AIC Rugby 2018

[Garry Owens]

Yeah I like Roszka at 8 as well on this team . If he's your primary carrier it is a big ask of him to be the cornerstone of your scrum as well

I reckon Lachlan McKarzel can fill the 3 role strongly

 

[Happyman]

Couldn’t agree more, although the director has become somewhat of the head of sports puppet it seems, he’s just the friendly face of rugby who is told what to do.

Seems pretty salty HLF

Lauries has made some pretty big changes this year and now at least have a gym that if not operated out of a cupboard. They will struggle this year as they just don't have the talent in the age group so will have to run a lot of grade 11's. The new coach is a SAFA and well credentialed so lets just see what happens.

For mine the picks are St Pats and MCA to fight it out.
Then Padua, Iona, SLC, Villa, St Peters, Eddies

 

[pundit]

So who are the players to watch from each school this year? Any dark horses to make rep teams?

 

[Confucius Say]

Bonjour pundit, I refer you to page one posts of the thread. Plath from Iona one to watch with the good heritage. Might be 15 or 10.
There also is a very good 15 at Villla. Both boys at Easts.

 

[Jets]

QLD under 16 reps - 2017

• Padua - Bruce Tevaga and Danny Heenan
• MCA - Ben Geraghty, Blake Roszka, Lachlan Tenison-Woods and John Downes
• Iona - Sam Finocchario and Darcy Stevens
• Pats - Bradley Kuhn and Louis Maritz
• St. Eds - Romeo Tanielu, Dominic Luafalealo and Setafano Paese
• Peters - Jordon Moko
• Villa and Lauries = ?

I believe that young Romeo has crossed the road for his schooling in 2018.

 

[Garry Owens]

Noah Zuna too huh Jets ? ( West Moreton Anglican )

 

[Jets]

That's the word on the street. IGS to have a big pack, but that's a discussion for a different thread.

 

[Galloper]

That's the word on the street. IGS to have a big pack, but that's a discussion for a different thread.

Quite so, but when was the last time IGS didn't have a big pack?

BBC cop a lot of flak for not yet getting the desired return on their investment, but is it fair to say that IGS escapes the same kind of scrutiny given their many years of mediocre First XV results?

 

[Ali Barber]

Very quiet in here so I thought I'd post an early version of the MCA First XV and see whether we can get some predictions for the other schools:

1. Liam O'Kelly
2. Ben Byrne
3. Blake Roszka
4. Jacob Heinke
5. Ben Geraghty
6. Lachlan Howse
7. Dougal Perrers
8. John Downes

9. Luke Ford
10. Zach Hogan
11. Lachy Tennison-Woods
12. Kale Van Dugteren
13. Zac Brooks
14. Elias Marjiliwa
15. Nick Loughnan

Inose Nadolo has left Ashgrove to finish school in Auckland, so a wing spot opens up. Reasonably big loss, but his defence was a bit flaky last year and plenty of options in the outside backs so not a real problem there.

Centres are a bit of a lottery, really depends on where Dave Miles wants to play last year's wings LTW and Van Dugteren. Zac Brooks played 13 for the 16A's last year and also made the Qld U16 RL side, so I'd expect him to get a run somewhere.

I had Harry Ritter pencilled in at 15 but have heard that he might be concentrating on RL this year, Loughnan was the 15 for 16A's last year and goes OK.

Forward pack fairly predictable in terms of names, but positions might vary a bit.

MCA will be very keen to have Roszka running the footy as much as possible so don't be surprised to see him at 8 despite playing 3 for U16 Qld Red last year.

Downes could be anywhere in the back 5 bar openside flanker. Very mobile, he's benching 150kg at 16 and Australian weightlifting champ but yet to show as much on the footy field as he does in the gym. Maybe this is his year?

Anyway, that's my first draft, anyone else prepared to have a go?

I watched Roszka a few of times in both codes last year and he's very quick for a big strong bloke. I took my son for driving lessons to watch a couple of the U16 league games against Valleys - Valleys are like Brothers Rugby - everybody wants to see them get beaten. Our kids have allegiance to Norths RL and Nudgee College. Valleys is made up of nearly all AIC players, Padua - Heenan, Taylor (injured), Pezzimetti. St Pats - Louis Moritz, StateHigh - Luke Neisen. MCA - Ritter, Brooks, Rozka, TWoods.
Rozka is the most mobile forward by a long way. Brooks seems to always be there in selection and he is very much a forward and if MCA played him in the centres in the U16s, then they're seeing something we didn't. He's solid in front on defense but would be the slowest centre in both codes and likes his rests. MCA have a couple who like their rests in the forwards. Rozka would beat his team mates over 100 metres carrying his schoolbag by daylight to second.
From the AIC teams, Rozka, Geraghty, Heenan, Twoods played very well for Qld Reds U16. The big fella Downs went ok in the White Team, and Louis Moritz played well for White for his chances and should play 15 for SPC. Geraghty will be MCA choice 4 or 5 for sure. Downs will fit in there somewhere but he'll have to work for it. AIC were well represented in the Aust Championships. I think Heenan and Twoods were the only AIC players to make the Australian U16 Team named after the National carnival. Both were consistently best on field in the backs all week. I think whoever doesn't blink out of SPC, Padua and MCA will win 2018. i don't think Iona can match these 3. Plath will worry anyone he plays except the big three. The rest should line up now for the Wooden Spoon. Its a tragedy that Downlands are not in this competition. Are any AIC boys in the Reds U18 Development? I watched two Downlands games against the GPS schools last year and they have some talent there. They can't be left out any longer. They need to be in either GPS or AIC next year.

 

[Ali Barber]

Very quiet in here so I thought I'd post an early version of the MCA First XV and see whether we can get some predictions for the other schools:

1. Liam O'Kelly
2. Ben Byrne
3. Blake Roszka
4. Jacob Heinke
5. Ben Geraghty
6. Lachlan Howse
7. Dougal Perrers
8. John Downes

9. Luke Ford
10. Zach Hogan
11. Lachy Tennison-Woods
12. Kale Van Dugteren
13. Zac Brooks
14. Elias Marjiliwa
15. Nick Loughnan

Inose Nadolo has left Ashgrove to finish school in Auckland, so a wing spot opens up. Reasonably big loss, but his defence was a bit flaky last year and plenty of options in the outside backs so not a real problem there.

Centres are a bit of a lottery, really depends on where Dave Miles wants to play last year's wings LTW and Van Dugteren. Zac Brooks played 13 for the 16A's last year and also made the Qld U16 RL side, so I'd expect him to get a run somewhere.

I had Harry Ritter pencilled in at 15 but have heard that he might be concentrating on RL this year, Loughnan was the 15 for 16A's last year and goes OK.

Forward pack fairly predictable in terms of names, but positions might vary a bit.

MCA will be very keen to have Roszka running the footy as much as possible so don't be surprised to see him at 8 despite playing 3 for U16 Qld Red last year.

Downes could be anywhere in the back 5 bar openside flanker. Very mobile, he's benching 150kg at 16 and Australian weightlifting champ but yet to show as much on the footy field as he does in the gym. Maybe this is his year?

Anyway, that's my first draft, anyone else prepared to have a go?

Off the hotline from a St Pats informer who with his Padua partner say they like the Team you put up there Galloper. Say there's plenty of holes in it for them and thinks MCA should keep it exactly as you have it. Thinks your 10 will be probably end up Hogan and Kale Van will go to Fullback and Woods will be No.12. The rest of the backline is a lottery. TWoods and Kale Van are the only real defenders who can tackle front on and on the move - does't think any of the others can slide, drift or catch a running defense according to them. SPC informer was surprised Woods was at Ash this year as his word was Heenan (Padua) and Woods were being poached by the one GPS school during the xmas holidays. Both are at their respective schools. Very naughty. That doesn't go on does it ?

 

[Galloper]

Off the hotline from a St Pats informer who with his Padua partner say they like the Team you put up there Galloper. Say there's plenty of holes in it for them and thinks MCA should keep it exactly as you have it. Thinks your 10 will be probably end up Hogan and Kale Van will go to Fullback and Woods will be No.12. The rest of the backline is a lottery. TWoods and Kale Van are the only real defenders who can tackle front on and on the move - does't think any of the others can slide, drift or catch a running defense according to them. SPC informer was surprised Woods was at Ash this year as his word was Heenan (Padua) and Woods were being poached by the one GPS school during the xmas holidays. Both are at their respective schools. Very naughty. That doesn't go on does it ?

Thanks Ali, some interesting stuff there.

Padua and SPC are of course free to plan on the basis of my "first draft" team, but maybe it's lucky for MCA that I'm just a very casual, not particularly well-informed observer and not a selector.

I've struggled with Brooks most of all, as I've only watched him play for 30 minutes or so and put him at 13 because I'm not sure where else he can play in Union. He might easily be coming off the bench, but as the only AIC boy in the Qld RL side last year he must have something going for him.

I've already suggested that Roszka might play at 8, sounds like that's a good chance to happen.

Whatever, trials and the upcoming NZ tour will tell us a lot more about who will be playing where.

MCA have Padua at home in round 1, and I have to say I'm a bit mystified why some are pumping Padua up as premiership chances. Sure, Heenan is an excellent player, Bruce T is a massive presence but he's still no Lachlan Connors. Who are the support cast for those two? Historically, games between MCA and Padua in this age group have not been particularly close.

As for SPC, I saw Ash put more than 50 on them in both 16A's and First XV last year so have some doubts about their depth. I know they have a lot coming back, but apart from Maritz and maybe Kuhn are these guys good enough to get over Ash this year? Maybe.....at least they play us at home.

When all is said and done, I'm pretty confident that Dave Miles and his staff know exactly what they're doing and will pick the right boys in the right spots for MCA. That might not be enough to win the comp, and injuries can change things very quickly, but if MCA doesn't get the job done this year it won't be due to a lack of planning or fitness.

 

[Hands like feet]

Hands like feet said: ↑

GO, like your odds there, I'll take MCA at $6, but yes Iona certainly the flagship team in that age group in previous years. Interesting you make mention of the two SLC midfielders, one would have thought those names would have featured in 1st XV last season, but the selection woes have been made very public previously. Our midfield let more traffic through than the gateway bridge in peak hour last year.

I think SLC will be massively up against it this year given the lack of exposure the u16s received last year, it takes probably 24months of training and playing to be a solid 1st XV player i.e good coaching in u15 and 16/1sts for some, which as we all know hasn't happened. Word is that the new coach has made promises of QLD jerseys to many players, not sure how he draws to that conclusion, hopefully he won't be publishing too many of the opposition 'game plans' from the previous season in the newsletter this year.

I reckon St Pat's will surprise a few people, very strong opens group, despite the lose of a key forward to Nudgee last year, depth will the telling factor for all schools.​

interesting that you say thing like this, who told you this mate? Do you even know the new coaches?

It's come from the boys themselves and their parents mate. We were the only AIC school last year not to have anyone selected in one of the 3 x QLD u15 Junior Gold or the QLD u16s teams - as an old boy, that is hard to take given our history, so making a QLD schools team I imagine will be difficult, not saying there's 1 or 2 who aren't capable, but I think the coach needs to understand the lay of the representative land before making such promises.

 

[Footy.Freak]

Any ideas of the front row from SLC, MCA or IONA?

 

[Confucius Say]

The front row for Iona look pretty settled with 2 QLD u16 boys certainty. The Laurie and Marist front row any one guess. Only February so changes galore before end of April season begin.

 

[Footy.Freak]

Whats everyone thoughts on the year 11 cohort merging together this year with the 12s to form the opens comp? Effectively removing the under 16 competition.

 

[The Whisperer]

Whats everyone thoughts on the year 11 cohort merging together this year with the 12s to form the opens comp? Effectively removing the under 16 competition.

It’s a massive shame to see it go, however it does now present an exciting time for 2nds rugby with this comp genuinely being the 2nd best XV a school can trot out. Just wondering how perennial big school like Marist and Laurie’s will go with the number of teams as both usually trot out 16E and 5th or 6ths.

 

[Footy.Freak]

Nothing will change until the Head of Sport is replaced. He has destroyed Lauries proud rugby culture. It is a pity, because the Head of Rugby means well IMO.

Agreed mate

 

[Rory Downes]

Hello fellow AICers,

What's everyone's starting lineup for Padua and Marist, considering its the biggest round one game.

 

[Rory Downes]

So who are the players to watch from each school this year? Any dark horses to make rep teams?

Through the ol grapevine, Brad Kuhn is reportedly targeting the Padua game. Saying it is more personal than professional. Confidently believing he will outplay the likes of Bruce Tevaga and Harrison Fox.

 

[Garry Owens]

This might be one of the strongest years for AIC in a long time that might lead to as many as 7 or 8 Representatives in Queensland Schoolboys ( 1 and 2 )

Wouldn't be surprised to see up to half a dozen from Combined Schools as well

Unheard of for the last few years