Doing my HSC
Frank Nicholson (4)
Louis FenwickleWho is the Captain of this years King’s side?
Louis FenwickleWho is the Captain of this years King’s side?
Don't think they've announced captain of rugby as yet however Charlie Baker has been on field captain for the games. Great kid who I expect to get the nodWho is the Captain of this years King’s side?
They put the 16s on the smaller fields because 'The Johno' was too wet and they wanted to keep the fields nice for the 1s and 2s.Wasn’t trying to discount Newingtons efforts, they did well. I’m just saying it’s pretty ridiculous for Newington to put the 16A’s on those tiny fields, and it’s clear that they do it for a reason. Rugby is meant to be played on an 100 metre long and 70 metre wide field, not a 60 metre long and 30 metre wide field. Furthermore, I know that 2 of the best forwards didn’t play half the game, neither did 4 of Scots top players. Scots flanker Dan Ibrahim was forced to field at centre. If you think it’s fine for Newington to play senior games (15s+) on old boys, fine, but I don’t think it is.
No 3XV for Newington in that comp ?It's great to be back for another GPS rugby season and I look forward to more exciting commentary on Green & Gold. I will continue to report on the 3rd XV competition in 2024 as I have done in recent years. Its the same format for 2024 with the three 1st XV teams from Grammar, High and TAS together with the 3rd XV teams from Scots, Joeys, Shore, Kings & Riverview.
There are four trial matches in May before the 3rd XV comp starts on 1 June. They play one round of 7 matches for the premiership.
Some interesting trial results yesterday (not all have been reported and some were cancelled):
Grammar 1st XV 17 d St Aloysius 1st XV 12
St Stanislaus 1st XV 24 d Joeys 3rd XV 12
St Gregs 1st XV 19 d Shore 3rd XV 5
Good luck to all teams in 2024 as Scots endeavour to repeat their undefeated premiership in 2023.
ItsNotPink
Newington don't participate in the 3rd XV compNo 3XV for Newington in that comp ?
TSC used most of last season as their trials - playing many Y11s to prepare them for an unbeaten season this year. They won a couple of games at the back end of last season when they beefed up their backline with some Y12s.Do you think the TSC coaches will lament not using trial matches to actually trial different players in different positions with different combinations? Newington used the whole bench, TSC not a single replacement. Obviously happy with what was playing out in front of them.
And that may be the problem.TSC used most of last season as their trials - playing many Y11s to prepare them for an unbeaten season this year. They won a couple of games at the back end of last season when they beefed up their backline with some Y12s.
Nice write up.My notes after I watched Barker v View. Wet conditions prevented some clear tries and linebreaks from both teams, the expansive view we saw last year is back and it worked well against a big pack. Barker have a fairly large pack that tired out after the 2nd half, however execution was a problem for View in making this advantageous. Barker standouts were 10,14,15. Barker 14 saw plenty of ball and ran plenty of metres, beating defenders in the process. Young Isaac Perkins View 8 was a handful both defensively and on ball. Phoenix Graham, View 4 also amongst the mix, tackles hard, carries harder and well drilled in the lineout. View 5 Dan Smith had a great attacking game, whilst View 6 Daniel Saunders was a handful at the lineout... View will need to improve execution and fluency off of set piece. Defensively lots of lapses, line speed was second to Barkers and spacing seemed a bit off at times, must improve with their smaller pack if they want to put other teams in the GPS on the back foot in defence and slow momentum. View backs played well but only when they had front foot ball from Forwards. They seem to have a good 9,10,12,13 combo and until Max Mason (10) is back View just have to improve there execution off set piece. Would like to see there front row improve defensively and be dominant in contact like 2022 Joeys front row. Despite a scrappy game was pretty impressed, played as a team just a few areas that will improve week to week.
Sounds like Shore and Joeys were dominant and have the execution down pat. Newington should be happy and prove they are a real threat. Despite Scots having some big names out, it may raise some concerns regarding depth and also Scots being reliant on some one off play. Newington must've controlled the park and cut down on errors which happened in a fair few games last season. Haven't heard much out of Kings camp but placing them last should be a real insult to them. Excited as it seems the 10 game season will really move the ladder round this year with each team shaping up pretty evenly. Keen for it to start.
Plus the problem with such forward planning - next season injuries can and do happen, and when you write off a previous season in expectation of rewards in the next season - it unravels quickly.And that may be the problem.
Would be great to see a replay of the game. Lots of sideways movement, a poor kicking game, obvious issues in defense leaking so many points and an inability to score points. Lots to work on.
It's pretty unfair to the boys of 2023 and the entire Scots program to claim that they "did not take the season seriously". These boys worked extremely hard and I assure you were trying to win the premiership, as every First XV team is. Obviously 3rd place isn't ideal, but it wasn't a write off. Injuries also didn't help the 2023 team.Plus the problem with such forward planning - next season injuries can and do happen, and when you write off a previous season in expectation of rewards in the next season - it unravels quickly.
TSC could have taken last season seriously, and been competitive - ultimately it is the players who suffer from such strategic naivety.
They did their best last year. Draw with Joeys and knocked off the eventual Premiers.It's pretty unfair to the boys of 2023 and the entire Scots program to claim that they "did not take the season seriously". These boys worked extremely hard and I assure you were trying to win the premiership, as every First XV team is. Obviously 3rd place isn't ideal, but it wasn't a write off. Injuries also didn't help the 2023 team.
New seconds were down 22-5 at the half I believe. Huge effort to come back from where they were2nds lost 19-22 and other teams didn’t play due to wet weather
In lower ages every a team won not sure about 14as tho
Good display from newington today against Scot’s
Very ambitious to put View and Joeys over Shore. Shores 1XV beat Oakhill 40-10 (before subs started to go on in the last 5 min), whereas Oakhill beat both Barker and View. From my understanding, Joeys lost to Barker! Also, Shore has not been within 25 points of a team this year (Oakhill, TSS, Waverly) putting on very dominate performances.I was Initially confident in my predictions for the upcoming AAGPS rugby season, I thought i properly analysed team performances and player rosters, But obviously not. After multiple upsets from all trial games, i've I adapted my predictions to reflect these amazing circumstances
My predictions are as follows:
View attachment 18780
I'm amazed by how closely matched the teams are this season. The competition is fierce, with the smallest of margins separating them. After yesterday's standout performances from Shore, St. Ignatius, and Newington, it's become even harder to predict who'll clinch the top spot.
While uncertain about Shore's position, I've tentatively placed them at second. I wouldve placed them tied with scots in my predictions. However, I must admit, I see them as true underdogs in the race for GPS glory. Despite their current ranking, I wouldn't count them out just yet. Their potential to surprise and upset the hierarchy of teams cannot be overlooked. So, while they may sit at second for now, I'm keeping a close eye on Shore, fully aware that they could emerge as formidable contenders as the season progresses.
I think just fullback Jai Callaghan who injured his shoulder but should be back this week and winger Nick Wendt who hurt his wrist and will likely be multiple weeks out.Anyone know if Shore had any injuries for the team against Oakhill and if so when they're back?
Joeys lose to Barker most years - especially in the seasons where Joeys go on to bring home the silverware.Very ambitious to put View and Joeys over Shore. Shores 1XV beat Oakhill 40-10 (before subs started to go on in the last 5 min), whereas Oakhill beat both Barker and View. From my understanding, Joeys lost to Barker! Also, Shore has not been within 25 points of a team this year (Oakhill, TSS, Waverly) putting on very dominate performances.
-Professor