NSW AAGPS 2023

[Cockatoo Run]

Lots of talk about other times this year. How is joeys looking without Jorgensen and the rest of last years yr12?

Kings definitely will have the best depth across all the schools when you look at the caliber of returning players from last years 1sts to 3rds as well as a very good 16A’s. That helps hugely in a two round comp.

Scots have the best cohort of Yr 11 talent in the GPS and could do good things this year (definitely favourites next year regardless) with some fantastic individual players to work with around some returning talent. Round 1 vs Joeys at Bellevue Hill will be enormous.

Joeys will have 13 players returning across 1sts and 2nds from last year. Of course players like Max Jorgensen, Fowler, Barrett and Leahy are irreplaceable so they will rely on being relentless as opposed to ‘brilliant’.

Oscar Jorgensen, Hwi Sharples, Caleb Murphy and Pat Broe all returning give this years backline a great base of 1st XV experience to build around.

They will always have very fit and usually smaller forwards, but this year they will have an unusually big and athletic group of second row and backrowers at their disposal

Joeys will likely have most of the team coming year 12, and given 160 out of 200 year 12 boys being boarders, it creates a different type of advantage from a training, team spirit and cohesion perspective most other schools don’t get to experience.

 

[Bob Peters]

Joeys will likely have most of the team coming year 12, and given 160 out of 200 year 12 boys being boarders, it creates a different type of advantage from a training, team spirit and cohesion perspective most other schools don’t get to experience.

Thanks for a good synopsis Cockatoo Run. At the end of last season I know a lot of Joeys supporters were worried about how good this years team will be after all the success from last year. They will still have a very, very good team but depth will be an issue should injuries arise. Except for losing a second rower just before round 1 and, at times, having injured wingers - they were fortunate to be injury free for all the GPS games last year. Have to be very lucky to go 10 rounds with the same good fortune.

 

[bullocks]

Hi All

Long time reader, first time poster.
As an old timer, I enjoyed the "winner takes all" "each game is a grand final" type of games that the single round comp had. It created a different atmosphere as it was do or die and everyone knew it. I am interested to see how the home/away comp goes. Depth will be important but so will be tactics and coaching. Obviously it gives teams a second chance in a return game but coaches will have to step up.
Heard Riverview are building a solid base for a tilt at the title next year. Don't know if they have the talent overall this year.
Kings, Joeys favourites while Scots and Newington could pull upsets on their day. View and Shore will struggle.

 

[bullocks]

Interesting to Mr. Jones expressing his desire to have a few rugby league boys back playing union. ie Joseph and Cameron. Though both contracted for the next few years and Cameron being a Captain, could make a few other union boys think twice before making the jump to the dark side. As mentioned in various posts, union offers a wider and different experience to league. Let's hope the Wallabies perform well at the WC to inspire the young ones to continue to play union.

 

[Joker]

Long time reader, first time poster.

 

[Rudderless]

FYI

 

[Jim Belshaw]

Returning here after a longish gap. The following message was carried on the TAS Rugby FB page.

"Welcome to TAS Rugby 2023.
For planning/reference, a few key dates below:
8-18 April 2023 TAS Development Tour to NZ
22-23 April 2023 TASRC- Under 12s Mixed, Under 14s Girls 7s, Under 16s Girls 7s
29 April 2023 TAS v Kinross (at Coona) - All Age groups, boys and girls
19 May 2023 TAS v SBHS (GPS Home) - All sports/all ages
27 May 2023 TAS v Riverview (GPS Home)-Teams TBC
3 June 2023 TAS v Scots (GPS Away) - Teams TBC
8 June 2023 Dick Hodgson Shield v Farrer (Home)- All ages/All sports
17 June 2023 TAS v Sydney Grammar (GPS Home)
21 June 2023 TBC TAS Under 12s only v Trinity (Home)
22 July 2023 TAS v Kings (GPS Away)- Boys Year 7-12 TBC
29 July 2023 TAS v St Joseph's (GPS Away) - Boys 9-12
5 August 2023 TAS v Shore (GPS Home)- Teams TBC (Also TAS Reunion Weekend)
24 August 2023 NCIS Rugby 7s Under 12, 14, 16 (At TAS)
TAS has also entered the NWRYR competition again in 2023- Boys and Girls all age groups. Numbers of teams entered will be determined once Winter sports choices are made (Week 5 Term 1)."

Two comments.

First, when I came back to Armidale, I hoped to see more TAS games. First Sydney game dominance and then covid intervened. Maybe this year?
Second, at 680 TAS has record numbers this year but the proportion of girls (now 41%) means that growth in boys numbers is much slower and spread across multiple sports. On the other hand, TAS is becoming a force in girl's rugby.

I now live just up the road from TAS. The scale and beauty of the school is a far removed from the days when all grounds work was carried out by Blanco on his Ferguson tractor and Backfield was essentially a hard paddock.

Finally, and this comment will mean nothing to newer commenters who do not remember the padre title once awarded to me, my blessings on the third comp and all those who support it in the face of Sydney dominance!

 

[Joker]

Jim you are such a welcome face in here.

 

[Flat out]

Max Jorgenson will make his debut against the Brumbies on Friday night at Allianz Stadium. Having watched him decimate everything in his path last year - I'm looking forward to the game.

 

[bullocks]

Big step up for Max Jorgenson. Hope he handles it well and gets good support from his fullback and centres. Corey Toole is a very good and experienced Aust sevens player. Max will be tested defensively. We all know he is a very skilful ball runner however playing fullback is different to playing wing. Ben Donaldson is not imo a first choice fullback and to have T.Edmed at 10 just to accomadate B Donaldson could backfire ( hope it doesn't ). Wish these young, out of schoolers had at least 1-2 years in hard and heavy Club grade comp to learn their trade before thrusting them into the lime light. May work out may not. I wish him well and hope he succeeds however it was probably part of Max's agreement to stay with union rather than go to the dark side that he would be playing Tahs sooner rather than later.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

From what he's shown in the trial games so far he has been up to speed.

It has happened before planned no doubt with Dylan Pietsch getting injured and is out for a number of weeks.

I really don't think Coleman is being pressured to debut an 18 year old. Especially in what could be the Tahs most important home game for the season. He's earnt the spot and I have heard on a few occasions through podcasts and interviews that a lot of senior players have been impressed with him.

 

[AroundTheAnkles]

I agree, the form Max has shown in the trials confirms he is up to it.

 

[AroundTheAnkles]

I agree, the form Max has shown in the trials confirms he is up to it.

well, I think Max showed that he is indeed up to it.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Absolutely. Big things ahead for the young man.

Hope he plays as much footy as possible over the next 2 years and I think NSW & Aus have their next Fullback for a number of years which is a position we don't have a sure thing.

 

[bullocks]

Max Jorgenson played well with the limited oppotunities he was given. Finished off one of the few backline moves the Tahs did all game for a good winger's try. Tackled fairly well and contributed where he could. Solid without being outstanding. Agree that he fits in the NSW team well but to expect Aus Fullback after 1 professional game might be a stretch. Actually thought C.orey Toole outplayed him, although he was given more and better opportunities. Anyway, it's an opinion forum. Hope both MJ and the Tahs play better as the home crowd was good and hopefully stays that way for the rest of the season.
Visited the new Joeys pool centre on the weekend. Very swish for the poor Catholic boys. Recovery sessions after footy will be a pleasure. Good luck to them. Who would have thought Joeys would have a much better Aquatic centre than Scots. Scots will have it's Castle once its finished in 2030 !

 

[The Front Rower]

Max Jorgenson played well with the limited oppotunities he was given. Finished off one of the few backline moves the Tahs did all game for a good winger's try. Tackled fairly well and contributed where he could. Solid without being outstanding. Agree that he fits in the NSW team well but to expect Aus Fullback after 1 professional game might be a stretch. Actually thought C.orey Toole outplayed him, although he was given more and better opportunities. Anyway, it's an opinion forum. Hope both MJ and the Tahs play better as the home crowd was good and hopefully stays that way for the rest of the season.
Visited the new Joeys pool centre on the weekend. Very swish for the poor Catholic boys. Recovery sessions after footy will be a pleasure. Good luck to them. Who would have thought Joeys would have a much better Aquatic centre than Scots. Scots will have it's Castle once its finished in 2030 !

2030 your being optimistic!!!!

 

[Rudderless]

Kings pre-season skills session

House Of King’s on TikTok

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[Schoolboy Import]

Evening GPS followers,

As the season nears, I have a few questions to ask (if you are a reliable source).

1). If there are ANY new boys who have joined the school you support that may either make 1s, 2s, or 3s. What are their names and positions?

2). Does anyone have ANY updated team predictions for your favoured school's 1st XV?

3). Any players to look out for and why when their school is playing? (3 or 4 players would be ideal)

4). How your favoured schools pre season is going (if they have started).


Just wanting to hear your opinions and information for the exciting season to come.


The Import.

 

[Rudderless]

Hello all

A new thread has just been posted under Schoolboy Rugby which I suggest you all read, especially those old rugby heads with knowledge and expertise in the pathways system both past and present…

Rugby schools, their players, and the pathway to Seniors

 

[Backintheolddays]

Two months till season start, looking forward to it. Early mail has Kings as favourites but they could suffer from team of champions syndrome, at risk to a champion team. Excited about the Scots year 11s step up. Fantastic individuals, similar challenges on the teamwork gelling.
And does Joeys ever produce a dud 1sts, plenty of momentum from last year though not sure they’ll have the individual brilliance from ‘22.