsey

Dombkins might get pushed in the 2nd row, Debre is a good player but his defence is very suspect, especially given how big he is! Clarke isn't even playing atm - looking doubtful as to whether he will makes CAS let alone anything else.

 

[no_name12]

Dempsy won't get over Dombkins. Who is taller? maybe Dempsey gets put in the row?

 

[no_name12]

Although close sources at Auggies said that Rhys is in a brace? don't know if this is true or not?

 

[Rugby Parent]

I looked at the draw for the NSW under 18 selection trials. Does any one know what is the overriding principle applied in determining which teams play which other teams?

I tried to work out the implied logic from the draw as presented.

If you assume that GPS 1 are the benchmark team, then based on the draw CAS 1 and CHS 1 seem to be considered the main source of possible contenders to GPS 1 players in NSW selections, as they are the only teams that play against GPS 1 in the selection trials. They (ie CAS 1 and CHS 1) also get to play each other.

ISA 1 do not play GPS 1 but get to play both CHS 1 and CAS 1- thus they seemed to be ranked as potential source of NSW players below GPs 1, CAS 1, and CHS 1. To assess ISA player's merits against GPS 1 players you are forced to do it via their relative performance against CAS 1 and CHS 1 players.

CCC get to play only one 'first' team from these 4 - CHS 1.

AICES and Country are not matched against any of the 'firsts from CHS, CAS or ISA. They do get to play CCC.

Is this how most would rank the various school associations as a potential source of NSW reps in 2011 ie GPS first, CAS and CHS equal second, ISA fourth, CCC fifth and AICES and CNTY equal sixth?

Do you think the NSW schools selection committee attempt to re-rank associations each year before determining the draw - or is it based on a perception that these rankings do not ever need to change?

Is it all academic because the selectors know the NSW team before the trials commence?

 

[Iluvmyfooty]

As far as I know these games are the same each year. I suppose a few years ago the "ranking" you show was correct but this is not the case now.

Last year CAS beat CHS and ISA, ISA beat CHS and GPS beat CAS

 

[baldingwingforward]

I suppose a few years ago the "ranking" you show was correct but this is not the case now.

That ranking is still pretty close, although you might swap the order of CAS, CHS and ISA around each year. 9 years out of 10 GPS will still be the dominant side. CAS have good years every now and then. ISA strength is based largely on how many good players Auggies have managed to import. CHS seem to be in decline somewhat so i would order it at 1. GPS, 2. CAS/ISA 3. ISA/CHS 4. CHS

Stupid that all of the other teams get 3 or more games whereas the GPS get two! Says a lot about their strength that they still generally beat CAS easily in their first game, even though it is CAS' 2nd or 3rd game and now they have even started having training camps!!

 

[footy-kid]

Is it true CCC and Country do not have selectors on the panel, is that fair?
i know these teams usually in the past have been weaker compared to GPS and CAS, though does it lower the chance of more players outside Sydney getting into the team?

 

[Lee Grant]

Dempsy won't get over Dombkins. Who is taller? maybe Dempsey gets put in the row?

They are two different types of players and both very good. I was trying to think of whom Dempsey reminded me of and it came to me this morning - Schalk Burger, that type of player. Dombkins looks like he is an 8 playing in the wrong position. Hopefully he will play 8 once he leaves school as he has some good attributes for the spot.

One could suggest that they could both play for NSW this year but we will all be surprised at the quality of lads we haven't seen this year yet in the trials. We always are.

 

[NorthernSon]

Hmmm,
It will be interesting to see how many of the eligible and very successful Under 16 National Champions make it through 2 years later, Noting Dean Oxley (NSW sCHOOLS 2011 Assistant Coach) was a key as their Championship Coach.

NSW SCHOOLS UNDER 16 2009
Jersey Colours: Sky Blue
1 L / H Prop BEN LAWLEY KNOX COLLEGE
2 Hooker CLARRIE MOORE THE SCOTS COLLEGE
3 T / H Prop JONATHON MASIASOMUA PRAIRIEWOOD HS
4 L / Lock BRETT JOHNSON KNOX COLLEGE
5 R / Lock NATHANIEL DEANS ST JOSEPH’S COLLEGE
6 B / Flank RHYS DOMBKINS HUNTER SPORTS HS
7 O / Flank CAMERON BOND (C) ST JOSEPH’S COLLEGE
8 Number 8 ADAM VILIMAA THE KINGS SCHOOL
9 Scrumhalf JOCK MERRIMAN (VC) SYDNEY CHURCH OF ENGLAND
10 Flyhalf FINLAY MCDONALD NEWINGTON COLLEGE
11 L / Wing SAIA TANGINOA PRAIRIEWOOD HS
12 L / Centre JJ PURCELL ST AUGUSTINE’S COLLEGE
13 R / Centre SAMISONI LANGI TRINITY COLLEGE
14 R / Wing NATHAN ROYE NEWINGTON COLLEGE
15 Fullback MATT HULME ST JOSEPH’S COLLEGE
16 Hooker PETER BARRATT SYDNEY GRAMMAR SCHOOL
17 L / H Prop SAM BARAKET THE SCOTS COLLEGE
18 T / H Prop MATAGI SA’U ENDEAVOUR SPORTS HS
19 Lock HARRISON ORR TRINITY COLLEGE
20 Utility Fwd/Back PATRICK KENNEDY ST ALOYSIUS COLLEGE
21 Utility Fwd/Back ANTHONY JONES TRINITY COLLEGE
22 Utility Back JASON DATE KINROSS WOLAROI
23 Utility Back ZAC ATTALAH THE KINGS SCHOOL

 

[Lee Grant]

Some of those boys have left school already. We all know that some lads in any under age side can be almost a year older than team mates born in the same year.

Dombkins and Purcell made the NSW Is team last year so are likely to be picked again. Dombkins played for Oz A Schools last year also.

Some of those fellows listed who are still at school may miss out because some of the 2010 U/16 NSW Schools players may be preferred. Fellows like 3. Ala'alatoa and 6. Dempsey come to mind.

Then there's the Sydney Juniors team of 2009. in which 9. Wessels (Oz A Schools), 10. Debreczski and 15. Clark represented their clubs but are now playing in the 1st XVs of their schools.

Likewise from the 2010 Sydney Juniors: 3. Talakai, 8. Sio 10. Vaux and 11. (now a 12.) Foketi are all in their schools 1st XVs now.

All these 2009 and 2010 Sydney Juniors would be a chance to get in one of the two NSW teams.

In other words: the landscape changes over two years and in particular: some lads who matured early in 2009 could be passed by others of the same age who have caught up in that department. It happens a lot.

 

[sandbox]

wells played Gps 3rds then went on to make Aus schoolboys, so it was obviously a bad call at GPS level. Certainly think that overall Riverview are strongest team this year and should be given better look in for spots

 

[footy-kid]

NSWCHS 33 NSWCCC 7

very tight first half with CCC scoring a sneaky try and CCC only scoring off CCC own mistakes. scrums held well and both even, CHS got pushed back twice, surprisingly. half time looked a even contest, reserves came on for CCC and totally different ball game, CCC scrums crumbled to the dominant forwards and no forward momentum giving the backs alot of pressure with chs jumping at the bit finishing off with some lucky yet skillfull tries, chs have alot of power and size in their game. CCC changing at half time the front row, 5/8 and flankers, doesnt make sense as they lost the game with that move, i guess getting equal time for all players is more important then winning the game, scoreline not truly reflecting the game

keys players
NSWCCC
had a tight front row for the first half and made a couple of turnovers
#1Alan Anapu #2Hamish Austin #3Jake Palermo
hard running and solid defending inside centre
#12Jordin Meredith
solid passing game from the halfback
#9 Michael Messina
NSWCHS
forward pack from the #1-#8 all had power and size, very strong running
#6Josh Calcagno and big #8Thomas Vaessen from the country
backline was slick and smooth with good running lines and size/pace out wide were too powerful for the nswccc wingers
#10 Jake Mcintyre, #11Veasii kavaefiafi #9 Waldo Wessels all had a brilliant game

 

[TigersFan5]

wells played Gps 3rds then went on to make Aus schoolboys, so it was obviously a bad call at GPS level. Certainly think that overall Riverview are strongest team this year and should be given better look in for spots

You can't really say that. Just cause they may be the most rated team in the GPS doesn't mean you should over look other schools that dont perform as well. You should view each player that has the capability of playing high level NSW footy.

 

[lily]

Did Clint Gutherson play for CHS?

 

[Iluvmyfooty]

Did Clint Gutherson play for CHS?

He was listed as fullback in the program

 

[footy-kid]

Did Clint Gutherson play for CHS?

yes he did, didn't notice a huge impact but still a sound player

 

[Rugby Parent]

Love to hear news regarding the NSW selection trials and hearing of the talent being unearthed. Reading some of the other threads (GPS, CAS, ISA) it seems some are obsessed with results and consequent bragging rights for their association. They seem to treat these trials as an inter-assciation championship. and that teams need to be picked that will defeat the other associations (empahisis on team combinations etc).

These are NSW selection trials (with the emphasis on selection) - not an inter school association championship. Selection trial selections and processes should be designed to bring the best talent from each association to the fore. If it were an inter association championship you would be tempted to pick the best team in a particular association (eg have Riverview or Newington represent the GPS, Waverley or Trinity the CAS and Auggies or Oakhill the ISA) and substitute some of their weaker players with stars from other teams within their associations. Thus you would have established combinations and a cohesive team capable of beating non-cohesive teams filled with all stars, who are strangers to each other.

However the aim of these selection trials, and the selection of teams to compete at these trials, should to see all the best individuals competing at a higher level - even if this means, for example, breaking up a hot backline combination from one school, or combining two crash ball centres (because the two individuals are the best individual centres in their association), or combining a ball playing/passing No. 10 with a ball playing No, 12 (because they are the best in their position) even when knowing that picking a combination of the best with the second or third best might give a better result on the scoreboard.

As selection trials I hope this is the approach is adopted, and for this reason I applaud CCC changing the team at half time to give all those selected a platform in front of the NSW selectors.

Results in these selection trials should be treated as meaningless. I certainly don't subscribe to the theory the school, or the association, or even the state teams with the best results on the scoreboard in selection trials should neceesarily dominate selections at the next level - certainly when you are talking about school boy football anyway. Selection in school boy representative teams should be about recognition and development for the future - not the short term score board results.