Australian Schoolboys & National Championships 2014

[Sideline Eye]

He did pick up an injury but as said previously the tour isn't until November although if he doesn't play tomorrow that could have an impact

The tour starts on September 20th, but still lots of time to recover. A player can be selected for the National Schoolboys side even if they don't play one minute in this tournament, as long as the reason they aren't playing is injury. So, if a player has played, and is now injured, they can and will certainly be selected if they are the best player in that position for the tour, and have a chance of recovering in time.

 

[Monty Python]

With current Australian Schoolboys Hookers Sione Tai, and Alex Mafi injured, Ed Craig would have to be the Happy Hooker.

I realise you were being facetious HJ, but I don't know about being 'happy' with those injuries. Heard around the grounds yesterday from the ACT camp that Sione Tai - Suita - has been billeted by Ed Craig's family during SJRU carnivals in Sydney over recent years, and I know he'd be upset by that injury to his ACT mate. Notwithstanding that, I'm sure you are right - it no doubt opens up opportunities that might not have been there otherwise.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Relying on sources within the ACT camp, to find out the news that Sione has previously been billeted with the Craig family, is a rather round about way of finding out considering your alignment with Eastwood, and your usual snouts reasonably accurate knowledge of young Craig and his footballing endeavours.

Nevertheless, did your ACT snout reveal the nature of his injury. From my seat, it sounded like it was a fairly serious injury given the rather pained groans heard. Is it a season ender, or is there a chance he will be right in time for the tour?

 

[Monty Python]

Relying on sources within the ACT camp, to find out the news that Sione has previously been billeted with the Craig family, is a rather round about way of finding out considering your alignment with Eastwood.

Perhaps, but it was in chatting with some of their supporters that I heard it. Apparently it was several years ago in the 14s or 15s.

Nevertheless, did your ACT snout reveal the nature of his injury. From my seat, it sounded like it was a fairly serious injury given the rather pained groans heard. Is it a season ender, or is there a chance he will be right in time for the tour?

Here's an approximate quote from my chat yesterday: "broke his ankle and has had surgery on it he is out for at least 6 months"

 

[Ted S]

Yep. There were claims of him playing SG Ball Loig with the Chooks during the summer period.

Not just claims HJ, he was there. But dropped out once school RU required his presence.

 

[CB Set]

My pick for Australian Schoolboys starting XV

1-Gavin Luka (QLD 1)
2-Alex Mafi (QLD 1)
3-Vunipola Fifita (NSW 1)
4-Beau Petterson (NSW 2)
5-Reece Hewat (QLD 1)
6-Angus Chrichton (NSW 1)
7-Hugh Summerhayes (NSW 1)
8-Harley Fox (QLD 1)
9-Harrison Goddard (NSW 1)
10-Nicholas Jooste (WA)
11-Connor Watson (NSW 1)
12-Calvin Pritchard (QLD 1)
13-Henry Hutchison (NSW 1)
14-Sam Edwards (QLD 1)
15-Guy Porter (NSW 1)

 

[rugboy]

My pick for Australian Schoolboys starting XV

1-Gavin Luka (QLD 1)
2-Alex Mafi (QLD 1)
3-Vunipola Fifita (NSW 1)
4-Beau Petterson (NSW 2)
5-Reece Hewat (QLD 1)
6-Angus Chrichton (NSW 1)
7-Hugh Summerhayes (NSW 1)
8-Harley Fox (QLD 1)
9-Harrison Goddard (NSW 1)
10-Nicholas Jooste (WA)
11-Connor Watson (NSW 1)
12-Calvin Pritchard (QLD 1)
13-Henry Hutchison (NSW 1)
14-Sam Edwards (QLD 1)
15-Guy Porter (NSW 1)

I'd imagine the NSW 2s boys would be pretty aggrieved should they only claim one in the starting side as opposed to QLD 1s six after their narrow win yesterday and equal with WA's representation.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

There have been some quality performances across the board all week, and the Selectors have a tough gig to narrow the list down to the magic number.

Going on past history, there will be plenty of fan clubs disappointed, and there will be at least one, possibly two, surprise selection in the squad.

It is easy to look good in a dominant team. Very hard to impress the public in a beaten team, but the selectors look for individual contribution and potential rather than simply selecting the winning team with some invited guests from the other teams who "looked good".

 

[capybara]

Friday - Division II
VIC II 33 def NT 0
LMRDT 45 def SA 21

 

[capybara]

My Opinion - Possible Starters for Aus Schools/ Competition for positions.
1. Gavin Luka (QLD I)
2. Ed Craig (NSW I)/ Alex Mafi (QLD I) Injured??
3. Vunipolo Fifita (NSW I)
4. William Finley (NSW II)
5. Reece Hewat (QLD I)
6. Angus Scott-Young (QLD II)
7. Connor Moroney (QLD I)/ Lachlan Anderson (NSW I)
8. Angus Crichton (NSW I)
9. Nicholas Duffy (NSW II)/ Harrison Goddard (NSW I)
10. Jack McGregor (NSW II)/ Nicholas Jooste (WA)
11. Thomas Evans (ACT)/ Simon Kennewell (NSW II)
12. Calvin Pritchard (QLD I)/ Ned Yeomans (CS)
13. Henry Hutchison (NSW I)
14. Sam Edwards (QLD I)/ Connor Watson (NSW I)
15. Guy Porter (NSW I)

Possibles for Aus Schools team/Reserves
Francis Brown (NSW II)
Evan Pritchard (NSW II)
James Lough (NSW II)
Beau Peterson (NSW II)
Hugh Summerhayes (NSW I)
Tobais Rudolph (NSW I)
Jacob Elordi (QLD II)
Joey Fittock (QLD I)
Clifton Setu (QLD I)
Harley Fox (QLD I)
Robert Leota (VIC)
Timote Suita Tai (ACT) Injured??

Ive watched every game of the tournament and these boys really stand out for me. Happy to be corrected if anyone thinks otherwise.

 

[BIgz20]

Gents, have also been to the last 4 days games.. see below.
1. QLD 1 1
2. QLD 1 2
3. NSW 1 3
4. QLD 1 5
5. NSW 1 19
6. NSW 1 8
7. QLD 7
8. QLD 1 8
9. NSW 1 9/
10. NSW 11 15/
11. QLD 1 11
12. CS 12
13. NSW 1 13
14. NSW 1 14
15. NSW 1 15

16.
17. NSW 1 2
18. CS 3
19.NSW 1 7
20. NSW 1 20 or NSW 2 4 QLD 2 8
21. QLD 1 9
22. NSW 1 10
23. QLD 1 14
24. VIC 1 7
25. NSW 2 13

 

[Rhino147]

any standouts from ACT? I wasn't able to get to the games and was just wondering if anyone played to potential of a schoolboy spot

 

[BIgz20]

ACT
2 - Solid - but is inured
8 - busy but not aggressive enough in contact and poor post tackle reload
6 - The pick of the group. might snag a bench spot.

9- ok service - behind a pack not going forward
10- decent
22- dangerous and formed a good combo with playing at 10
15 - attacked well from unstructured plays.

 

[Monday's Expert]

Some simple equations on any national schoolboy's selections.
1. If you played Aust schools the year before - you'll be in again, don't sweat it.
2. If you've been picked in Aust Schools before and you are injured and there is enough time to recover - you'll be in again, don't sweat it.
3. If you are related to a former wallaby - ie Horan/Scott -Young - you'll be in because Australian rugby loves the PR symmetry afforded to these things. MacMillan was a better 7 than McCalman in 2013 but was his brother a wallaby? No - hence McCalman's selection. MacMillan usurped him 2/3 the way through the UK tour.
4. If you were in a Q2/ NSW2 or ACT side, irrespective of where you came in the finals, expect maybe 1 in the schools side and maybe 2-3 in the A side. CS - good luck - when one of yours gets picked it embarrasses a selector(s) somewhere.
5. If in doubt, the kid from NSW will always get the nod.
6. Glen Cronan continues to be afforded a selection voice when he has not even coached a school 1st XV, let alone a state side.
7. Philpotts and Wallace know their stuff. They should pick the side with input from an ARU rep and that should be that.

 

[Rhino147]

Thanks frank, would the number 6 from ACT, be Saunders?

 

[BIg Jake]

That was a good long explanatory rundown from Hugh Jarse.,Certainly put things in perspective didn't it.All of a sudden all the picks got broader. We have tournament rugby coming up as well as all the high level games these blokes will be playing before the end Sept.Good luck to all the boys.Lets look for quality staying power and players that do their jobs very well and will come on strong during the next three months.Thats the key to beating NZ which is all it should be about.

.

 

[BIgz20]

Thanks frank, would the number 6 from ACT, be Saunders?

Islander kid.. Strong carries Nd hit hard.. Work rate needed to be hirer.

 

[Brian Westlake]

Some simple equations on any national schoolboy's selections.
1. If you played Aust schools the year before - you'll be in again, don't sweat it.

2. If you've been picked in Aust Schools before and you are injured and there is enough time to recover - you'll be in again, don't sweat it.

3. If you are related to a former wallaby - ie Horan/Scott -Young - you'll be in because Australian rugby loves the PR symmetry afforded to these things. MacMillan was a better 7 than McCalman in 2013 but was his brother a wallaby? No - hence McCalman's selection. MacMillan usurped him 2/3 the way through the UK tour.

4. If you were in a Q2/ NSW2 or ACT side, irrespective of where you came in the finals, expect maybe 1 in the schools side and maybe 2-3 in the A side. CS - good luck - when one of yours gets picked it embarrasses a selector(s) somewhere.

5. If in doubt, the kid from NSW will always get the nod.
6. Glen Cronan continues to be afforded a selection voice when he has not even coached a school 1st XV, let alone a state side.
7. Philpotts and Wallace know their stuff. They should pick the side with input from an ARU rep and that should be that.

Gee Whiz... Where do you start on this bit of disgruntledness???

Point 1. Why?

Point 2. Again Why?

Point 3. Not a brother. MacMillan rates right up there, but obviously Jack McCalman has/had something that the selectors saw that he didn't.

Point 4. Go back through the past 5 years. It makes your argument sadly lacking.

Point 5. Why? When in the last 2 years NSW has soundly defeated Qld and the years before that were more than contested.

Point 6. If you are prepared to single out a gentleman that has been involved in schoolboy Rugby for longer than your children have been alive most likely, you best have the ammunition to back it up or kiss some severe buttock....
Glen Cronan is an absolute wealth of knowledge within Australian Rugby. maybe, instead of being bitter that your little expert isn't good enough, take heed of what he may have said to him and work on it. If you don't agree with this, BAD LUCK!!! And this is coming from a New South Welshman.
Glen has an absolute knowledge of Qld Rugby. He is a man that Australian SCHOOLBOY Rugby is proud of. And as many people on this forum know, I have had run ins over the years.

Point 7. Obviously the selectors do too. Move on

 

[Inside Shoulder]

Gee Whiz. Where do you start on this bit of disgruntledness???
Point 1. Why?
Point 2. Again Why?
Point 3. Not a brother. MacMillan rates right up there, but obviously Jack McCalman has/had something that the selectors saw that he didn't.
Point 4. Go back through the past 5 years. It makes your argument sadly lacking.
Point 5. Why? When in the last 2 years NSW has soundly defeated Qld and the years before that were more than contested.
Point 6. If you are prepared to single out a gentleman that has been involved in schoolboy Rugby for longer than your children have been alive most likely, you best have the ammunition to back it up or kiss some severe buttock..
Glen Cronan is an absolute wealth of knowledge within Australian Rugby. maybe, instead of being bitter that your little expert isn't good enough, take heed of what he may have said to him and work on it. If you don't agree with this, BAD LUCK!!! And this is coming from a New South Welshman.
Glen has an absolute knowledge of Qld Rugby. He is a man that Australian SCHOOLBOY Rugby is proud of. And as many people on this forum know, I have had run ins over the years.
Point 7. Obviously the selectors do too. Move on

Rarely, if ever, have i seen you this fired up Brian

 

[Brian Westlake]

Rarely, if ever, have i seen you this fired up Brian

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.