National U/16 Championships 2012

[Inside Shoulder]

IS just doesn't work that way. They have no say in it. Big result for ACT !!!

GOOD - I will take great delight in setting her straight about it

 

[George Smith]

Match Report - Game 6 (Sydney v Brumbies)
Tuesday 2 October, 2012

The Brumbies took the game to Sydney this morning and came away with a well deserved win. The game was tough and close with several game critical moments. The loss to Sydney a few weeks ago meant nothing to the Brumbies with 5 new players who added speed and straightness to their attack.

Apparently the match Officials last night had been talking about team discipline and yellow cards on day 1. Maybe it was this discussion or just what the ref saw in front of him but either way he hammered the Sydney team for offside around the rucks and mauls not allowing them to get any consistency or momentum. Brumbies took advantage of this and kept themselves within reach of Sydney trailing 8 points at half time.

With the score 12-20 the Brumbies ran on for the second half with self confidence and resolve. Sydney's captain and tearaway flanker, Conor Menzies confused the supporters on the bank by moving onto the left wing. Coach Rivers also brought on his subs thinking (?) his team will run away with the game. Much to his malaise the southerners were about to cause an upset. Flanker Burkett got his second yellow card in as many games for not knowing the law at the breakdown and star fullback Nic Clancy was also given a yellow card for what appeared too many teams indescretions. The Brumbies' backs now had the space they were thwarted of in the first half. They quickly scored 3 unanswered tries to put the game and the supporters in a lather with the score 29-20. The next turning point came when Brumbies captain and hooker Suita Tai left the field in considerable pain to his lower leg and shortly later flyhalf Jordan Hope was yellow carded for a dangerous tackle. Sydney were coming back at the Brumbies who started giveing nervous and careless penalties away as the game was closing out. With a few minutes left Jack Clancy (flyhalf) found his twin running straight to score near the posts. With the Sydney team rushing back for the restart the conversion missed and an anxious last few minutes was played out without score but much enthusiam from both teams!

Final whistle and Brumbies won 29-25. Well done.

 

[Jasdec]

Would be interesting to see how many of the NSW and SJRU team members are country based. ie boarders or selected from the country schools teams?? any ideas??
It is just a question without going into a "State of Origin" debate.
Is this mirrored in the senior ranks?

 

[Welzsh]

Apparently a great game by Victoria today but need to know how to close games out. However, hats of to QLD Reds for soaking up the pressure and taking their opportunities. That's Rugby!!

 

[Welzsh]

Should be a great game Thursday between Sydney & QLD Reds for the decider!!

 

[Inside Shoulder]

Should be a great game Thursday between Sydney & QLD Reds for the decider!!

Doesnt that ignore George's post above - ACt beat Sydney

 

[Welzsh]

Doesnt that ignore George's post above - ACt beat Sydney

Yes but Sydney have the 2 bonus points. Im from Victoria so no bias here. Just my thoughts. Whoever wins on Thursday will be top!

 

[George Smith]

Welzsh is correct.The Comp Manual states:

8.5 Determining Pool Positions - Division 1
In the event that two (2) teams are equal in their pool at the end of the pool match series, their positions will be determined using the following ordered protocol: -
(i) The winner of their head to head match in that pool;
(ii) The team that scored the greater number of tries in that match;
(iii) The team with the greater differential of “for” points compared to “against” points in all their pool matches;
(iv) The team scoring the greater number of tries in the pool matches;
(v) If the above cannot distinguish between teams, the Championship Director or Nominee will conduct a draw "from a hat" to determine the finalist.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Other scores from today:
QLD White 28 (4T/C) v NSW Country 7 (1 T/C)
NSW SChools 48 (8T, 4C) v WA 8 (1T, 1P)
QLD Red 13 (2T, 1P) v Vic 8 (1T. 1P)

 

[en_force_er]

If Vic beats ACT (which sounds unlikely but possible given both teams' form across both games) then that'd be a very messy looking pool.

It looks unfair on paper that WA and Country are in the same pool as they look to be the weakest 2 teams at the tournament. Obviously I'm not pointing fingers, it's not like the organisers could know but it's still disappointing.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Interesting observation on Ruck/maul penalties in the Juniors game v ACT. Queensland White were on the receiving of a lot of R/M Penalties. Something like 16 - 5. NSW Schools were pinged about 10 times to 4 or 5 as well.

Offences were: Offside, Not releasing player, not releasing ball, or Off feet at Ruck.

Seems refs are being briefied to look for these offences across the board.

 

[George Smith]

That is also handled by the Comp Manual!

In the event that three (3) teams are equal in their pool at the end of the pool match series, their positions will be determined using the following ordered protocol:-
(i) The team with the greater differential of "for" points compared to "against" points in all their pool matches;
(ii) The team scoring the greater number of tries in the pool matches; (iii) If the above cannot distinguish between teams, the Championship Director or
Nominee will conduct a draw "from a hat" to determine the finalist.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

..../snip/....

It looks unfair on paper that WA and Country are in the same pool as they look to be the weakest 2 teams at the tournament. .......

I think if you ask the boys from Schools and QLD White, they may have a different view regarding how hard and tough the boys from WA are. The scoreline may flatter Schools, but they were made to work very hard for their points, and to keep WA out.

There are some very talented boys in the Schools team that are playing with confidence. They seem a step above the others (so far).

QLD White seemed to be in cruise control today. Scoring at will from scraps of possession.

WA have plenty of talent, but as per some scribes advice, they seemed to run out of steam in the end. Their scrum outperformed Schools and are not easy beats. NSW had their "A" team on for most of the game, although something you will not see in an international game, the last few minutes of the game, they finished with no 4, No 5, and No 1 playing as 6, 7 and 8 respectively.

Country were able to dominate possession and position for much of the game vs White. They just lacked a knockout punch to capatilise.

IMHO the WA boys would perform with merit in Pool B.

 

[George Smith]

I think if you ask the boys from Schools and QLD White, they may have a different view regarding how hard and tough the boys from WA are. The scoreline may flatter Schools, but they were made to work very hard for their points, and to keep WA out.

There are some very talented boys in the Schools team that are playing with confidence. They seem a step above the others (so far).

QLD White seemed to be in cruise control today. Scoring at will from scraps of possession.

WA have plenty of talent, but as per some scribes advice, they seemed to run out of steam in the end. Their scrum outperformed Schools and are not easy beats. NSW had their "A" team on for most of the game, although something you will not see in an international game, the last few minutes of the game, they finished with no 4, No 5, and No 1 playing as 6, 7 and 8 respectively.

Country were able to dominate possession and position for much of the game vs White. They just lacked a knockout punch to capitalise.

IMHO the WA boys would perform with merit in Pool B.

The lads from WA (along with Vic) struggle in these comps against boys who play 10-17 hard games each season. If you compared their athletic talent against any of the players from the more fancied teams they wouldn't miss a beat. This is why the ARU puts on this tournament so these players can experience top quality rugby against the best in the country (for their age). At the same time the ARU can "see" these players in a competitive situation and ascertain where their development is at the moment.

 

[10to12]

I think if you ask the boys from Schools and QLD White, they may have a different view regarding how hard and tough the boys from WA are. The scoreline may flatter Schools, but they were made to work very hard for their points, and to keep WA out.

There are some very talented boys in the Schools team that are playing with confidence. They seem a step above the others (so far).


WA have plenty of talent, but as per some scribes advice, they seemed to run out of steam in the end. Their scrum outperformed Schools and are not easy beats. NSW had their "A" team on for most of the game, although something you will not see in an international game, the last few minutes of the game, they finished with no 4, No 5, and No 1 playing as 6, 7 and 8 respectively.

Country were able to dominate possession and position for much of the game vs White. They just lacked a knockout punch to capatilise.

IMHO the WA boys would perform with merit in Pool B.

HJ , Totally agree with you. Schools took todays game very seriously with keeping their A team on for most of the game. Schools worked very hard to put that score together and in both halves when they relaxed a little WA took it to them. Schools is playing a great form of disciplined Rugby, and I'm sure that both WA and Country would be in the mix if they were in the other pool.
Interesting that their 4 and 5 both great locks at this age can slot into the loosies roll and the team still dominates at the breakdown !!They play 6 and 8 for their schools
Oh the joy of schoolboy rugby.

 

[10to12]

Interesting thought on Nick Burkett yellow card today. It appears that his technique of "grass cutting" hitting very low around the ankles of opposing players at the ruck and maul , something that he has done for the last few seasons without penalty is catching the ire of the refs. Maybe needs a technique change?? I'm sure its being taught at the gold squad, maybe he's just too good at it

 

[George Smith]

HJ , Totally agree with you. Schools took todays game very seriously with keeping their A team on for most of the game. Schools worked very hard to put that score together and in both halves when they relaxed a little WA took it to them. Schools is playing a great form of disciplined Rugby, and I'm sure that both WA and Country would be in the mix if they were in the other pool.
Interesting that their 4 and 5 both great locks at this age can slot into the loosies roll and the team still dominates at the breakdown !!They play 6 and 8 for their schools
Oh the joy of schoolboy rugby.

As previously mentioned in a G&G thread; a common practice these days at junior rep levels is to have a loose five. That is, the 4,5,6,7,8 are all back rowers but can only be accommodated in rep teams by displacing the specialist lock who will only develop in later years.

 

[George Smith]

Interesting thought on Nick Burkett yellow card today. It appears that his technique of "grass cutting" hitting very low around the ankles of opposing players at the ruck and maul , something that he has done for the last few seasons without penalty is catching the ire of the refs. Maybe needs a technique change?? I'm sure its being taught at the gold squad, maybe he's just too good at it

That is not the "issue" with this Gordon player. It is at the breakdown, AFTER the tackle has been made that he digresses.
It cannot happen at the R&M as the Law requires all players to come "thru the gate" and "bind" as you enter. If the player does not "bind" onto their opponent or own team player then it is illegal.
The "grass cutter" technique is used to bring the ball carrier down and came across to junior rugby from league and predominately is used by players from Manly and also from the Western Zone. Refs have been on the case for some years now.

Having said this Tatafu Polota-Nau is chronicly guilty of the "grass cutter" and I am sure is placing his health a jeopardy. He appears to continually play without his "full faculty".

 

[Inside Shoulder]

That is not the "issue" with this Gordon player. It is at the breakdown, AFTER the tackle has been made.
It cannot happen at the R&M as the Law requires all players to come thru the gate and bind as you enter. If the player does not "bind" onto their opponent or own team player then it is illegal.
The "grass cutter" technique came across to junior rugby from league and predominately is used by players from Manly and also from the Western Zone. Refs have been on the case for some years now.

GS can you explain the tackle - I dont think I've seen it

 

[elementfreak]

Interesting thought on Nick Burkett yellow card today. It appears that his technique of "grass cutting" hitting very low around the ankles of opposing players at the ruck and maul , something that he has done for the last few seasons without penalty is catching the ire of the refs. Maybe needs a technique change?? I'm sure its being taught at the gold squad, maybe he's just too good at it

It's an automatic YC in Vic for a grass cutter tackle across the board and as it should be. Diving in with the shoulder at someone's knees is a poor act and the player deserves to be sat down.