In Schoolboys vs Tonga, but not for tour:
J Cornelson, BGS
D Horwitz, Scots
H Jones, Kings
C Orr, Trinity
Not in Schoolboys vs Tonga
G Kalell, BBC
A Korczyk, BSHS (From Aust A vs Tonga)
T Moeroa, New
J Porch, Farrar (From Aust A vs Tonga)
T Robertson, Joeys (From Aust A vs Tonga)
M Sandell, Joeys
T Staniforth, Canberra Grammar
J Tuttle, Nudgee (From Aust A vs Tonga)
B Wilkin, Iona
Thanks for that HJ.
The omission of 16 y.o. Harry Jones (a Ben Tune type of player at that age) is inexplicable unless he is injured. Some lads make themselves unavailable for this tour because of the HSC, but Jones will do that next year. His replacement, Kalell, was hardly stellar in the Oz Schools comp but he must be in form for his school.
The omission of flyhalf Horwitz is puzzling also since Greene was not added. It is hard to work out who will be the backup for McIntyre - and he is hardly a specialist 10 anyway. Does Tuttle play there sometimes for NC?
I thought that 90kgs lock Cornelson could be replaced as he is a stringbean, though Korczyk is not exactly a big bopper either. Big engine though.
Orr was unlucky to be omitted unless they thought his hand injury would not heal in good time. A couple of the other big Oz props were retained on no good evidence, but it's good to see that Robertson is rebounding after an apparent downer. The Joeys LHP was selected as
THP by GPS, NSW IIs and Oz A, and all from their lacking quality at THP than from his wanting ability at LHP. He made such a good fist of it that his value as an Oz Schools touring prop became evident. His next challenge will be to start at THP in a 'test'.
The selection of his Joeys' THP team mate, Yr, 11 lad Sandell, is a bit of a surprise (this year) as he is not big for the position, but the Joeys scrum has performed well in 2012, and if needs be Sandell can play in the backrow - or even the 2nd row at a stretch. The only Joeys' front rower missing is 2. Carolan. Incumbent hooker, Wilson, is one of the best players in the Oz Schools team, but I thought Carolan was a smokey to tour, such was his form of late.
I reckoned that big bopper 12. Moeroa would get his chance next year, but he is in top school form and will be a good backup for Stewart. I agree with the addition of 15. Porch to the squad. He is very quick and is a good footie player; no doubt he can play on the wing as well.
I am glad that ACT lock Staniforth is healthy enough now to be picked as he has missed all the rep rugby this year. He will probably partner Rorke in the 2nd row if he gets match fit because they need a bit of starch there.
It is well that Tuttle and Wilkin are in the team. NSW schools watchers will know little about these players if they missed the Oz U/16 Championships in Sydney last year: the Queensland lads were the stars of the tournament.
Tuttle, the Oz A captain, had a quiet Oz Opens tournament week recently, but there is nothing untoward in that: so did W.Genia and Q.Cooper back in the day. Wilkin missed the tournament through injury but will probably contend now with Gunn for the 7 spot in test matches - and Gunn with Dempsey at 6.
In summary: in the backs, the absence of H. Jones and the apparent lack of a flyhalf backup are negatives. In the forwards Staniforth will improve the 2nd row and Robertson the front row. Wilkin provides cover for Gunn, or it could be the other way around.
Apart from that they still lack a big 6 or 8 and a specialist class winger.
Whatever one thinks about Oz Schools selections generally, it is refreshing that in 2011 and 2012 the selectors have been more willing to look at changes to the team after their first match than they have been in the past. After the games against England in 2011 they invited Oz Schools and A players to a camp, then changed their main side afterwards to good effect. This year, a winter touring year, they will have a 'touring camp' and consider test team changes on the go.
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