I saw the following games yesterday afternoon and last night:
GPS II v. ISA II
CAS I v. ISA I
GPS I v. CHS I
I stood on the upper terrace to watch the game and really missed the replay of critical scrums on the big screen that spoils us in Super 14 and Test Match Rugby.
This was the only time I have seen either CHS or ISA play. Based on yesterday's matches I make the following observations;
1. For a team that comprises its majority from St. Augustines' 1st XV, the ISA I team did not play with a great deal of cohesion or composure that you might expect for the number of established combinations included. This might have been a result of the effort by many of the CAS team, in particular Goodman at No. 7. I could see the individual strength of the 12/13 players but detected a lack of discipline and commitment to structure when compared to the CAS/GPS team players. I assume ISA fly-half, Brisby, had an uncharacteristic quiet game last night as well.
2. In my opinion a number of reputations of the CHS players were damaged last night, in particular, numbers 1,3, 5 & 8. I assume that Jason Seage had a quiet game for a player of his reputation but pulled off a spectacular try saving tackle late in his game.
3. Broome appeared pre-occupied with eye-catching marginal or late tackles against Wylie and neglected his work load closer to the ruck and maul.
4. It also occurred to me that Brogan Roods had another quiet game last night. On some occasions his class showed through and I think that he is a major talent, especially considering he is still only in Year 11. Similarly Chris Ingate did not see much ball last night due to Latunipulu.
5. Last night was the first time I saw Purcell and Hingiano. I could see the power in their phase play but felt they became frustrated against a well organized midfield defense that was not intimidated by their strength. Hingiano in particular appeared to spend most of his evening in a personal confrontation with Fine from CAS that detracted from his game. Consequently Fine went missing for most of his game which he appeared to spend on the wing in attack and at 13 in defense.However, in his defence, he did score the winning try with minutes to go before full time.
6. If I was a coach on tour I would prefer McCormack & Roods for Test Matches on the weekends and Purcell & Hingiano for midweek games against lesser opposition where they could really carve-up less formidable and less structured midfields.
7. Am I correct in assuming that both ISA and CHS teams have been together far longer that either CAS or GPS teams. If this is the case then my comments regarding cohesion, structure and combinations are even more applicable and an indictment on some of the senior/key players in those teams
In the spirit of G & G Rugby I have listed below two teams comprised of the players that impressed me in the three matches I saw yesterday and some games last Tuesday. I some cases I have bracketed two players for one position but I have not tried to select a reserves bench.
NSW School, 1st XV Selection
1 J. Gillespie}
2 H. Roach }
3 G. Millar } I am very keen to see this unit against Queensland Schools. They appear to have knowledge and skill beyond their years.
4 R. Dombkins (ISA)
5 B. Melrose – Benn Melrose displayed an intellect and inventiveness in his phase play that was not present in most of the other Locks that I saw on the night.
6 B. Killingworth } Clearly the TKS combination worked to their advantage as they nullified the CHS forward runners throughout the evening. A major head-on tackle by Killingworth on Broome illustrated how much Broome gives away in size and bulk in top company.
7 T. Connor }
8 G. Kent }
9 W. Wessels (CHS) – The best half-back I saw on display at the tournament yesterday.
10 E. Wylie - composed under pressure and varied his play well throughout the match.
11 M. Hulme – Strong and reliable.
12 A. Latunipulu – Selfish. I don’t recall seeing him pass the ball once in set piece play. But he is a very strong carrier of the ball in traffic and a devastating broken field runner.
13 C. Ingate – very little opportunities due to Latunipulu but he was very solid in defense. He enjoyed some deft touches despite his lack of chances.
14 D. Smith (ISA) – This player was electrifying with the ball in hand.
15 C. Clark (CAS) – very dangerous every time he came into the backline and fearless/reliable in defense
NSW 2nd XV Selection
1 S. Baraket
2 C. Moore/T. Reid
3 R. McNeill (CAS)
4 J. Reid (CAS)
5 J. Harris (CAS)/J. Hall (ISA)
6 S. Vaka (ISA)
7 S. Goodman (CAS) – He could easily be selected in the 1st XV.
8 J. Luani
9 T. Donlan
10 S.Dunbar/ S. Brisby (ISA
11 M. Freeman (replacement in GPS 2nd XV) – Freeman impressed me with several outstanding defensive pieces and excellent cover defense after entering the game.
12 J. Purcell (ISA)/ J. McCormack }
13 M. Hingiano (ISA)/B. Roods } – I see these four as interchangeable.
14 N. Roye
15 B. Lenehan/J. Seage (CHS)
