CAS Rugby 2017

[sidelineview]

Waverley cant afford to get cocky assuming they will beat Aloys but Round 2 is not until the 17th June, so if players with injuries are rested for this week's first round game it will give them a good chance to come back fit. Quite a few are vying for spots in the CAS teams and the make up for this year's CAS 1st XV is looking very promising.

Round 1 DateMatchScore
Sat 3 Jun, 00:00 Barker College - Trinity Grammar -
Sat 3 Jun, 00:00 Cranbrook School - Knox Grammar -
Sat 3 Jun, 00:00 Waverley College - St Aloysius' College -

Round 2 DateMatchScore
Sat 17 Jun, 00:00 St Aloysius' College - Barker College -
Sat 17 Jun, 00:00 Trinity Grammar - Knox Grammar -
Sat 17 Jun, 00:00 Waverley College - Cranbrook School -

CAS vs GPS on Tues 20th June
NSW teams (and Combined States) are chosen on the 24th June
The National Schools Championships - between the 2nd and 8th July.

Round 3 DateMatchScore
Sat 22 Jul, 00:00 Barker College - Waverley College -
Sat 22 Jul, 00:00 Cranbrook School - Trinity Grammar -
Sat 22 Jul, 00:00 Knox Grammar - St Aloysius' College -

Round 4 DateMatchScore
Sat 29 Jul, 00:00 Knox Grammar - Barker College -
Sat 29 Jul, 00:00 St Aloysius' College - Cranbrook School -
Sat 29 Jul, 00:00 Trinity Grammar - Waverley College -

Round 5 DateMatchScore
Sat 5 Aug, 00:00 Barker College - Cranbrook School -
Sat 5 Aug, 00:00 Trinity Grammar - St Aloysius' College -
Sat 5 Aug, 00:00 Waverley College - Knox Grammar

 

[Hasbeen]

Armchair/ Lee - I think your observations regarding Tom Humphrey are fair. In hindsight, I cant really disagree. Humphrey did have a very good game, and based on recent performances he should be pressing for CAS firsts selection. I think at the time of writing, I was just very impressed with the Knox lineout in which Mr Frost played an important role. Everyone sees the game through a different lens - I cant argue with your alternate/ aditional opinions.

I have watched Tom for some years now in school and club and in my humble view he has been way underrated. He is big, strong and fast.

 

[Hasbeen]

Very good news.

B Hardaker does not have a break, may/may not play against Aloys this week.

Would be better to rest him to make sure. I would love to see him play against Barker.

 

[Hasbeen]

Ha Ha . Lucy Morety . ironically that might be the way this Waverley team could be beaten . by baiting them.

What has set this Waverley side apart from others, is how disciplined they have been.

I think Knox and/or Barker are most likely to successfully try the baiting game . I guess time will tell

for what its worth I rate Reimer, and he looked very good against Cranners . however how he fares against Moretti and Cornish, will be the litmus test

The Moretti/Reimer clash will be the contest of the season. Two absolute animals with ball in hand......and I say that in a complimentary way...

 

[Hasbeen]

Good attempt wavesfordayzz, clearly you are a strong Waverley supporter and are close to the team, thus your knowledge.
Unfortunately there isn't a team member called Lucy (last time I checked that was a girls name) Morrety.

Barker may well be in the mix to win but they will need to improve when I last saw them v the Joeys 2nd.

Bring you Blue and Red scarf to the game at Hornsby(with a H), should be a beauty!

Agree. A bit of an ask.

 

[sidelineview]

Would be better to rest him to make sure. I would love to see him play against Barker.

I think we'd all like to see him play CAS first. Hopefully the young guns of the season so far are all fit after Round 2.

 

[Blazing Saddles]

^^^^^^^^^^^
Agree, the other bloke was better last Saturday, and Yates from Joeys (and Combined States last year) was close to MOTM for me.

I always like the athleticism of Frost but on most of the occasions I've seen him, I've wished he'd show more grunt in the tight stuff.

Still, mine is a small sample.
.

May be a small sample but very much on the money as always Lee.

 

[sidelineview]

May be a small sample but very much on the money as always Lee.

Therefore let him play to his strengths and make sure there's plenty of mongrel around him in the CAS forward pack.

Like Wright. Cornish. Moretti. Reimer. Stead. Cultrane

 

[SonnyDillWilliams]

having watched the Knox Joeys video, I agree with Barker having the potential to be able to topple Knox ... so definitely shaping up as a 3 horse race ... assuming Aloys doesn't surprise Waverley this Saturday.

I was thinking about Waverley's discipline and about last years scrum half, versus this year's ... and I have got to say I admire Bell

I haven't seen Bell giving any curry to referees, or engaging in push and shove, or generally drawing attention to himself

he is an unselfish player, gives great service, and has been big part of Waverley's backline doing well

so I know a lot of people like a scrum half to be a "pest", and everyones an individual, but I hazard a guess that Bell has been a breath of fresh air for the coaches

and almost wish he would be a bit more selfish, such that he might give himself a chance of deserved rep honours

 

[sidelineview]

Thats not a very good or accurate assessment of last seasons scrumhalf SDW.
I remember you giving him plenty of wraps.
Rather than being an attention seeking pest he was an aggressive tough running style of scrum half. He would put the opposition in 2 minds because he would run it from scrums and rucks as well as give good service to his backs.
Opposition coaches would put extra defenders on him around the rucks and scrums which would play into Waverley's hands who would then spin the ball out.
He also used to stand back as an extra fullback to run kicks back in general play.
He was also strong enough to defend as an extra forward.
He was good enough to play NSW2s and Aussie Baa baas.
And the coaches liked him for obvious reasons. Coaches like to win.

Bell is a different style of scrumhalf who gives impeccable service and he's smart and has a very good combination with his 10 Donaldson.
He is not as physical ir fast but is skillful and crafty.
Bell is worthy of playing CAS 1sts but the game plan adopted by the Waverley coaches is different with him in the team as compared to last seasons.
I wouldnt say one is better than the other just different and both good from a coaches perspective.

 

[WLF]

having watched the Knox Joeys video, I agree with Barker having the potential to be able to topple Knox . so definitely shaping up as a 3 horse race . assuming Aloys doesn't surprise Waverley this Saturday.

I was thinking about Waverley's discipline and about last years scrum half, versus this year's . and I have got to say I admire Bell

I haven't seen Bell giving any curry to referees, or engaging in push and shove, or generally drawing attention to himself

he is an unselfish player, gives great service, and has been big part of Waverley's backline doing well

so I know a lot of people like a scrum half to be a "pest", and everyones an individual, but I hazard a guess that Bell has been a breath of fresh air for the coaches

and almost wish he would be a bit more selfish, such that he might give himself a chance of deserved rep honours

Totally agree SDW,

He did score a very smart lone try from the scrum against Joeys, and he does do all the things you say, and suits the back line talent the Waves have on hand.

I also believe he, Donaldson and Hardaker should/deserve to be in the CAS1 as a combination, as it is that combo that has done so well against their GPS counterparts.

 

[WLF]

Thats not a very good or accurate assessment of last seasons scrumhalf SDW.
I remember you giving him plenty of wraps.
Rather than being an attention seeking pest he was an aggressive tough running style of scrum half. He would put the opposition in 2 minds because he would run it from scrums and rucks as well as give good service to his backs.
Opposition coaches would put extra defenders on him around the rucks and scrums which would play into Waverley's hands who would then spin the ball out.
He also used to stand back as an extra fullback to run kicks back in general play.
He was also strong enough to defend as an extra forward.
He was good enough to play NSW2s and Aussie Baa baas.
And the coaches liked him for obvious reasons. Coaches like to win.

Bell is a different style of scrumhalf who gives impeccable service and he's smart and has a very good combination with his 10 Donaldson.
He is not as physical ir fast but is skillful and crafty.
Bell is worthy of playing CAS 1sts but the game plan adopted by the Waverley coaches is different with him in the team as compared to last seasons.
I wouldnt say one is better than the other just different and both good from a coaches perspective.

That is a very accurate comparison...
and I agree!

 

[sidelineview]

Bell scored that smart sniping try against Joeys due to his mental alertness rather than through his physical strength. A scrum half like him may attract a critique such as "I wish he was a bit more selfish'', meaning he should run a bit more for himself but I think he's smart enough and experienced enough to know his own game.

He's quick between the ears so he'll sniff out opportunities close to the line but he wont be able to carry defenders over the line as some other players can.

He wont end up with a bag full of tries by the end of the season but he doesnt have to. As long as he's throwing those crisp short balls to his forwards and providing slick service to his backs left and right, he's doing his job and putting a smile on his coaches faces.

The other thing is not many people know how much a scrum half talks out on the field. Bell's a good talker and organiser and that's important as to how a team performs.

It will be interesting to see which way the selectors go; if they go with the Knox 9/10 combo or Waverley's Bell/Donaldson/Haraker combination or they mix them up. They may have a fair idea already.

 

[leftrightout16]

It will be interesting to see this year if any Cranbrook players will be selected for CAS with their current form and large amount of injuries. How rare would it be for a school to get no boys selected in either CAS teams?

 

[William88]

That's great news for the lad, Waves and CAS.

Exciting news for him and for his potential rep selections.

 

[WLF]

Exciting news for him and for his potential rep selections.

Yes W88 I am.

Regardless of school, a talent like his doesn't come along every year.
It would be hard not to see him again for most of the season.

And he deserves to reach his potential and reap his due rewards, and same for his team.

 

[WLF]

Waratahstowin, I have to disagree with you re Frost on Saturday. I have watched a number of his games over the past 2 years and by his high standards, I actually thought he was disappointing/quiet.

He is generally an asset (weapon) on lineout ball but he was quiet. He also didn't take one catch off a Joeys line out feed.

I personally felt that # 4 Tom Humphrey had a better all round game for Knox. Frost missed tackles and was ineffective at the breakdown.

If you want evidence, check out sidesteppas footage.

What's my point? All players have good days and bad days. Yes he is having a great year but Saturday was not an "excellent" game for Frost. He is human.

AS,

I just watched the entire Joeys V knox video.

My understanding,from a joeys mate, is that this Joeys team is young, principally a year 11 team, and some serious omissions in 12 and 13 in their back line. So next year and beyond is looking really good for the Joe boys!

That being the case, that performance v Knox, a big structured and drilled side was outstanding.

The Joeys speed, at the break down and around the park, essentially beat the big guys.

As a Waves supporter I was encouraged by seeing how Knox perform under pressure, shouldn't say it but think the Waves are well positioned v this Knox team.

 

[sidelineview]

having watched the Knox Joeys video, I agree with Barker having the potential to be able to topple Knox . so definitely shaping up as a 3 horse race . assuming Aloys doesn't surprise Waverley this Saturday.

I was thinking about Waverley's discipline and about last years scrum half, versus this year's . and I have got to say I admire Bell

I haven't seen Bell giving any curry to referees, or engaging in push and shove, or generally drawing attention to himself

he is an unselfish player, gives great service, and has been big part of Waverley's backline doing well

so I know a lot of people like a scrum half to be a "pest", and everyones an individual, but I hazard a guess that Bell has been a breath of fresh air for the coaches

and almost wish he would be a bit more selfish, such that he might give himself a chance of deserved rep honours

I'm not sure if you ingested too many magic mushies when you were younger SDW but here's a reminder of your comments regarding last season's scrum half for Waverley:

Tyzac Jordan . speed agility, the most razzle dazzle half back at the State Champs IMHO
tyzac jordan and mctaggart were stand outs for nsw 2s
TYzac speed/agility around scrum and breakdown was extraordinary
Tyzac was a freak .

I dont remember him giving curry to the referees but I do remember him drawing attention to himself by making breaks and scoring 8 tries for the season and then going onto higher Rep honours.
You'd have to check with the coaches to see if they thought he was a headache to them. I've got no doubt they would find your observation as bewildering as I do.

I do recall him being involved in some ''push and shove'' and more. He was that style of player, having plenty of mongrel in him and not being afraid to mix it with the opposition forwards. A tough little bugger. I dont recall him giving a lot of penalties away.

i dont think you'll find too many Waverley supporters who would agree with your strange assessment of him in retrospect.

The difference between last year's Waverley team and this years is that this years team has exploded out of the blocks and taken up where last years team left off; and I do mean Team. That is, playing confident running rugby backed by strong defence and aggressive forward play and good ball control.

Last year's forwards were labelled lightweights at the start of the season but developed into being just as dominant and skillful as the backs who were given all the accolades initially.

Last year's team took half a season to hit their straps before they started to play the brand of rugby the coaches were looking for. They worked through their problems well, one of which was lack of composure, to defeat Knox in the 2nd round to be co-premiers.

That was pretty satisfying for all concerned.

Some say this year's team is better than last years. I dont doubt that and good luck to them and all involved. Waverley rugby has hit a purple patch which is exciting for the Waverley community. We all know it goes in cycles.

They should secure a good representation of Rep players this season and the last round clash with Knox at Death Valley will be epic. Hopefully both teams will have remained undefeated by then to determine who takes home the Henry Plume Shield for 2017.

There is no point comparing individuals from the two teams, and especially not in negative terms.
Who's better?
Bell or Jordan?
Cornish or O'Sullivan?
Last season's Captain Drew-Morris or this years Donaldson?
Did they have better wingers last season in Mohi and Carr?
It makes for interesting conversation but I'd hazard a guess and say the discussion would centre around the positives and not the negatives.

Enjoy the show SDW as you enjoyed it last season.

 

[Armchair Selector]

On Saturday Joeys V Knox in the 13s Age Group, there were 2 abandoned matched due to serious injury, both I believe requiring Ambulance on the field.

Does anyone have an update on the condition of the Knox boys injured in the 13B game (Winger) and the 13A team (Hooker)

The thoughts of the entire Rugby community I am sure are with their families at this time.

 

[Lee Grant]

The season preview by William88 is on the home page now.

http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/cas-2017-season-preview/​

Thank you to those who contributed comments or wrote the segments - you were a great help.

If you have any remarks to make about the preview, please make them in the Discussion area at the bottom of the blog.

Then the boss will know that it's worthwhile for us to be blogging schools' stuff.

William has made a big call as to who is going to win the comp. Give it a click and write a comment.

Cheers

LG
.