Sydney Colts 2011

[Spewn]

I can provide some insight by reference to the match against Easts although I dont know all the players. Easts as you know pipped Uni the week before in the wet. Smashed Uni's forwards but then started to be outmuscled in the second half when Uni put on numerous subs in the forwards and the Easts coaches replaced noone (might have been one replacement). Same thing happened against Randwick. Tiring Easts forwards overpowered by Randwick forwards especially in last twenty minutes - won with about two minutes to spare. Good pack of forwards. Although Easts had a very depleted backline, the Rsndwick backs were excellent. The halfback is very nippy and has a great pass (bannon). I like the tall blonde 12. He has good skills. Tom Connor is 7 with new Blonde streaks. His work rate in defence is excellent although he only got one turnover. The pack in general is pretty aggressive. Jesse Harris carrying a fair bit of weight but very hard at the breakdown. Whoever is coaching the backs is doing a good job with the plays. A lot more inventive than say Syd Uni's. May not have the depth if other teams if players are injured as they easily lost colts 2 and 3s to Easts I think.

 

[staedler]

Nearly half way through the season, it appears Sydney Uni and Randwick are the teams most likely to be appearing in the GF, but in saying that, Eastwood, Eastern Subs and to a lesser extent West Harbour and Manly have the ability to knock them off on their day. Not too many surprises so far, especially with Sydney Uni hitting their straps after an average start

 

[Informer]

Nearly half way through the season, it appears Sydney Uni and Randwick are the teams most likely to be appearing in the GF, but in saying that, Eastwood, Eastern Subs and to a lesser extent West Harbour and Manly have the ability to knock them off on their day. Not too many surprises so far, especially with Sydney Uni hitting their straps after an average start

Not sure about the average start, they have lost one game by the odd point and are outright leaders in Colts 1. Having watched the Uni V Randwick colts first game on the weekend Uni are looking hard to beat. With 3 Australian schoolboys on the bench in Stirzaker, Miller and Goodman and Willl Skelton overseas they looked a class above Randwick, who never got into the game. They also have a few players in grade who might drop back into colts once the Super 15 guys come back to club footy. The longer the season goes the greater the depth at Uni will make it hard for the others to compete. That said Easts did get over them earlier in the season and no doubt the rematch will be a cracker.

 

[the beast]

Not sure about the average start, they have lost one game by the odd point and are outright leaders in Colts 1. Having watched the Uni V Randwick colts first game on the weekend Uni are looking hard to beat. With 3 Australian schoolboys on the bench in Stirzaker, Miller and Goodman and Willl Skelton overseas they looked a class above Randwick, who never got into the game. They also have a few players in grade who might drop back into colts once the Super 15 guys come back to club footy. The longer the season goes the greater the depth at Uni will make it hard for the others to compete. That said Easts did get over them earlier in the season and no doubt the rematch will be a cracker.

Easts will make the grand final and will prove very hard to beat.

 

[bdp]

at this stage it will be sydney uni and eastwood grandfinal again

 

[PTB]

Easts will make the grand final and will prove very hard to beat.

got fed by woods..

 

[Spewn]

I'd be thinking Eastwood are the second best team. Randwick were lucky to beat Easts and Eastwood thrashed Easts. I can't believe Eastwood have lost so many. Have there been injuries, narrow losses or what?

 

[jayson]

my top 5 sides
syd uni- watched them a few times- they are well coached at the breakdown and have depth to cover injuries. on the grapevine i hear players are over training 5 nights a week and not enjoying rugby!! several want to leave but are tied down by scholarships!!! hard choice for kids esp if not enjoying rugby. I know what i would be doing if i was an aus schools, playing twos and not enjoying doing a dodgy degree! more to come i here!
eastwood- big back, solid 10 could trouble uni
manly- looking good and a few Aust schools players- 13 goes good.
randwick- havent seen them play much but from all reports and young team who have a go and win games on the back of great D
easts- i here the players over the coaching staff here and if you look at twos they have dropped regular 1st colts players

 

[Spewn]

That would be my top five too. I rate Eastwood as the big threats. Very big aggressive pack and great outside backs. Randwick will fall away I think. Manly also good across the field. Easts seem to going out the door rapidly. Lack penetration in the backs and no genuine pilferer. Uni though still the team to best. Too much depth. Only Easts and Manly have good back up when you look at the 2s table. Not sure what you mean with your comments about Easts.

 

[Torn Hammy]

Sydney uni are a very slick team. Interesting comments Jayson about some players being unhappy. Competition for spots is always an incentive to play well, but playing oz schoolboys in 2nd grade colts is bad for everyone. It will be interesting to see if Talakai will return to colts when they get their 26 plus S15 players back.
He is a great leader and the refs love him. As captain of Waverley 1st XV he got the team through the season without one red or yellow card! Those of you who know Waverley boys realise that is the equivalent of keeping Charlie Sheen straight and sober for a decent length of time.

I don't think there is a lot of difference in 2nd to 6th and a lot will depend on injuries.

Saw Randwick last week. You would be mad to write them off. There were a lot of big collisions and the myrtles kept coming till the end but by then had lost 3or 4 players. Their game against Manly will be interesting.

Eastwood looked good. big and strong. Maybe not as skilful as Ranwick and uni but will be there in the end.

Big weekend for Gordon. They have come good with Moss a 10. My dark horse for the second half.

My verdict on Manly will depend on how they go against uni and Randwick in the next two weeks.

 

[Done that]

It's pretty much academic who comes second,(probably Randwick).
The reality is Uni are specials.
Any other result would warrant a stewards enquiry.

 

[Upright]

It's pretty much academic who comes second,(probably Randwick).
The reality is Uni are specials.
Any other result would warrant a stewards enquiry.

When the Super players return it is reasonable to believe that Sam Talaki, David Hickey, Jack DeGuingand not forgetting Wil Skelton and dare i say it Tom Kingston (remember Rob Horne played in the Colts GF 2 years ago) will all be politely ushered down to Colts with a pat on the back and a word of encouragement. With this likely influx some of those Aus Schools boys who we are told are getting upset with being in Colts 2's had better be going well by then otherwise they may find themselves playing in the 11.30 match!
I have said it before as an ex Uni player it annoys me that Uni have reduced the Colts comp to a "who will play Uni in the GF". Having 3 boys who represented Australia at school level last year, running around in Colts 2's is insulting to them and degrading to the club for being so short sighted. I don't know if they are at Uni or not but it allows me to push my other hobby horse, if you aren't attending Syd Uni you can't play for them - maybe that would help oversome what is a totally unacceptable position for those boys and for the overall well being of the competition.

 

[Informer]

When the Super players return it is reasonable to believe that Sam Talaki, David Hickey, Jack DeGuingand not forgetting Wil Skelton and dare i say it Tom Kingston (remember Rob Horne played in the Colts GF 2 years ago) will all be politely ushered down to Colts with a pat on the back and a word of encouragement. With this likely influx some of those Aus Schools boys who we are told are getting upset with being in Colts 2's had better be going well by then otherwise they may find themselves playing in the 11.30 match!
I have said it before as an ex Uni player it annoys me that Uni have reduced the Colts comp to a "who will play Uni in the GF". Having 3 boys who represented Australia at school level last year, running around in Colts 2's is insulting to them and degrading to the club for being so short sighted. I don't know if they are at Uni or not but it allows me to push my other hobby horse, if you aren't attending Syd Uni you can't play for them - maybe that would help oversome what is a totally unacceptable position for those boys and for the overall well being of the competition.

The 3 boys in question are all attending uni and are on scholarships

 

[Upright]

The 3 boys in question are all attending uni and are on scholarships

Thanks Informer. That supports my contention and makes me feel even more upset for them. Those 3 boys have earnt the opportunity academically to be at uni and therefore play for Uni and more importantly play at a level where they will be tested i.e Colts 1's. However here they are being forced to run around in Colts 2's while boys who are not at Uni occupy places in the Colts 1 team. Goodness how many representativep players do you need to win a Colts comp? For me it is not about winning a Colts comp it is about having a University team comprised of boys/young men attending the University. What saddens me even further is that it is not limited to the 1's team as boys who aren't at Uni but have been actively chased by the club are also in the Colts 2's. Please let them play for their district club so we can have a Colts comp that is a contest, and think of how good we (Uni) would feel if we won the comp with a team comprised of undergraduates!!!!

 

[ned]

Sydney uni are a very slick team. Interesting comments Jayson about some players being unhappy. Competition for spots is always an incentive to play well, but playing oz schoolboys in 2nd grade colts is bad for everyone. It will be interesting to see if Talakai will return to colts when they get their 26 plus S15 players back.
He is a great leader and the refs love him. As captain of Waverley 1st XV he got the team through the season without one red or yellow card! Those of you who know Waverley boys realise that is the equivalent of keeping Charlie Sheen straight and sober for a decent length of time.

I don't think there is a lot of difference in 2nd to 6th and a lot will depend on injuries.

Saw Randwick last week. You would be mad to write them off. There were a lot of big collisions and the myrtles kept coming till the end but by then had lost 3or 4 players. Their game against Manly will be interesting.

Eastwood looked good. big and strong. Maybe not as skilful as Ranwick and uni but will be there in the end.

Big weekend for Gordon. They have come good with Moss a 10. My dark horse for the second half.

My verdict on Manly will depend on how they go against uni and Randwick in the next two weeks.

I don't believe Sydney Uni will get all their super 15 players back. Apparently the Force, Rebels and Brumbies are taking their squads on tours straight after the super 15 season finishes.

 

[waves]

Thanks Informer. That supports my contention and makes me feel even more upset for them. Those 3 boys have earnt the opportunity academically to be at uni and therefore play for Uni and more importantly play at a level where they will be tested i.e Colts 1's. However here they are being forced to run around in Colts 2's while boys who are not at Uni occupy places in the Colts 1 team. Goodness how many representativep players do you need to win a Colts comp? For me it is not about winning a Colts comp it is about having a University team comprised of boys/young men attending the University. What saddens me even further is that it is not limited to the 1's team as boys who aren't at Uni but have been actively chased by the club are also in the Colts 2's. Please let them play for their district club so we can have a Colts comp that is a contest, and think of how good we (Uni) would feel if we won the comp with a team comprised of undergraduates!!!!

Im not to sure although the only Australian Schoolboy in Second Colts is Ed Wylie. What I understand of the Sydney University recruitment process is that an offer is made like any other club but guarantees are not made on what team you will play in.
What people need to understand is that when you hit Club Rugby you start from scratch so this ongoing talk about how Australian Schoolboys are unhappy playing seconds colts its unfortunate but nothing can be done.
Its all about putting your head down and working hard thats how your goals are reached many people may have forgotten what team Sam Talakai and David Hickey played in last year "seconds colts" these guys have reeked their awards for their hard work and great performances.

 

[Lindommer]

That would be my top five too. I rate Eastwood as the big threats. Very big aggressive pack and great outside backs. Randwick will fall away I think. Manly also good across the field. Easts seem to going out the door rapidly. Lack penetration in the backs and no genuine pilferer. Uni though still the team to best. Too much depth. Only Easts and Manly have good back up when you look at the 2s table. Not sure what you mean with your comments about Easts.

I don't see how posters here can write off West Harbour. They beat Manly well 31-19 in round 6 and ran Eastwood very close 32-28 last week at Millner. I could easily imagine them winning the return encounter 32-28 at Concord, that's how even they were. The young Pirates' defence in the second half will stand them in good stead for the rest of the season.

Today's match against Easts will start to provide us with some sort of ranking.

 

[Lindommer]

Today's match against Easts will start to provide us with some sort of ranking.

And so it proved this afternoon. West Harbour scraped in against Eastern Suburbs 28-26, four tries each, after leading 28-7 early in the second half. Some poor discipline (they played some 17 minutes of the second half with 14 men) and a few bad bounces of the ball combined to bugger up the Pirates' second half. The Beasts had a kickable penalty two minutes after the siren but opted to go for the try, unfortunately for them.

From what I've seen this year Easts, Eastwood and West Harbour are in a race for third behind Uni and Randwick with a struck match between them.

 

[Lindommer]

From what I've seen this year Easts, Eastwood and West Harbour are in a race for third behind Uni and Randwick with a struck match between them.

After a careful inspection of today's results it'd be churlish of me not to bracket Manly with these three, that was a magnificent result against Uni. Well done, Marlins.

 

[I like to watch]

Im not to sure although the only Australian Schoolboy in Second Colts is Ed Wylie. What I understand of the Sydney University recruitment process is that an offer is made like any other club but guarantees are not made on what team you will play in.
What people need to understand is that when you hit Club Rugby you start from scratch so this ongoing talk about how Australian Schoolboys are unhappy playing seconds colts its unfortunate but nothing can be done.
Its all about putting your head down and working hard thats how your goals are reached many people may have forgotten what team Sam Talakai and David Hickey played in last year "seconds colts" these guys have reeked their awards for their hard work and great performances.

I thought it was a points issue, whereby Uni were restricted as to how many reps played in the 1's side, not that there was someone better in their position playing 1's?