NSW AAGPS 2025 (banter and commentary)

[shaquille_oatmeal]

The scrum's performance in the second game was much stronger, even winning the opponent's scrums at least once. Scrumming can be tricky when you're doing it with players from separate teams but they clearly are learning from their faults as they go. As for the first game there was a multitude of reasons for that performance beyond particular players, perhaps being up in points so early can create issues when your team is composed of many top players in their respective teams and that was my takeaway, coupled with the different playstyles they play to matching up for the first time in play.

 

[Maul of Duty]

Agreed Cleaner. I think that would have laid a good platform and given momentum to the team to move forward and allow the backs to get good clean ball and utilize the strong backline that they have.

 

[Maul of Duty]

Also I do think from game 1 to game 2 there was an improvement. We should remember they have only had one training session together and I doubt much of that was scrumming together

 

[RuckReaper78]

Agree, TKS 1, 2, 3 should have been GPS 1. Sorry but watching today that was POOR from GPS1. How do you lose that many scrum? They cannot perform like that against CAS1 tomorrow.

Not to mention the GPS 1 hooker threw 0-8 line outs.

 

[The Cleaner]

Perhaps I had an unfair expectation from the GPS1 team. I understand when packing the scrum you need more practice to gel and move/push as a single unit. I did not however expect it to be that poor against ISA1. Yes the scrum improved in the second game they were more in unison. But, do we measure their performance against the stronger opponent or the weaker opponent today? Regardless, I'm sure the boys already know they need to be better tomorrow night. RIP IN TOMORROW LADS!

 

[The Cleaner]

Not to mention the GPS 1 hooker threw 0-8 line outs.

I felt sorry and bad for him. And yet, GPS 2 had NSW Waratahs U18 hooker Oliver Smith

 

[Mungo1866]

To be fair it’s not like the ISA boys have had a lot longer together, 3 in starting 8 from Auggies but the rest are from other schools. Gotta give the ISA boys some credit for ability i think

 

[The Cleaner]

What is it with our local sport journalists and their ridiculous DT headline "son of former rugby star, son of former rugby league gun, grand son of former rugby blah blah blah" Really? Its no wonder our rugby is RUBBISH here in Oz. Who cares about their father, grandfather and great grandfather The kids are probably NOT AS TALENTED but riding off a last name #nepotismatbest

 

[fortheloveofthegame]

I felt sorry and bad for him. And yet, GPS 2 had NSW Waratahs U18 hooker Oliver Smith

they also had last year schoolboys hooker playing 7.

 

[fortheloveofthegame]

the SJRU U18 team were poor, why so many players from the weakest colts programs? there was a serious skills deficit on display.

 

[The Cleaner]

they also had last year schoolboys hooker playing 7.

Yes and he came on as the sub hooker against CHS. Not quite sure what's going on there as I thought Smith should have been the sub but who knows.

 

[The Cleaner]

**GPS2 #7 came on as the GPS 1 sub hooker

 

[The Cleaner]

Definitely in comparison to last year SJRU team.

 

[Maul of Duty]

On reviewing the scrums, it’s looks as though there was no weight/pressure coming in behind the hooker and tight head which was causing those two grief. The second rower may have been playing injured in the first game and was eventually subbed off. In the second game the replacement second rower held that side of the scrum a lot better and I think we saw overall a better scrum than that in the first game. Probably need to have the 8 head down and adding more weight and pressure as well in the scrums instead of looking to pick from the back every time.

 

[Jim Belshaw]

As an aside, it looks as if 4 tas firsts are playing in this derby. Gps 2. Country under 18 1, AICES 1.

 

[jumba]

I felt sorry and bad for him. And yet, GPS 2 had NSW Waratahs

**GPS2 #7 came on as the GPS 1 sub hooker

I believe this is Ghattas he is one of the best tacklers, can hold his own lineout and is great around the field

 

[InsiderScoop]

Every Hooker on the day threw not straights. Everyone with capable knowledge of a lineout knows it's no just the hookers fault, evidenced through about 4 balls slipping through the GPS 1s 2 rowers hands. These are perfect examples of supporters who can't swallow their pride because someone was picked above their kid, these teams have had two training with each other you can't expect them to have perfect set piece. I watched every team lose lineouts yesterday, including your man, there was extreme wind the whole day, it's not the end of the world and just because people are junior rep players doesn't just mean they are better.

 

[The Chairman]

In the midst of it all, here is a far delayed Team of the Week for last round.

Week 6

1. Hayden Lavercombe (K)
2. Oliver Smith (K)
3. Angus McKenzie (S)
4. Cameron Stuckey (J)
5. Will Spora (I)
6. Darcy Squire (E)
7. Henri Dempsey (I)
8. Justice Taumoepeau (J)
9. Xavier Ryan (J)
10. Fred Garling (I)
11. Ashton Tregonnig (K)
12. Adam Stewart (K)
13. Taj Scarr (I)
14. Jack Plamondon (I)
15. Charlie Lenehan (I)


Chairman’s Player of the Round: 2. Oliver Smith (Kings)

HM: Osborne (I), Conna (I), Blackwell-Smith (S), Hannon (J), Minto (J), Makasini (N), O'Connor (J), Grantham (N)

 

[The Cleaner]

With all due respect IS, I won’t go there. You are entitled to your comments etc and I to mine. To judge purely on performance yesterday? He was poor, is it fair to judge base on a day performance? Maybe not But he had the lowest accuracy in field 1.

 

[RuckReaper78]

they also had last year schoolboys hooker playing 7.

Yep and he will probably go back to hooker, next year when playing colts. Stay in your lane I say.