Australian Schoolboys & National Championships 2014

[Inside Shoulder]

I am sorry IS, but as you see, sometimes some people ONLY look at their particular little expert.
To question Glen Cronan's integrity makes my skin crawl.

no need to apologise

 

[Will Scully]

Any word on the merit squad?

 

[Lemons 2.0]

I haven't been at games but can anyone comment on how NSW I Connor Watson starting wing and NSW I Reserve Hooker Widders-Leece have been playing?

Chance to make Aus.Schoolboys?

 

[capybara]

I haven't been at games but can anyone comment on how NSW I Connor Watson starting wing and NSW I Reserve Hooker Widders-Leece have been playing?

Chance to make Aus.Schoolboys?

Connor Watson has been exceptional, definitely a good chance to make Aus Schools from what i've seen, Widders-Leece not too sure he can push for Schools, as the likes of Craig, Mafi and Pritchard have been brilliant.

 

[Monday's Expert]

Hi Brian

1&2. I'm pushed really hard to think of an occasion in the last 25 years where this hasn't happened. If I was coach and had a kid who'd been there, done that I'd be inclined towards him. Yes there was an element of the facetious here but I felt the comment was timely given there will be a frenzy about selections in the next 24 hours - I'm merely reminding people previous selections will be getting the call again and to scheme/tip the remaining positions with this in mind.

3. The Wallaby connection comment stands - watch it tomorrow these two will make the teams. I'm sure the kids can play - my question is - would they be looked at as much if their surname was different? Facetious - maybe but I understood this to be a forum where opinions could be expressed even if they challenge sacred cows.

4 &5. hey Brian - you go back through the teams, pal, - all the way back. You'll see the rough figures add up to 2 x as many boys from NSW/ACT as from Qld. Maybe go back to the 1969 tour to RSA where I think Qld got two boys in the whole party. Go back to when Q2 won for the first time in '06 - beating NSW1 and NSW2 and still got trumped at the selection table. Add those numbers up and see whose argument is "sadly lacking". I'm not saying this just to be smart - there are facts behind things I say and it irritates me to think my opinions could just be emotively dismissed by one who has not checked things like I have.

6. Wow - struck a nerve there! He doth protest too much. Look at the fact I raised and either refute it with your own facts or let it sit and put your bro-mance to one side. Cronan has NOT coached a schools 1st XV and has NOT coached at state level and yet is afforded a role as an ARFSU selector. I did not question his service to Australian schools rugby. Sorry that it spoils the framing of your response to this comment but my sons are interested in different sports, they have not missed a rugby selection so I have no personal axe to grind with the guy. I would rather see players take advice from an experienced coach.

7. So finally we are agreed and, yes, I am moving on.

 

[Inside Shoulder]

Hi Brian

1&2. I'm pushed really hard to think of an occasion in the last 25 years where this hasn't happened. If I was coach and had a kid who'd been there, done that I'd be inclined towards him. Yes there was an element of the facetious here but I felt the comment was timely given there will be a frenzy about selections in the next 24 hours - I'm merely reminding people previous selections will be getting the call again and to scheme/tip the remaining positions with this in mind.

3. The Wallaby connection comment stands - watch it tomorrow these two will make the teams. I'm sure the kids can play - my question is - would they be looked at as much if their surname was different? Facetious - maybe but I understood this to be a forum where opinions could be expressed even if they challenge sacred cows.

4 &5. hey Brian - you go back through the teams, pal, - all the way back. You'll see the rough figures add up to 2 x as many boys from NSW/ACT as from Qld. Maybe go back to the 1969 tour to RSA where I think Qld got two boys in the whole party. Go back to when Q2 won for the first time in '06 - beating NSW1 and NSW2 and still got trumped at the selection table. Add those numbers up and see whose argument is "sadly lacking". I'm not saying this just to be smart - there are facts behind things I say and it irritates me to think my opinions could just be emotively dismissed by one who has not checked things like I have.


7. So finally we are agreed and, yes, I am moving on.

David Horwitz and Harry jones off the top of my head - arguably clearer in both cases as to the fragility of incumbency in as much as they took the roller coaster ride in a single season.
Part of the reason for the numbers difference may lie in the fact that even today NSW has 50% more population and half the geographical area.
In 1971 - near enough to the time of the first tour - Qld had only 1.851m while NSW had 4.6m. I don't think there was a tournament from which selections were made in 1971.
The greater population density makes it easier to form teams and play games and harder on average to get in either NSW team.
In 2006 18 QLDers were picked in Oz Schools and Oz Schools A - i.e. more than the QLD selectors thought were good enough for QLD I's. There were 22 NSW players.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Fine sunny day down here in Sydney to set the scene for a grand day of footy.

BOM forecast might trouble the kickers and hookers for the main game, although the stronger winds may not arrive until later than forecast.

Mostly sunny. Morning fog patches in the west. Winds northwesterly and light, turning westerly and increasing to 25 to 35 km/h during the day.

http://www.bom.gov.au/nsw/forecasts/sydney.shtml?ref=hdr

My tip for the Final is that the NSW Team is guaranteed to win. Even Tom Waterhouse isn't offering odds.
Likewise the third place will be sewn up by the Queensland team, no surer thing that happening.
The other minor places will go to the team that wants to win more and plays better on the day, grasping the chances offered to them.

Good luck to all participants today. Team Rehab Selectors have already visited the tournament, let's hope they do not attend today.

For those lucky to be selected for the Schoolboys team to be announced today, congratulations. All those miserable training sessions over the years suddenly make sense. Stay fit. There are about 100 other kids who are keen to take your place if you get injured over the next 3 months. Don't let them get a sniff or you may end up like David Pocock: two injuries and suddenly the world's best OSF finds himself as second choice to Michael Hooper when he regains fitness.

For those not selected for Australian Schoolboys, don't despair, you have made your parents proud by getting selected for your State team/s and given joy to the unassociated spectators with your efforts this week. Stay fit. There is 3 months before the NZ tour, and there is always the possibility that you may get a phone call. Stay in the game if you can. Colts will be fun, and the fields become level as the Club Coaches are only interested in your week by week performance and attitude on the field and at training, and not your Schoolboy rugby pedigree.

 

[Inside Shoulder]

i was just trying to be polite and not single anyone out, the people reading this will understand what my BOTH meant.

there were more than 2 involved - unless this is an obscure mexican dialect.
Besides which Monday's Expert had some good points (I know nothing of the bloke he had a swing at) which I felt deserved investigation to see what hard figures said about a potential bias to NSW in selections over 40+ years.
You're not a mod. If you think its off topic report it.

 

[Rugby from the backrow]

there were more than 2 involved - unless this is an obscure mexican dialect.
Besides which Monday's Expert had some good points (I know nothing of the bloke he had a swing at) which I felt deserved investigation to see what hard figures said about a potential bias to NSW in selections over 40+ years.
You're not a mod. If you think its off topic report it.

I think we are getting a bit precious here!
I believe The mexican had good intentions
Sometimes it appears as if a few regulars treat this as their personal blog
Lets get back on the footy

 

[Stillnoidea]

Go back to when Q2 won for the first time in '06 - beating NSW1 and NSW2

In 2006 18 QLDers were picked in Oz Schools and Oz Schools A - i.e. more than the QLD selectors thought were good enough for QLD I's. There were 22 NSW players.

From what I could see it still seemed, however, most of those NSW boys made it into Schoolboys, while QLD made up more of the A's. Had there been no A side, like this year, then the numbers would not have appeared so "even".

 

[Whose That Guy]

Could we get an update of the final games on today, especially the NSW 1 V NSW 2 game and also a posting of the schoolboy team when it is announced.

 

[random2]

NSW 1 38 - defeat NSW 2 24

NSW 1s were up 38-0 at half time but the 2s came back in a tough contest.

Schools team should be announced any minute now

Wasn't there but heard QLD drew 26 all. QLD 1s scored in the bell to level it up after being down all game

 

[Inside Shoulder]

NSW 1 38 - defeat NSW 2 24

NSW 1s were up 38-0 at half time but the 2s came back in a tough contest.

Schools team should be announced any minute now

Wasn't there but heard QLD drew 26 all. QLD 1s scored in the bell to level it up after being down all game

Both sides almost out on their feet.
Could not see very many QLDers being picked on today's performances: the game was QLD IIs for the whole game so they let themselves down by conceding a draw.
NSW Is let themselves down by losing the second half so convincingly, with the building wind.
Probably 1 game too many for all concerned.
O'Shea should be the Aus 5/8.

 

[Ted S]

A couple of smokies from second half of the final today are 7,8 and 23 from NSW II.
The #7 was everywhere, the #8 made some good yards up the middle and the #23 together with Tom Wright showed up a few of the backs from the Is. (in the second half)

 

[Will Scully]

A couple of smokies from second half of the final today are 7,8 and 23 from NSW II.
The #7 was everywhere, the #8 made some good yards up the middle and the #23 together with Tom Wright showed up a few of the backs from the Is. (in the second half)

#23, unless the numbers changed, is Jayden Wright (no relation to Tom). Much better at FB or Inside than on the wing where he had mostly been played (from what I have heard).

 

[Inside Shoulder]

Agree re the 7 - was that Woodhill?
Agree about Wright though his first half showed his tendency to waste men around him - which is sometimes a winger's prerogative.
Hard to pick on just the last day's game but Goddard should be there or there abouts I think.

 

[Ted S]

#7 was Moore, started at blindside but played openside in the second half
Was heavily involved in at least 3 of the NSW IIs tries

 

[BraveandGame]

At what stage of the season is the NSW GPS comp? Not surprised the Qlders ran out puff given they have not played a game in anger yet this season.

 

[Inside Shoulder]

At what stage of the season is the NSW GPS comp? Not surprised the Qlders ran out puff given they have not played a game in anger yet this season.

Not just QLDers that looked tired and limping.
How do they pick the QLD teams then?

 

[Jasdec]

At what stage of the season is the NSW GPS comp? Not surprised the Qlders ran out puff given they have not played a game in anger yet this season.

2 comp games in. Some of the players have had numerous pre season games.