CAS Rugby 2025

[Rugby Racoon]

Lets keep the chats rugby related.

It's shaping up to be a interesting weekend of fixtures, with Saturday holding a 70% chance of rain (0-4mm) with light winds throughout the day. Primetime likely will be between 10:30 am to 1:20 pm with the sun peaking through the clouds.

Couldn't agree more scrumbledore! be interesting to see how these weekend games play out. I'm backing barker 1sts for a blowout against shore during this exhilarating Friday night.

 

[Bob_Talau65]

Not sure what you meant by this comment, Bob is alive and well on the forums!!

Thanks mate, dont want myself to look like a joke. Should be a good day on Saturday!
Cheers Boys
#BOBTALAU

 

[scrumhalf]

Shore promoting the Allianz stadium game vs Barker quite heavily amongst its community so there should be a good turnout. Expect a lot of chats, drums etc just like on a Sat at Northbridge.
Is Barker expected to see a decent crowd?

I would assume barker would have a decent crowd, Barker crowds always decent, plus the big occasion, should be a strong turnout

 

[scrumbledore]

Anyone to lookout for in Cranbrook this year? Heard they had a couple great additions including an Oldfield boy.

They buy imports every year yet the results remains the same...

 

[pierre]

Teamlist for Barker 1st XV will be out at around 5pm.

 

[Rugby Racoon]

I would assume barker would have a decent crowd, Barker crowds always decent, plus the big occasion, should be a strong turnout

over 900 tickets were purchased using the barker code so I'm assured of a decent crowd

 

[luke_souter67]

Couldn't agree more scrumbledore! be interesting to see how these weekend games play out. I'm backing barker 1sts for a blowout against shore during this exhilarating Friday night.

This will be an exciting game for the Barker firsts vsing Shore. I'm gonna be excited to watch this Friday as I will be in the stands watching and cheering on!!!!!!!

 

[hookerthrow1]

You raise a good point. I think Knox is so competitive in the younger age groups due to the school’s massive size — approximately 3,146 students across both campuses — which is around triple that of some CAS counterparts. As for Waverley and Barker, I think the attraction of strong 1st XV XV may draw young potential talents into the school through the junior years. More academic schools like Cranbrook and Aloys may not appeal as much to young rugby prospects. If Cranbrook can start posting better results and even win the competition a few times, I think its junior programs will grow in skill, as boys looking to thrive both academically and in rugby will be drawn to the Brook over rivaling, less academic CAS schools.

I also think Cranbrook’s 16s and opens teams are made up of a large number of scholarship players, which gives strength to their 16As and Opens teams — but the younger age groups still rely on much smaller boys to compete. You can’t really give a Year 7 kid a rugby scholarship, because by the time he reaches Year 12, he could be a completely different player and not as good as originally projected.

Cranbrook's 16As this year do not have any scholarships, it should be a good test to see them up against a strong Newington side

 

[scrumhalf]

Does anyone know if Barker v Shore will be streamed online

 

[saladsdontwinscrums1]

They buy imports every year yet the results remains the same...

Just buying imports doesn’t work. Yeah it’s great having these amazing individual footballers, but to be successful you have to be a team and work together. These schools think you can just buy imports and win, it doesn’t work like that.

 

[BITTA_footy]

Can’t agree more

I’m very excited to see how Shore Barker go tomorrow night at alliance. Both sides will put on a great show, and I’m interested to see who from either side steps up for the occasion. I’m sure the Tahs coaches will be watching for some young talent. Any predictions? I think Shore by 3.

Regards,

Bitta

This will be an exciting game for the Barker firsts vsing Shore. I'm gonna be excited to watch this Friday as I will be in the stands watching and cheering on!!!!!!!

 

[scrumhalf]

Just buying imports doesn’t work. Yeah it’s great having these amazing individual footballers, but to be successful you have to be a team and work together. These schools think you can just buy imports and win, it doesn’t work like that.

Well said, i think developing skill and chemistry from a young age is vital to a strong 1sts side down the line, bringing players in the year of 1sts in yr 11 is good in theory but doesnt seem to be working for them as the unfamiliar enviroment and opponents they are exposed to doesnt work for the team at such a high level of footy.

 

[luke_souter67]

Can’t agree more

I’m very excited to see how Shore Barker go tomorrow night at alliance. Both sides will put on a great show, and I’m interested to see who from either side steps up for the occasion. I’m sure the Tahs coaches will be watching for some young talent. Any predictions? I think Shore by 3.

Regards,

Bitta

Yeah Bitta,

I think on this occasion Barker will go up by 6, but it will be a great game of footy to watch.

Kind regards,
Luke

 

[WLF3]

Can’t agree more

I’m very excited to see how Shore Barker go tomorrow night at alliance. Both sides will put on a great show, and I’m interested to see who from either side steps up for the occasion. I’m sure the Tahs coaches will be watching for some young talent. Any predictions? I think Shore by 3.

Regards,

Bitta

Whilst not being a Barker follower, the only thing IMO that may stop Barker winning by 20+ is the effect of the Sanix comp and a wet game.

 

[CAS_Rugby]

Well said, i think developing skill and chemistry from a young age is vital to a strong 1sts side down the line, bringing players in the year of 1sts in yr 11 is good in theory but doesnt seem to be working for them as the unfamiliar enviroment and opponents they are exposed to doesnt work for the team at such a high level of footy.

Barker has had plenty of success dropping kids directly into their 1sts.

 

[CAS_Rugby]

Whilst not being a Barker follower, the only thing IMO that may stop Barker winning by 20+ is the effect of the Sanix comp and a wet game.

Barker will eat them alive.

 

[scrumhalf]

It will be live on NSW Rugby TV. Not sure if it is free or not, you will need to create an account.

 

[Homer]

You raise a good point. I think Knox is so competitive in the younger age groups due to the school’s massive size — approximately 3,146 students across both campuses — which is around triple that of some CAS counterparts. As for Waverley and Barker, I think the attraction of strong 1st XV XV may draw young potential talents into the school through the junior years. More academic schools like Cranbrook and Aloys may not appeal as much to young rugby prospects. If Cranbrook can start posting better results and even win the competition a few times, I think its junior programs will grow in skill, as boys looking to thrive both academically and in rugby will be drawn to the Brook over rivaling, less academic CAS schools.

I also think Cranbrook’s 16s and opens teams are made up of a large number of scholarship players, which gives strength to their 16As and Opens teams — but the younger age groups still rely on much smaller boys to compete. You can’t really give a Year 7 kid a rugby scholarship, because by the time he reaches Year 12, he could be a completely different player and not as good as originally projected.

Knox is an academic school as well, finishing only a couple of spots behind Aloys and well ahead of Cranbrook and the rest of the CAS (18th last year and 11th the year before). The demographics at the school also don't lead to rugby as the primary sport, yes they have huge numbers but not so much in the rugby ranks. Like Newington soccer dominates numbers. Numbers can be misleading as well, Joeys is a tiny population but puts out 14 opens teams and occasionally still wins the soccer. Barker has a tiny population and struggles to get 15-20 teams all up but can win the comp continuously.

 

[Homer]

Barker will eat them alive.

With Knox beating Shore last week, Waves falling to Joeys and Knox playing Joeys tomorrow we could have a clearer picture on the CAS favourites.
Shore have been improving but the Barker forwards will be too much for them.

 

[scrumbledore]

Knox is an academic school as well, finishing only a couple of spots behind Aloys and well ahead of Cranbrook and the rest of the CAS (18th last year and 11th the year before). The demographics at the school also don't lead to rugby as the primary sport, yes they have huge numbers but not so much in the rugby ranks. Like Newington soccer dominates numbers. Numbers can be misleading as well, Joeys is a tiny population but puts out 14 opens teams and occasionally still wins the soccer. Barker has a tiny population and struggles to get 15-20 teams all up but can win the comp continuously.

I think this is a great take.

Knox has definitely maintained strong HSC rankings in recent years, and its broader co-curricular profile reflects that balance. You're also spot on about the numbers; sheer enrolment doesn't always translate to rugby depth or culture. Joeys and Barker prove that quality and tradition often outweigh quantity.

I think it's the deeply embedded rugby culture—built over decades—that drives consistency and success, not just headcount or facilities.