Hooper was selected in gen blue as a year young
Phillipson was a year 9 first XV player.
Katoa was earmarked from year 6 as the next big thing in rugby league.
They were already great when they got there - that’s why they went there.
Yep. And they were given the opportunity to improve. Which they did.
Don't act like great rugby programs make talent... they take talented kids and make them great rugby players.. very very few people have the ability to become elite rugby players. The likes of Joeys and some other schools, who have previously established themselves as great rugby schools are fortunate enough that they organically receive rugby talent... Barker is simply having to acquire talent in a different way. They are still a great rugby program that is able to produce great rugby players, as well as take great rugby players and help them refine their skills. The fact that Barker now had 14 boys who made a NSW team over the past 2 years, (as Ekenyake was elevated to Gen Blue after the Nudgee game) proves this. Meaning that, when completely healthy, there is only ONE player in that Barker 1st XV who isn't a NSW representative... Eventually, at this rate, Barker will establish itself as an elite rugby school and will organically bring in ample talent.
You are achieving nothing with this rant. The fact of the matter is you just look bitter.