CAS Rugby 2025

[DaSchmooze]

The weighting question has been asked a few times but I can't find any info on it either at CAS or ISA. I suspect that if there were weightings, it would have been mentioned in the communications?

 

[DaSchmooze]

It is why the move to U18s instead of a Schools base has the chance to be more comprehensive than the old model. A kid from a Public HS can be playing Colts Rugby and be picked from that over not having an avenue anymore in the CHS system. Rugby can circumvent the system.

From memory, there were a handful of Independent school kids who also accessed this pathway too last year.

 

[OleMan]

I believe there is a Heads of Sport meeting next week which may shed a bit more light on how it will be calculated. I know some school advocated for As & Bs is every age group while others just wanted the As. No doubt the likes of Augies and Oakhill wanted to include as many grades as possible.

 

[DaSchmooze]

The more teams included in the calculation, the better the result will be schools that either have depth, quality coaching, or both. If you put all of your eggs into your As (or just 1sts) only then you'd be pushing hard for as few teams as possible to be factored in.

It will be very interesting to see how it pans out.

 

[Hector]

So do the ISA / CAS threads need to merge in Term 3?

 

[OleMan]

Good question

 

[KlNG]

Whats everyones predictions for the CAS Team to go to war against GPS?

 

[OleMan]

Do they run an U16 CAS team or just opens?

 

[KlNG]

And whats everyones predictions for that game?

 

[KlNG]

Do they run an U16 CAS team or just opens?

Thats a great question @OleMan do they?

 

[OleMan]

Announcement from CAS sets out that it is just 1st, 2nds and A's that contribute.

yep, but does the result of the First XV have a higher weighting than the result of the 13A's?

 

[OleMan]

Thats a great question @OleMan do they?

Looks like they do.. https://www.nswjuniors.com.au/post/nsw-juniors-boys-representative-pathways-2025

U16 Representative Pathway​

At the same time, the Schools Associations will be selecting their Rep teams (CHS,CCC, AICES, GPS, CAS & ISA) at various trial days across May and June.


The U16 CAS team will be very strong. If the Waverley boys all decide to play, the u16 CAS v GPS game will be a cracker.

 

[DaSchmooze]

I suppose that is a sensible approach. You'd hate to have a situation where a particular OPENS cohort that was weak has to duke it out with some heavy hitters because the 13s to 16s are strong.

 

[NSWelshman in London]

IS this just for Rugby or all Winter sports?

 

[OleMan]

Good question, I believe it's just for rugby. The first line of the official statement is " The General Committee of the Associated Schools of NSW (CAS) and the Board of the Independent Sporting Association (ISA) wish to announce that there will be a new competition format for the 2025 Rugby season."

 

[moa999]

Other question mark is what happens to the 3rds and Bs down.
I assume they also play the alternate schools with the usual adjustments for depth.

 

[DaSchmooze]

yes you'd think so. From C grade onwards it's a bit of a lottery as to who you get. Probably a case of whoever is free that weekend. I know the league tables in ISA stretch down as far as the schools have teams to fill them - sometimes even if it's only two or three.

 

[OleMan]

That's my understanding.
You can image how hard it would be for the Head of Rugby at schools like Auggies and Oakhill to make sure their E & F grade teams get games. They'd be sending teams all over the city

 

[DaSchmooze]

Yes agreed. Although I suspect when it comes to these teams, all Sports Masters take their GPS/ISA/CAS goggles off and just try and find like for like competition.

 

[Snort1]

IS this just for Rugby or all Winter sports?

Only Rugby I believe. Rugby has unique challenges at school level because of the safety implications that arise when physical mismatches occur.