NSW Schools - Trial Games and Selections 2014

[Monty Python]

I think a fair few people would be surprised if Matt Serhorn got hooker of NSW I, many think his selection in GPS 1st XV last year was very surprising and i think there are more mobile harder working forwards out there in the Hooker position, Riverview's Evan Pritchard is by far one of the best scrummagers in the GPS competition [snip]

Interesting looking back over some of the snouts predictions earlier in the thread for some positions. Seems the selectors agreed with WTG that Pritchard ranked above Serhon as hooker, but a dark horse from the CHS boon docks outflanked them both for the NSW I starting hooker position, with another from one of the other less favoured school associations, CAS, as reserve for 1s. Good luck to these two boys. However, Ed Craig and James Widders-Leece will have stiff competition over the coming week from Alex Mafi (incumbent national schoolboys hooker and captain of QLD I) for a spot in the national squad announced next Saturday. Should be an interesting match up should QLD I and NSW I come head to head next Saturday afternoon.

 

[Brian Westlake]

Why was CHS Hooker Ed Craig a dark horse?
He is well known amongst the club lads, but just because he isn't amongst the GPS boys doesn't mean anything. The common theory came from another thread that were campaigning for their particular schoolmate. I know that Ed Craig will grace the NSW Jersey with both pride and ability.

 

[abe01]

Graig was outstanding in the games I saw him play and deserves his start.

 

[CatchnPass]

Graig was outstanding in the games I saw him play and deserves his start.

I heard the same from a disinterested observer. It's a damning indictment on the state of Heaven's game in NSW (and QLD?) when a non GPS lad is seen as a bolter despite playing the house down.

 

[Monty Python]

Why was CHS Hooker Ed Craig a dark horse?
He is well known amongst the club lads, but just because he isn't amongst the GPS boys doesn't mean anything. The common theory came from another thread that were campaigning for their particular schoolmate. I know that Ed Craig will grace the NSW Jersey with both pride and ability.

I guess I say a 'dark horse' because some of the incumbents who you might think had 'dibs' on retaining their positions from last year and improving on them to reach NSW I (eg, Serhon, Fotukava - hooker last year and prop this year, others??), have been left in NSW II or NSW I reserves, behind Craig and Widders-Reece. Same for prop Phil Bradford from CHS getting ahead of incumbents Sandell and Fotukava.

As mentioned previously in a different thread:

Special mention on the selections of Phil Bradford and Ed Craig from CHS - they must have really impressed the selectors to be chosen above their GPS counterparts. If they were on par, or only a hair's breadth between them, surely the incumbents would have been given the gig.

So, perhaps not a dark horse to those 'outside' the GPS circuit with a wider view of the total pool of talent in NSW U18 schoolboy rugby, but I bet some of the GPS boys didn't see it coming.

A good thing, no doubt, as it shows the selectors do look for the best talent available, and aren't geared towards selecting the best team from the chosen few (however that might be determined), as some correspondents in these threads seem to think is the case.

 

[10to12]

I heard the same from a disinterested observer. It's a damning indictment on the state of Heaven's game in NSW (and QLD?) when a non GPS lad is seen as a bolter despite playing the house down.

CnP. I think your giving too much credence to this forum. Its a bit like getting your view of the world from the Daily Telegragh.

 

[Inside Shoulder]

The other aspect is to look at how close both GPS v CAS and CHS games were in 1s.
That immediately opens up selection opportunities that are closed if the score is a blowout.

 

[Rugby from the backrow]

Its a bit like getting your view of the world from the Daily Telegragh.

I find this to be a rather tasteless class remark which only reflects on the writers opinions

 

[Sideline Eye]

thanks Cattle Dog. Glad I didn't stay up waiting. Looks like some strong teams. Now for an all NSW final

Well, Cattle Dog, that was very prophetic of you...

 

[sarcophilus]

Its a bit like getting your view of the world from the Daily Telegragh.

I find this to be a rather tasteless class remark which only reflects on the writers opinions

more poor judgement than poor taste
some posters don't get out nearly as much as those that have the parrot interpret the pictures in the telegraph for them

 

[Cattledog]

Well, Cattle Dog, that was very prophetic of you.

The dog has his nose in many bowls! Lol

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Who will be back for NSW Schools for 2015 to get a three-peat of NSW I v NSW II in the final:

One or two of these may be wrong, but here is my guess.


Off to Colts 2015
NSW 1 2014
1. LHP Phil BRADFORD, Hunter Sports High/CHS
2. H Ed CRAIG, Epping Boys High/CHS
3. THP Vunipola FIFITA, Newington/GPS
4. RL Tobias RUDOLF, The Scots College/GPS
6. BSF John WALKER, St Augustines/ISA
8. No 8 Angus CRICHTON, The Scots College/GPS
10. Fly half Connor O’SHEA, St Josephs College/GPS
13. OC Henry HUTCHISON, St Ignatius/GPS
14. Wing Connor WATSON, Knox Grammar/CAS
15. FB Guy PORTER, The Scots College/GPS
16. H James WIDDERS-LEECE, Knox Grammar/CAS
17. LHP Hosea FOTUKAVA, St Ignatius/GPS
19. L Andrew VATUVEI, Sarah Redfern High School/CHS
20. BR Hugh SUMMERHAYES, Cranbrook/CAS
21. Half Stephen KIRBY, Barker/CAS
22. IB David SMERDON, Barker/CAS
23. OB Sione AFU, St Augustines/ISA

NSW 2
1. LHP Meline LAIMANI, Newington/GPS
2. H Evan PRITCHARD, St Ignatius/GPS
3. THP Jacob SEDGMAN, The Scots College/GPS
5. LL Will FINLEY, Lisarow High School/CHS
6. BSF Nick BURKETT, Barker/CAS
7. OSF Declan MOORE, St Andrews Cathedral School/ISA
8. No 8 James LOUGH, St Augustines/ISA
9. Half Nick DUFFY, St Josephs College/GPS
10. Fly half James DAY, Oakhill/ISA
11. Wing Billy FREEMAN, St Ignatius/GPS
16. H Matt SERHON, Newington/GPS
18. THP Francis BROWN, MacKillop/CCC
19. L Beau PETTERSON, St Ignatius/GPS
20. BR Jum WOODHILL, Shore/GPS
21. Half Harry EMERY, Shore/GPS
22. IB Will McDONALL, St Josephs College/GPS
23. OB Jayden WRIGHT, Hunter Sports High/CHS


Combined States 2014
1 Peter IVIC Belmont High School
2 James WILKINSON St Edward’s College, Gosford
3 Jack BOWDITCH St. Ignatius’ College
5 Kieran BONIN South Hills High School
6 George LEHMANN The King’s School
8 Koim WINGTI St Joseph's Hunters Hill (Withdrew)
8. Lukhan LEALAIAULOTO-TUI (John Edmondson HS)
10. Joshua THORNDYKE Gosford High School
11 Lucas PRICE Knox Grammar
12 Ned YEOMANS Kinross Wolaroi School
14 Ben FONTAINE St Augustine's College
15 Kirt ANTHONY St Edward’s College Gosford



Returning 2015
NSW 1
5. LL Tom PIRODDI, Newington/GPS
7. OSF Lachlan ANDERSON, Oakhill College/ISA
9. Half Harrison GODDARD, Oakhill/ISA
11. Wing Sepesa TAROGI, Newington/GPS
12. IC Luke LOUGH, St Augustines/ISA
18. THP Will McRAE, St Augustines/ISA

NSW 2
4. RL Nathanial GITTOES, St Josephs College/GPS
13. OC Simon KENNEWELL, Newington/GPS
12. IC Joe WILLIAMS, Knox/CAS
14. Wing Tom WRIGHT, St Josephs College/GPS
15. FB Jack McGREGOR, St Ignatius/GPS
17. LHP Harry JOHNSTON-HOLMES, Merewether High School/CHS

Combined States 2014
17. Jack NETTLETON St Augustine’s College
21. Joshua OXLEY St Stanislaus’ College

So NSW I 2015
1. LHP Harry JOHNSTON-HOLMES, Merewether High School/CHS
2. H Jack NETTLETON St Augustine’s College
3. THP Will McRAE, St Augustines/ISA
4. RL Nathanial GITTOES, St Josephs College/GPS
5. LL Tom PIRODDI, Newington/GPS
6.
7. OSF Lachlan ANDERSON, Oakhill College/ISA
8.
9. Half Harrison GODDARD, Oakhill/ISA
10. Fly Half Jack McGREGOR, St Ignatius/GPS
11. Wing Sepesa TAROGI, Newington/GPS
12. IC Luke LOUGH, St Augustines/ISA
13. OC Joe WILLIAMS, Knox/CAS
14. Wing Simon KENNEWELL, Newington/GPS
15. FB Tom WRIGHT, St Josephs College/GPS

NSW II 2015
Vacancies at all positions less #9
9. Half Joshua OXLEY St Stanislaus’ College



Edit: List modified as per feedback below.

 

[Cattledog]

[long quote of previous post deleted by Mods]

Thanks HJ ....That looks very promising ....Bring on 2015!

 

[Tahspark]

HJ, you can remove Porter from your list. He's in year 12 and not doing pathways. Unless he picks up one of the 3 remaining spots or is a replacement due to an injury, he won't be an Oz schoolboys tourist to NZ.

Like many posters on other threads I find his non-selection staggering. IMHO he's the second best 17 y.o. back in the country behind Hutchison.

Will be keen to see where he plays post-school in 2015.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Thanks @Tahspark. OP edited.

 

[Elfster]

Who will be back for NSW Schools for 2015 to get a three-peat of NSW I v NSW II in the final:

One or two of these may be wrong, but here is my guess.

NSW 2
12. IC Joe WILLIAMS, Knox/CAS

I believe he may be a year 11.

 

[sarcophilus]

Probably should be in a new thread though it may be a little early

/. . ./
Returning 2015
So NSW I 2015 "Incumbents"
1. LHP Harry JOHNSTON-HOLMES, Merewether High School/CHS
2. H Jack NETTLETON St Augustine’s College
3. THP Will McRAE, St Augustines/ISA
4. RL Nathanial GITTOES, St Josephs College/GPS
5. LL Tom PIRODDI, Newington/GPS
6.
7. OSF Lachlan ANDERSON, Oakhill College/ISA
8.
9. Half Harrison GODDARD, Oakhill/ISA
10. Fly Half Jack McGREGOR, St Ignatius/GPS
11. Wing Sepesa TAROGI, Newington/GPS
12. IC Luke LOUGH, St Augustines/ISA
13. OC Joe WILLIAMS, Knox/CAS
14. Wing Simon KENNEWELL, Newington/GPS
15. FB Tom WRIGHT, St Josephs College/GPS

NSW II 2015
Vacancies at all positions less #9
9. Half Joshua OXLEY St Stanislaus’ College
Edit: List modified as per feedback below.

The above are players that were successful this year
some of the players below have been mentioned as stand outs within their age, association and club. I am sure there will be plenty of posters that want to mention Third grade Joeys or Kings players as potential NSW School Boys reps
I am not excluding country players this is a list of city(Sydney) u/17 reps playing club rugby and possibly Colts that may well be available for the schools U/18 comp next year

no free rides for those above there are CAS CHS CCC and ISA players in this list

just a little light for any "Dark Horse"


1 Nicholas White Manly
2 Cyprus Tutunoa Manly
3 Tyrell Thorson Eastwood
4 Tim Anstee Eastwood
5 Lachlan MacMahon Warringah
6 Jonathan Chapman West Harbour
7 Bailey Dalton Warringah
8 Kirk Stephan-Tuavai West Harbour
9 Sam Reimer Gordon
10 Michael Yarham Eastwood
11 Denzel Singleton Eastwood
12 Koheleti Vaitaiki West Harbour
13 Sam Tapa Eastwood
14 Jayden Stokes Eastwood
15 Fraser Toohey Warringah
16 Andrew Graham Eastwood
17 Daniel Harvey Eastwood
18 Phillip Roberts Eastwood
19 Kyle Cotton Eastwood
20 Ben Murphy Warringah
21 John-Louis Jones West Harbour
22 Brandon Marsh Gordon
23 Dan Stephens Southern Districts

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Yeah my list was probably a little early, but useful to summarise for next year while the "iron is hot" as it were.

You are right about U17's from this year giving it a read hot go for next years schools team.

There is at least one of the 2013 SJRU U17's that has made it to 2014 NSW Schools and on to 2014 Aust Schoolboys.