Inside Shoulder
Nathan Sharpe (72)
I would think its very hard to get much of a line on form given the 1sts game was a real contest for the full period and the 2nds was not.
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Maverick
Bob McCowan (2)
It is good to hear that there were some standout performances by "the organisers" at no.10, Jack McGregor (I) and Connor O'Shea (J), but how is it that from all the other GPS teams that the White and Blue teams end up with both no.10's from Sydney Grammar (Mackie and Sheldon)?? Surely the other GPS schools have some quality Five Eights?!?
Come to think of it, injuries or lack of experience may have been the problem.
I gather that the player selected in the Blue team, Charlie Harris (K), was injured. I note also that Callum Styles (S) is injured (shoulder?) and the Five Eight that started the season for Kings (Hugh Yates) is also injured (collarbone?), so I guess the depth was being tested. What about the no.10's from Shore (...?) and Newington (Kuenzle)?
No offence intended to the boys who filled the no.10 roles in the White and Blue teams (I didn't even see the game) and certainly no offence to SGS, but the fact that two Grammar boys were selected and/or called up to fill those roles shows that injuries and/or lack of depth plays a part in a competition with a first tier of just six teams.
Come to think of it, injuries or lack of experience may have been the problem.
I gather that the player selected in the Blue team, Charlie Harris (K), was injured. I note also that Callum Styles (S) is injured (shoulder?) and the Five Eight that started the season for Kings (Hugh Yates) is also injured (collarbone?), so I guess the depth was being tested. What about the no.10's from Shore (...?) and Newington (Kuenzle)?
No offence intended to the boys who filled the no.10 roles in the White and Blue teams (I didn't even see the game) and certainly no offence to SGS, but the fact that two Grammar boys were selected and/or called up to fill those roles shows that injuries and/or lack of depth plays a part in a competition with a first tier of just six teams.
Au contraire, the selection of the SGS boys shows that there is depth across ALL the AAGPS despite the best intents of those determined to win at all costs.
You summarily dismiss the skills of the SGS boys without seeing them play, and your comments could be read as an insult to the SGS players and also questioning the integrity and competence of the Selectors.
You summarily dismiss the skills of the SGS boys without seeing them play, and your comments could be read as an insult to the SGS players and also questioning the integrity and competence of the Selectors.
H
harrysboy
Guest
You clearly didn't take the time to read or didn't understand the message behind my post. As I mentioned, it was not a comment about SGS, but more about a competition that has six teams in the 1st XV comp and a lack of depth (other than those worthy players at SGS, SBHS, TAS, etc.) that results when there are a few injuries.
Umm, I was responding to a post from @Maverick at post #1652.
I did not see any post from you @harrysboy. Are you and maverick one and the same?
Brainstrust
Watty Friend (18)
IS is correct that it's hard to draw any big conclusions because CAS 2's were very weak, but from what I saw Pritchards speed and aggression was outstanding. He would have not been out of of place in the 1's. Actually his throwing may have also been a bonus, because not really knowing why the GPS line out was not functioning, but it was pretty poor all round. In fact they starting taking tap kicks rather kicking for touch from penalties because they couldn't win their ball.
Brian Westlake
Arch Winning (36)
Don't forget Sedgman as well. He was faster around the ground than your aforementioned two. Showed another string to his bow by being able to play anywhere across the front three. Not that either Pritchard or Sedgman had too much to worry about against CAS 2's.
If you think the selectors aren't seriously looking at all three...
And all three have shown good stuff so far, so it will come down to set piece, dominance of scrummage, ability to hit target with their own throw and cause general disruption around the ground. I think you will see all three in the mix until the end with one picking a combined states?
Brian Westlake
Arch Winning (36)
Hi Harry Maverick!!!!
Brian Westlake
Arch Winning (36)
Oops hahahahahahaha
Brainstrust
Watty Friend (18)
Totally agree. The selectors are not just watching the 1's. They know there is plenty of strong talent selected in lower grades.
Brian Westlake
Arch Winning (36)
All you have to do is go back through the last 5 years and you will see such players as Deegan from SJC playing GPS 3's. Angus Pulver from 3's as well. That is just to off the top of my head
Poor Hookers.
Often they get the heat when the lineout isn't working but in many instances, it is factors beyond their control when their mob don't win their own lineout ball, ie lifters not lifting, jumpers unable to jump or catch, caller calling bad options, poor timing by lifters and jumpers etc.
Serhon is effectively the current incumbent for NSW 1 and the #2 jumper is his to lose not to win back, as he will receive any benefit of doubt from the selectors if all other things are equal. It will take sustained awesome efforts from the challengers to rip the State #2 jumper off him. As well as Pritchard (I), there are some pretty competent hookers in the other associations who are keen to grab a gig at Riverview next week.
Don't forget Fotokava (I) has previous form at #2, and Sedgman (S) has shown form in this role as well. For tournaments where there are quick turnarounds between games, Selectors often take players who can cover more than one position over specialists.
Often they get the heat when the lineout isn't working but in many instances, it is factors beyond their control when their mob don't win their own lineout ball, ie lifters not lifting, jumpers unable to jump or catch, caller calling bad options, poor timing by lifters and jumpers etc.
Serhon is effectively the current incumbent for NSW 1 and the #2 jumper is his to lose not to win back, as he will receive any benefit of doubt from the selectors if all other things are equal. It will take sustained awesome efforts from the challengers to rip the State #2 jumper off him. As well as Pritchard (I), there are some pretty competent hookers in the other associations who are keen to grab a gig at Riverview next week.
Don't forget Fotokava (I) has previous form at #2, and Sedgman (S) has shown form in this role as well. For tournaments where there are quick turnarounds between games, Selectors often take players who can cover more than one position over specialists.
Brian Westlake
Arch Winning (36)
^^^^^^
What does Harry Maverick think HJ ????
What does Harry Maverick think HJ ????
Inside Shoulder
Nathan Sharpe (72)
Kuenzle was knocked out/concussed on Saturday. Styles is, cording to some Scots parents, out for the season because of a recurrent dislocation.
I cannot comment on the shore 5/8.
Sheldon was picked at 12 in white. When Harris got injured he was moved from 12 in white to 10 in Blue and the 12 in Blue went to 12 in white.
My understanding is that the teams were intended to be roughly even.
If you want to question the appropriateness of these kids being picked, as HJ pointed out, you need to have a look at their rugby CVs.
Some played GPS U16s last year - so they were clearly on the radar (McGregor, England and others doing likewise); some played JGC and have been in JGS, some have played or been selected for zone teams in the past. Its a little unfair to suggest that "there must be better players" in those circumstances, I think.
But I obviously have some skin in the game.
Jasdec
Ted Fahey (11)
Oakgossip and you must be on your lunchbreak again.
Get back to class.
[Mod Edit] He won't be wasting our time any more.
Inside Shoulder
Nathan Sharpe (72)
I think you may be trolling but I'm stupid enough to try and help
so your source was way wide of the mark - apart from the fact of many on here having put McGregor in their top 3 for GPS.
Brainstrust
Watty Friend (18)
Many are hoping that CHS 2's put a better effort than CAS 2's. The reason is its pretty much impossible to properly assess the performance of various individuals in the GPS 2's when the opposition didn't put up much of a fight. There were many quality performances in the 2's, but it was more like a training exercise than a genuine trial. Only changes in the sides are because of injury.
Brainstrust
Watty Friend (18)
Can anyone confirm what injury Porter sustained to rule him out?
The NSW Schools selectors, contrary to popular belief, are not complete numpties.
They recognise that all games are not equal, and will often encourage the coaches (and on occasions direct them) to run player x off the bench in position y in a particular trial because they want to see how they operate against player z, and in combination with players p, q, and r.
These matches are called the NSW Schools U18 Selection trials for a reason. The fact that an association will get bragging rights over another association from the result of a trial match is a secondary objective. The main purpose of the trials is to ensure that the best kids from are selected to represent NSW Schools at the National tournament.
PS. The Selectors do not read G&GR schoolboy forums.
They recognise that all games are not equal, and will often encourage the coaches (and on occasions direct them) to run player x off the bench in position y in a particular trial because they want to see how they operate against player z, and in combination with players p, q, and r.
These matches are called the NSW Schools U18 Selection trials for a reason. The fact that an association will get bragging rights over another association from the result of a trial match is a secondary objective. The main purpose of the trials is to ensure that the best kids from are selected to represent NSW Schools at the National tournament.
PS. The Selectors do not read G&GR schoolboy forums.
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