ACTJRU U18 & ACT Schools XV 2014

[Michael Walker]

With majority of teams commencing pre-season training and the first of the trial games fast approaching.... i wanted to get peoples thoughts on who they believe are the favourites to win this years competition.

Please comment your thoughts.

 

[Merrow]

At a guess I would say Eddies, Marist, Grammar, Daramalan, Vikings, Wests plus 2 others. Couldn't even hazard a guess as to who they'll be at the moment. Pretty sure that the powers that be will want an 8 team comp though.

 

[Michael Walker]

after what happened last year, with uni-norths being kicked out and vikings dropping down to 2nd division... i wouldn't be surprised if they kept it to a 6 team comp

 

[Merrow]

The Uni Norths team from last year were all in their final year of junior rugby. Completely different side this season made up of the under 16's and the third div under 18's from last season. Still very unlikely that they will be made to go in div 1.

 

[No.8]

Will be interested to see how this comp goes this year - of course Marist and Eddies have to be front runners - Grammar seemed to of been improving over the last few years - but never consistently as strong as Marist and Eddies.

Any news of players coming into the schools (more Eddies/Marist) in year 10/11/12 from outside of Canberra?

 

[Michael Walker]

Will be interested to see how this comp goes this year - of course Marist and Eddies have to be front runners - Grammar seemed to of been improving over the last few years - but never consistently as strong as Marist and Eddies.

Any news of players coming into the schools (more Eddies/Marist) in year 10/11/12 from outside of Canberra?

James Shepherd has come from Goulburn into Marist Year 11... he is apart of the Under 17's Junior Gold cup team and was also apart of the Under 16's Brumbies Nationals Team..... Haven't personally seen him play but have heard that he is a very good five-eight with a good kicking game and can read the play very well. Should be a good asset to the Marist team.

 

[Fishy]

Saw the Shephard boy play a few times last year, he plays well for his school trinity but was hindered by a team with possible depth problems? But in a team at Marist his potential could really show through. He is playing well currently for the ACT U17 JGC team however his play is quite readable and often does not take advantage of all opportunities for his own greed, if you may call it that.

 

[Rogebylover]

Was at wests training the last week. Wests u18's div 1 are looking physically good. Quite a few players that look like they wouldn't be out of place in a colts team. Not sure of their skills.

 

[Michael Walker]

Knowing that both St.Edmunds and Marist have four trial games each and then have an overseas tour respectively before the season starts, does anybody know what sort of preparation the other sides have?

 

[Michael Walker]

What does everyone think the first XV line ups will be.

Which players are returning for another crack at first XV rugby?

Any players set to star in the competition?

Being pretty close with the Marist set-up, my bet for the first XV starting team is:

1.Julian Lowe
2. Siuta Tai (returning)
3. Taylor Pringle
4. Declan Oswald (returning)
5. Jordan Watt/James Montgomery
6. Jack Tom
7. Lewis Oswald (returning)
8. Ryan Gibson
9. Sam Ross (returning) /Nathan Exton
10. Sam Ross/Jo Rollins
11. Lachlan Whitbread
12. Liam Simonsoon (returning)
13. Tom Evans (returning)
14. Daniel Marshall (returning)
15. Jack Hickson

Looking at this team, no doubt players like Siuta Tai (Australian Schoolboy), Liam Simonsson and Tom Evans will be outstanding but i think Jack Hickson (Raiders SG Ball) will prove to be a big inclusion into this Marist team.

 

[Fishy]

Knowing that both St.Edmunds and Marist have four trial games each and then have an overseas tour respectively before the season starts, does anybody know what sort of preparation the other sides have?

Grammar is touring overseas, as well as participating in the annual Investec Scots 7's up in Sydney which I believe they have been doing for some years now?

Also, have been hearing that several of the Uni-norths Division 1 players from last year - that are still within the U18 category, have jumped ship over to the Wests Div 1 team of this year? Thoughts about the effect on Wests and Norths?

 

[Merrow]

Grammar is touring overseas, as well as participating in the annual Investec Scots 7's up in Sydney which I believe they have been doing for some years now?

Also, have been hearing that several of the Uni-norths Division 1 players from last year - that are still within the U18 category, have jumped ship over to the Wests Div 1 team of this year? Thoughts about the effect on Wests and Norths?

There weren't several players that fall into the under 18 category left from Div 1. Maybe 2 or 3 kids. Uni Norths presently has around 25 kids eligible for under 18's. I don't think they'll have a problem fielding a team some how.

 

[Michael Walker]

Does anyone know the results of yesterdays trial games?

 

[Fishy]

I just heard that the Grammar 10's tournament scheduled for this Saturday was cancelled, because they don't want the fields to get damaged

 

[Michael Walker]

For anybody wondering, Marist lost to Knox on the weekend 36-7 , improvement from last years 60 point loss but still looks like a one sided game.





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[Michael Walker]

Marist 1st's went down to Riverview yesterday 48-7, whilst Marist 2nd's surprisingly beat Riverview 2nd's 28-5, big win for the 2nds boys down at Marist.

 

[AngryDog 2]

eddies new recruit ryan bol 115kg prop forward who was a 16yr old new zealand school boy will be interesting to see this weekend against river view

 

[angus patterson]

Josh wise nigel plums son is a new recruit to eddies forward pack should be interesting to see how he goes this year !

 

[joshflanders]

eddies new recruit ryan bol 115kg prop forward who was a 16yr old new zealand school boy will be interesting to see this weekend against river view

he will be packing down this weekend against riverview in Sydney, will be interesting to see how his fitness holds up.

 

[josh jackson]

James Shepherd has come from Goulburn into Marist Year 11. he is apart of the Under 17's Junior Gold cup team and was also apart of the Under 16's Brumbies Nationals Team... Haven't personally seen him play but have heard that he is a very good five-eight with a good kicking game and can read the play very well. Should be a good asset to the Marist team.

I believe that the Gungahlin eagles are going to be a stand out ion the under 18's division 1 this year with plenty of recruiting done in the off season. they have just gotten back from there tour to Queensland where they came up against teams such as nudgee, TSS, terrace and so on, they won every game of there tour so they are looking very strong this year