New Blog Post: Australian Schools teams to play Tongan Schools

[G&GR News Bot]

At last the selection process for two Australian School teams is over and two teams of 23 players have been chosen. Each team will play the visiting Tongan U/18 Schools team this week (see details below).
On Day 1 and Day 2 six selectors looked at all the games. Each had a specialist category – the front row, 2nd row, back row, halves, centres, or back 3. They also had a secondary category to look at in case a boy could play lock or 6, flyhalf or fullback and in one case hooker or flanker. Afterwards they looked at the players with 6 different overviews.

There is always contention about the selection treatment of players who have committed to league or are rumoured to have done so, or will do so.

I spoke to the ASRU President, Br. Bob Wallace, during the tournament and he said that selectors pay no regard to this matter. He said that the ASRU philosophy is to give all lads a good rugby experience in the union code and if they ended up in league, so be it.

He said that a few years back they did things differently and lads had to declare one way or the other. It was a nightmare and counter productive.

He appreciated the views of others who said that spots should not be wasted on future league players but the selectors were basically all school teachers and they looked at things from a school and not an ARU or Wallabies point of view. Naturally, they hoped that many of the boys they picked went through to play for the Wallabies but it was not their main purpose.

AUSTRALIAN SCHOOLS TEAM TO PLAY TONGAN U18 SCHOOLS
AT ST MARYS RL STADIUM, 14TH JULY 6 PM
FIRSTSURNAMESCHOOLTEAM
JackCornelsenBrisbane Grammar SchoolQLD 1
JackDempseySt Ignatius CollegeNSW 1
LoloFakaosileaBrisbane Boys CollegeQLD 1
AndrewFerrisThe Kings SchoolNSW 2
LalakaiFoketiThe Kings SchoolNSW 2
MichaelGunnAnglican Church GrammarQLD 1
DavidHorwitzThe Scots CollegeNSW 1
HarryJonesThe Kings SchoolNSW 2
SiotameKavapaluRowville Secondary CollegeVIC
AndrewKellawayThe Scots CollegeNSW 1
JakeMcIntyreAlstonville High SchoolNSW 1
NeoriNadrukuSt Edmund’s CollegeACT
CameronOrrTrinity Grammar SchoolNSW 2
MatthewPhilipSt Augustine’s CollegeNSW 2
JonahPlacidToowoomba Grammar SchoolQLD 1
AaronPleashIpswich Grammar SchoolQLD 1
AngusPulverThe Shore SchoolCS
AndrewRobinsonSt Mary MacKillop CollegeACT
HarryRorkeSt Ignatius CollegeNSW 1
MoliSooaemalelagiRoxburgh Park Sec CollegeVIC
JimStewartThe Scots CollegeNSW 1
MitchellWhiteleySt Ignatius CollegeNSW 1
TomWilsonBarker CollegeNSW 1

AUSTRALIA A SCHOOLS TEAM TO PLAY TONGAN U18 SCHOOLS
AT ST IGNATIUS COLLEGE, RIVERVIEW, 11TH JULY 2:30 PM

FIRSTSURNAMESCHOOLTEAM
AdamDeckToowoomba Grammar SchoolQLD 2
SamGreeneBrisbane Grammar SchoolQLD 1
AlbertHemopoEndeavour Sports HighNSW 2
MontyIoaneAnglican Church GrammarQLD 1
JackJohnsonWaverley CollegeNSW 1
JakeKayCastle Hill SchoolNSW 2
AdamKorczykBrisbane State High SchoolQLD 1
JuniorLaloifiLalor Secondary CollegeVIC
TimMannsDownlands CollegeQLD 2
TanneMilneNewington CollegeNSW 1
FabianNatoliSt Augustine’s CollegeNSW 1
MontanaO’NeillMarist CollegeACT
JohnPorchFarrar MAHSNSW 2
FrancoisPostalSt Joseph’s Nudgee CollegeQLD 2
PhilipPotgieterToowoomba Grammar SchoolQLD 2
DanielPreenIpswich Grammar SchoolCS
OscarPryor-LeesNewington CollegeNSW 1
NiuaPuakaSt Kevin’s CollegeVIC
JacksonMcCalmanThe Kings SchoolNSW 2
TomasRobertsonSt Joseph’s CollegeNSW 2
DylanSikimetiSt Joseph’s Nudgee CollegeQLD 1
BenTarrThe Southport SchoolQLD 2
JackTuttleSt Joseph’s Nudgee CollegeQLD 1

As usual there were a few controversies, but having seen all the Div I games I think, give or take a couple of names, that the selectors have done a good job. They were spoiled for choice this year in the centres and back three, but although were some outstanding individuals in other areas, they must have struggled to come up with the right names because they weren’t spoiled for choice.

The selection process is not over because there is a touring party to Fiji and NZ in September to consider. There will be 28 players named for the tour and performances against Tonga will be key for the boys. Before then players will be injured and some who missed the Tonga games because of injury will be available. There will be changes and omissions.

Once on tour the process of selecting the Oz Schools starting team to play NZ Schools will begin as players are moved around to or from the bench or rested in lead up games.
Let’s kick Kiwi butt again this year guys.

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[G&GR News Bot]

The international schoolboy rugby season began today with Australia A securing a convincing win over the Tongan U/18s Schoolboys at Saint Ignatius’ College Riverview. Australia has come off an intense ten days of rugby, which has seen the players play five full games of rugby over that period.
Australia were first to score points through a penalty kick by Sam Greene, taking the score to 3-0. The Tongan team was very ill disciplined with their captain No.1 Fe’iloakitoho Tupoumalohi having a ten minute stint on the sidelines after repeat offences.

Captain Jack Tuttle
Jack Tuttle looked impressive with ball in hand making many metres, resulting in a try to the captain and SJC Nudgee student. The conversion was kicked and the lead taken to AUS 10 TNG 0.
Australia A had little competition at set piece, securing their lineouts with no trouble at all. This was the same at scrum time with Australia applying a lot of pressure. However, they did fail to execute the use of their outside support and this resulted in Australia butchering many tries and making things difficult for themselves.
Tonga had a scrum five meters out from their try line where a simple play saw their No. 14 Joshua Hefa receive a pass to run ninety meters and be tackled by scrambling Australian defence.
Strong performances in the forwards came from Albert Hemopo of Endeavour Sports High School and Francois Postal of Nudgee College. Both players leading the forwards around the park and setting the standard with their ball carries.
Minutes before half time Australia were building phases through pick and drives and this saw No. 7 Jack Johnson of Waverly College cross the line for a five pointer. AUS 22 TNG 0
After the break Australia took their foot off the pedal both in attack and discipline with Australia being marched fifty meters down field through poor break down penalties.
Seven of the eight Australian reserves took to the field after half time with Jack McCalman follow shortly after.
Another try came to the Aussies through Dylan Sikimeti who took a pick and drive off the ruck to cross the line. Sam Greene converted the try and extended Australia lead to 29-0.
First points to Tonga came from a lapse in the Australian’s defence with hooker Jonathan Lokotui scoring the try. The conversion was missed. AUS 29 TNG 5
Jack Tuttle intercepted a stray pass from the Tongan team and it looked like Tuttle was destined to score but a strong tackle dislodged the ball from his grasp.
Full Time

Australia A Schools 29 (Jack Johnson, Jack Tuttle, Tanne Milne, Dylan Sikimeti tries, Sam Greene 3 con, 1 pen) defeated Tongan Schools U18 5 (Jonathan Lokotui try)

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[tomasi15]

Good stuff Catto! Disappointed to hear your playing days are prematurely over, but glad to see you remain involved in the game. Keep up the good work!

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Tough call. St Mary's Stadium to watch the Schoolboy Wobs or Chez Jarse and Foxtel to watch the mighty Tahs play their opponents. Commute time won't allow both activities live.

Can do both with Foxtel IQ but can't rely on mates not to break the cone of silence and give the score before the replay on IQ has finished.

 

[G-78-XV-V]

Warringah colts at Pittwater Rugby Park, then a quick dash to St Mary's, where is a Tardus when you need one !!!

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Just received this by text:

"Australian Schoolboys 70 def Tonga 13 this evening. Lead 42-3 at half time"

Score update

 

[an observer]

Australia won 70 to 13

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Run on List?

Preliminary Match reports while Uncle Lee finishes the Cream Sherry off.

 

[an observer]

1. Aaron Pleash
2. Tom Wilson
3. Neori Nadruku
4. Harry Rourke
5. Matthew Philip
6. Jack Dempsey
7. Michael Gunn
8. Mitchell Whiteley (c)
9. Angus Pulver
10. Jake McIntyre
11. Andrew Kellaway
12. Jum Stewart
13. Lalakai Foketi
14. Andrew Robinson
15. Jonah Placid
16. Cameron Orr
17. Moli Sooaemalelagi
18. Siotame Kavapalu
19. Jack Cornelson
20. Lolo Fakaosilea
21. Andrew Ferris
22. David Horwitz
23. Harry Jones

Looking forward to L G's match report.

 

[Lee Grant]

I wrote it on the other thread. Don't know why this thread was started.

 

[G&GR News Bot]

Oz Schools 70 – Tongan Schools 13


Even taking into account the standard of the opposition players, from just 6 different schools, it was a good effort from the Aussie lads, especially in the 1st half. Forwards were able to create good front foot ball; sometimes for themselves, but most often for the backs who pigged out on the ball.

It was hard for the Tongan lads as they got caught in the revolving door of their forwards going back, and the backs having to retreat with them – and just as defenders were on their heels the Aussie backs would run onto the ball. And more likely than not there was more of the same in the next phase.

It was better for the visitors after oranges, when the score was 42-3 and 6 tries to 0. Both sides sent bench players on and Tonga performed the better: they scored a try after 2 minutes and after 25 it was just one try each for the second half.

Then the Aussies hit a golden patch and in 10 minutes scored 3 magic tries that were worth the trip to St. Marys. Damn they were good.

The Aussies had no particular issues in the set pieces. I thought that their light scrum might have a few problems but it wasn’t the case, and restarts were generally good unless they misjudged the reception spot.

Some comments on the Oz players, not purporting to be comprehensive:

• 1. Pleash was very active and had an outstanding burst from the lineout through several tacklers to score. At only 92kgs though he will have to put on a bit of pork down the track to play the position in senior rugby. Goal kicker 2. Wilson played like a backrower and some of his conversions were brilliant.
3. Nadruku surprised me with some stutter steps before the pass but it’s not something you look for in a THP.

• 4. Rorke was a problem for the Tongans every time he had the ball and was involved in many dominant collisions. He was the biggest bopper of the match.

• 6. Dempsey had several good runs carrying on his form from the Oz Schools Final, especially in the 1st half, but 7. Gunn was the real star. He had a half a dozen good runs many with a step and once running a good line to get the pass for his own try. It looks like he has a future in the position as a senior player, and at 93 kgs now he should end up big enough to do so.

• 12. Stewart looked like a Kiwi-slayer without doing anything too fancy; he crash balled through a few times but not at the expense of forgoing a move further out.

• 13. Foketi was the star back of the first half doing things like faking would-be tacklers standing still before making a break, to running along touch at full speed linking with Placid on the way to a brilliant try – except a 3rd player dropped the pill.

• 15. Placid attacked well: once in the 2nd half, playing on the left wing, he ran behind all the players and created some play on the right side of the field which led to a try.

• 20. Fakauselia, usually an 8, fulfilled my wish by playing 6 from the bench replacing Dempsey in the 2nd half. Once he nabbed an overthrown Tongan lineout ball and went on a long run, and he was noticeable at other times trying to get the hit in counter rucks.

• 22. Horwitz played 12 at first, then 10 as Placid went to Robinson’s wing and McIntrye to fullback. His memorable moment was when he found himself supporting the ball runner along touch then threw a miracle ball behind his back before being pushed out, and Foketi caught it to score.

• 23. Jones, the 16 year old star of the Oz Schools tournament, had 3-4 runs on the right wing when he came on late and they were all highlight reel stuff. Before the match I didn’t know why centre Robinson was starting on the wing instead of Jones and hopefully this will be the last time. This lad is a cracking player and very quick.

So, a good effort by the boys, but if we are on Kiwi watch we can’t expect our young Wobs to dominate the collisions as they did in this match. Their starting props and all their locks except Rorke are not big lads, and though they could not have done much more physically in this match you could see that they may lack a couple more big boppers to help Rorke in NZ.

The backs should be slick even against the Kiwis and the goal kicking of 2. Wilson and 10/15 McIntyre should be at the high level we saw in the Oz tournament and against Tonga.

28 players will be chosen to tour Fiji and NZ. The team will be announced on 14th August.

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[Moses]

I wrote it on the other thread. Don't know why this thread was started.

The posts by 'G&GR Newsbot' are automatically generated when a schools rugby story is posted to the blog. The idea is to further promote the content being written for the blog amongst the many readers we have in the forum.s

I've been merging these with existing threads, but don't always know which thread they belong in. This one I had no idea where it belonged...

 

[Lee Grant]

Yeah - I worked that out Moses after a while; it's a good idea.

I often go to the forums directly without going to the Home page, let alone the Schoolboy Rugby area of it, but by clicking on the "Continue reading" tab gets you into it and interests you enough to look at the other stuff.

The site is looking good. Well done all.

PS - Snort's blog about a CAS game etc was inserted in the GPS thread instead of the CAS thread and I don't know how to move it.
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