NSW CAS 2026 (banter and commentary)

[Famed_Star]

Could you put previous teams in please?

Waverley 1st predicted
1. Cy preketes (1st XV)
2.Roman leilua (1stXV)
3.kaiasi talakai (1st XV)
4. Solomone penitani (2nd XV)
5. Jasper Thomas/Amu Afu (3rds/injured)
6.phil falaniko (16a’s)
7.lior Ibrahim(16a’s)
8.hunter wiki Sullivan(1sts- injured)
9. Jarah carr (3rds)
10. Saxon gaw (1sts XV)
11.sunny Steyn (15a’s)
12. Paula Teisina (2nds but should hav been 1sts)
13. Cooper matia (injured(1sts)
14. Kai towns (doesn’t play rugby)
15. Payton tarau (1st XV)

The backrow will be partly the waves 15a’s backrow from this year is my prediction instead of those 16a’s kids and halfback will be the 15a’s halfback. Some generational talent in that age group.

If Minto hadn’t been taken by Joeys and Xuereb by league Waves team would be freaky next year- still is.

 

[scrumbledore]

Ok wouldn’t put isa teams like St Augustine’s as ‘Underdogs’ compared to the CAS schools in 1stxv. Both sides were undefeated all year until the narrow loss against barker.

Very disappointing that CAS schools could not bother to fields teams in the younger ages against ISA schools in the crossover. Leading to the end of the competition that just started.

You misinterpreted my friend, the 'underdogs' I was referencing were the likes of Aloy's, Cranbrook, and Trinity. Indeed, the disparity between the younger ages in CAS and ISA demonstrates the need for a change of approach, with CAS schools taking responsibility to field full junior teams if the competition is ever going to grow past a tokenistic crossover round.

My understanding is that at the Wave Col, these 1st XV meatheads are not required to go to class in order to prioritise training? Can someone confirm if this is true, as I am considering sending my son there, and this would be a dream come true.

 

[Bob_Jones]

Ok wouldn’t put isa teams like St Augustine’s as ‘Underdogs’ compared to the CAS schools in 1stxv. Both sides were undefeated all year until the narrow loss against barker.

Very disappointing that CAS schools could not bother to fields teams in the younger ages against ISA schools in the crossover. Leading to the end of the competition that just started.

LLPS - if in fact the CAS-ISA cross over comp has folded after 1 season, then Barker and Knox should hang their heads in shame. They are more than happy to beat teams 60,70,80 points to nil in the Opens, but then run scared and forfeit their junior matches when they are matched up against Augs, Pats and Oakhill.

Obviously each school has the right to run their sports program 100% in the manner in which they choose, but no sane person could doubt that the CAS-ISA cross over comp was a step in the right direction for schoolboy rugby and to have it possibility abandoned after 1 season is such a shame.

 

[scrumalicious]

Who are standout positions in the team? Could we possibly get an early list?

Still very early so bare with me, previous teams in brackets.

Potential Cranbrook 1XV 2026 :
1. Luke Sergis (1sts/2nds)
2. Johann Ah-Colt (1sts)
3. Cruz Cronan (1sts)
4. Taj Aufai-Farani (1sts)
5. Angus Messiter (1sts)
6. Joe Weeks (16As)
7. Zac Golovsky (2nds)
8. Sifa Oldfield (1sts)
9. (C) Charlie Harris (1sts)
10. Import
11. Ethan Sackar (1sts/2nds)
12. Kingston Hoffman (1sts/2nds)
13. Phoenix Johns (1sts)
14. Harry Middleton (16As/1sts)
15. Bastian Armstrong

Still a few positional dilemmas to solve as well as imports and other matters, lots could change.

 

[moa999]

if in fact the CAS-ISA cross over comp has folded after 1 season, t

So is that confirmed? If so what's the schedule for 2026.
One thing I did like about last year was it was arguably fairer for CAS selections as a full round had been played in Term 2 allowing direct comparisons. Does CAS go back to two rounds if the crossover is gone?

 

[DaSchmooze]

So is that confirmed? If so what's the schedule for 2026.
One thing I did like about last year was it was arguably fairer for CAS selections as a full round had been played in Term 2 allowing direct comparisons. Does CAS go back to two rounds if the crossover is gone?

Yes that would be news to me too.

 

[Old School Rugger]

ISA Crossover has been killed off by CAS. Schools have all apparently received draft fixtures and the big ISA schools are reverting back to playing GPS opposition in Term 2 trials it appears. Knox and Barker refused to play St Augustine's (and I think Oakhill) in some A games which neutered the concept. It speaks volumes about schools who only want to play games in the Age Groups they have fueled with scholarships.

 

[DaSchmooze]

ISA Crossover has been killed off by CAS. Schools have all apparently received draft fixtures and the big ISA schools are reverting back to playing GPS opposition in Term 2 trials it appears. Knox and Barker refused to play St Augustine's (and I think Oakhill) in some A games which neutered the concept. It speaks volumes about schools who only want to play games in the Age Groups they have fueled with scholarships.

The CAS site still showing the crossover information for the 2025 season:

CAS Announcement on Combined Rugby Competition for 2025 – cas-web

www.cas.nsw.edu.au

Gosh I hope you're wrong OSR

 

[scrumhalf]

Still very early so bare with me, previous teams in brackets.

Potential Cranbrook 1XV 2026 :
1. Luke Sergis (1sts/2nds)
2. Johann Ah-Colt (1sts)
3. Cruz Cronan (1sts)
4. Taj Aufai-Farani (1sts)
5. Angus Messiter (1sts)
6. Joe Weeks (16As)
7. Zac Golovsky (2nds)
8. Sifa Oldfield (1sts)
9. (C) Charlie Harris (1sts)
10. Import
11. Ethan Sackar (1sts/2nds)
12. Kingston Hoffman (1sts/2nds)
13. Phoenix Johns (1sts)
14. Harry Middleton (16As/1sts)
15. Bastian Armstrong

Still a few positional dilemmas to solve as well as imports and other matters, lots could change.

Done some research on this Bastian Armstrong kid from NZ, seems to be one of the big prodigies out of NZ schoolboy rugby for his age group. I believe he has also signed with the roosters? Will be very interesting to see how he slots into not only cranbrooks side, but the style of CAS footy.

Any news on who this 10 is? If hes half decent this cranbrook team could threaten.

 

[scrumalicious]

Done some research on this Bastian Armstrong kid from NZ, seems to be one of the big prodigies out of NZ schoolboy rugby for his age group. I believe he has also signed with the roosters? Will be very interesting to see how he slots into not only cranbrooks side, but the style of CAS footy.

Any news on who this 10 is? If hes half decent this cranbrook team could threaten.

Yes that would be correct, I believe the Roosters are the ones putting him through the schooling system, similar to what they’ve done with boys at Scots and what other clubs have done at a few GPS schools.

As for the 10, can’t say I know too much about the young lad or much about his skill set. However I’ve heard he’s coming in on the same arrangement as Armstrong.

After a disappointing season last year, Cranbrook should be aiming for a top 3 finish this year with the newly added firepower as well as a large portion of boys returning from last year.

 

[scrumhalf]

Any one know about the whereabouts of Bob Talau this year? Heard he wasn’t very happy with the results of aloys last year but would love to catch up with his again as i’m sure the rest of the forumers would

 

[Comeonmate]

Predictions:
1. Cranbrook
2. Barker
3. Waverley
4. Knox
5. Trinity
6. Aloys

 

[scrumhalf]

I'd back that up, cranbrook initally looking strong while barkers import XV will always threaten, waverly and knox to fight it out for 3rd.

 

[scrumbledore]

Any one know about the whereabouts of Bob Talau this year? Heard he wasn’t very happy with the results of aloys last year but would love to catch up with his again as i’m sure the rest of the forumers would

I believe he was last seen in The Sheaf with the rest of his Waverley goons.

 

[Saladsdontwinscrumsbtw]

Still very early so bare with me, previous teams in brackets.

Potential Cranbrook 1XV 2026 :
1. Luke Sergis (1sts/2nds)
2. Johann Ah-Colt (1sts)
3. Cruz Cronan (1sts)
4. Taj Aufai-Farani (1sts)
5. Angus Messiter (1sts)
6. Joe Weeks (16As)
7. Zac Golovsky (2nds)
8. Sifa Oldfield (1sts)
9. (C) Charlie Harris (1sts)
10. Import
11. Ethan Sackar (1sts/2nds)
12. Kingston Hoffman (1sts/2nds)
13. Phoenix Johns (1sts)
14. Harry Middleton (16As/1sts)
15. Bastian Armstrong

Still a few positional dilemmas to solve as well as imports and other matters, lots could change.

Ehhhh Don't see why they would move taj and cruz out of positional when they have been in the team for 3 years... never seen Zac in the Cranbrook 2s line up. Who's the 15? Don’t see Angus mess playing 2 row either, more of a flanker

 

[scrumalicious]

Ehhhh Don't see why they would move taj and cruz out of positional when they have been in the team for 3 years... never seen Zac in the Cranbrook 2s line up. Who's the 15? Don’t see Angus mess playing 2 row either, more of a flanker

Cruz played front row for much of his coming up and during his first year with the first XV, and could add some much needed size and experience to that front row.

Taj has played there in league before and a transition there would help fill out weaker positions within the squad, especially due to the overhaul in the centre position (Johns, Hoffman, Armstrong.) Not to mention his physical frame and athleticism adhere more toward that sort of position.

As for the #15, new boy in from NZ, played as a centre for one of the most prestigious sides over there (AGS), put in schooling through the Roosters and is versatile enough to fill the role.

Still early doors, not quite sure what path the coaching staff will end up taking when the season comes around, lots could change.