That wasn't one of the better performances by an Oz A Schools team I have seen; not that they always play in Sydney for me to see them. Three years ago they beat the same team 60-6. Mind you, most years the Oz A Schools teams reflect the general lack of depth in Oz rugby, just as an Oz A senior side would, and they were usually disappointing when they played.
The memory fades a bit but I can't remember a commanding Oz A schools team performance against a strong team since 2005.
That A Schools team had McCalman, Genia, Leali'ifano, Palmer, McCabe, Betham and Ben Lucas in it and they would have fitted right into the main side without affecting it too much.
But there weren't too many putting their hands up for the main team today.
It was not a bad 1st half from the lads at 22-0 and 3 tries to 0 but it was scrappy after oranges with just one try each. To be fair most of the reserves came on right after the break and it took them a while to find their feet and whilst they were doing so, they affected the players who had started the game.
I tell you what though: the lineouts were brilliant - just one not straight throw that I can remember and plenty of good prelim, good lifting and deft receptions by all the receivers. The scrum ball was safe most of the time though it was often untidy.
12. Tuttle had a better game than any during the tournament and because his 13 was often rushed he was forced to run himself and he did it well, often dishing to the winger, especially Ioane who got good pill. But he played outside centre in the 2nd half and didn't get a lot of ball.
The best player on the park was 10. Greene. He is one who got a pack your bags for the tour tick next to his name. Some of the passes he got were slow and ropey but he dealt with them as though nothing was amiss.
13. Milne got more ball in one game than he got in the tournament on the wing. They used him frequently running straight, inside Tuttle, and he could show his best feature: running in traffic. He also revealed his lack of pace in trying to run down a Tongan winger whereas 15. Porch passed Milne and nailed him. If he stays in our code after school Milne should wear the 12 jersey methinks.
In the forwards I liked 2. Postal and 3. Robertson and the two locks in the lineout.
PS: My mail is that McIntyre will play 10 on Saturday, Horwitz will be at 12 and Placid at 15.
PPS - the coach told me that Tuttle was the back up flyhalf today - but Greene played the whole game anyway.
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