NSW AAGPS 2025 (banter and commentary)

[bigbaldpauline]

ANY update on sawyer saw he wasn't listed for schools

 

[War Chest]

Agree GR, That in the main the GPS comp is stronger for obvious reasons, the number of competitive schools is higher than the CAS, and the Age groups in the CAS typically are not as strong in depth or ability. As a Waves man I would biasly suggest that the Waves can hold their own across this spectrum. It was almost pleasing to see Barker win the 16as, 2nds and 1sts comp this year, they appear to be definitely strengthening their overall program. Of concern is the Knox program at the moment but some are suggesting this is only temporary. Trinity and Cranbrook may also be looking to improve as they do offer rugby "incentives" these days.

Even so, that is typically only 3 schools vs the GPS 6, and so the Rep results are what they are.

The "Trials" are just that, as you say, but I think it's fair to say that most/all schools get better as the season progresses, so it is close to being apples v apples. These games saw a number of CAS wins v the Geeps, which has been the case now for a number of years, so the gap has closed quite a lot imo.

The ISA has a similar issue, with typically 2 predominant schools Auggies and Oakhill. Both of these schools do have good age depth, and it should be very interesting to see who dominates in the upcoming CAS/ISA tiered comps.

If this new concept works well, then it may be beneficial to have a GPS buy in to a larger tiered system. one day.
We all know that the GPS brethren currently find that hard to swallow, but as has said before, it doesn't have to come at the cost of each associations own competition. It's just an evolution that may provide more excitement, better matched teams, and ultimately a stronger schoolboy program for these 3 associations that flows on the very top level.

Imagine that!

Do you know how many teams each of the CAS schools have playing each weekend? Also, which of those schools offer 'incentives'?

 

[WLF3]

Do you know how many teams each of the CAS schools have playing each weekend? Also, which of those schools offer 'incentives'?

The word "incentives" is a word avoided in these forums. All I will say is that as far as I know all CAS schools except Aloys have some boys who have suddenly turned up over the years, end of story!

Whilst not 100% sure I will guess the number of teams across each CAS school.

Waves, Knox and Cranbrook similar 23, Barker ,Trinity and Aloys similar 14.

Happy to be corrected.

 

[BananaMan]

All 3 didn’t make it

Interesting re Kotarac, Palmisani, and Gough, if you look at the Waratahs U18 team lists for their matches against Queensland in February/March this year both Palmisani and Gough were listed in the starting team as fullback and centre. I haven't seen Kotarac's name appear in any starting lineups for those specific games but I can only assume he was playing league at the time as he's a gun. Having said that he'd have Lavercombe and Sheck to get past. Palmisani and Gough would be in the Waratahs program.

I haven't personally come across any 2025 PONI squad lists (either officially published or leaked), so it's difficult to confirm or deny who has made it at this point (unless of course you're in the know). It would be good to see if any official announcements surface soon.

 

[War Chest]

The word "incentives" is a word avoided in these forums. All I will say is that as far as I know all CAS schools except Aloys have some boys who have suddenly turned up over the years, end of story!

Whilst not 100% sure I will guess the number of teams across each CAS school.

Waves, Knox and Cranbrook similar 23, Barker ,Trinity and Aloys similar 14.

Happy to be corrected.

Thanks. Does anyone in here know roughly how many teams Scots and Newington put out each weekend?

 

[Rugbynbeers]

ANY update on sawyer saw he wasn't listed for schools

You would assume injury or he has pulled himself out, he was the best fullback from the two days.

 

[The Cleaner]

Interesting re Kotarac, Palmisani, and Gough, if you look at the Waratahs U18 team lists for their matches against Queensland in February/March this year both Palmisani and Gough were listed in the starting team as fullback and centre. I haven't seen Kotarac's name appear in any starting lineups for those specific games but I can only assume he was playing league at the time as he's a gun. Having said that he'd have Lavercombe and Sheck to get past. Palmisani and Gough would be in the Waratahs program.

I haven't personally come across any 2025 PONI squad lists (either officially published or leaked), so it's difficult to confirm or deny who has made it at this point (unless of course you're in the know). It would be good to see if any official announcements surface soon.

Players get emailed. Players hang out and they discuss so it does leak. How I get my insights 99% of the time. Do we understand that players from other states can join PONI? Uys is in it from QLD. I don't want to put down any players but we must look at the positions and look past NSW. Palmi, unfortunately did not really step up at 15. Gough, I think he has gone through but a few trusted source told me that he hasn't. I guess we just wait and see. With regards to Kotarac, he turned down the chance to play for Waratahs U18 this year to play Harold Matts instead. There will be no list announced. Each player selected receives the email.

 

[The Cleaner]

You would assume injury or he has pulled himself out, he was the best fullback from the two days.

Vert unfortunate for Sawyer, and yes He was the best full back on both days.

 

[Schoolboyrugby23]

Rough couple of days for GPS as our 1s and 2s losing to CAS and now our u16 losing to CAS today. Even with the likes of Minto and Hannon in the 16s team didn't seem to get the job done

 

[The Cleaner]

Rough couple of days for GPS as our 1s and 2s losing to CAS and now our u16 losing to CAS today. Even with the likes of Minto and Hannon in the 16s team didn't seem to get the job done

CAS has plenty of talented players in their U16. Moala who has signed with Tahs, Talakai (regular Tahs junior) then there's Dene. Perhaps its a great wake up call for GPS.

 

[Maul of Duty]

Players get emailed. Players hang out and they discuss so it does leak. How I get my insights 99% of the time. Do we understand that players from other states can join PONI? Uys is in it from QLD. I don't want to put down any players but we must look at the positions and look past NSW. Palmi, unfortunately did not really step up at 15. Gough, I think he has gone through but a few trusted source told me that he hasn't. I guess we just wait and see. With regards to Kotarac, he turned down the chance to play for Waratahs U18 this year to play Harold Matts instead. There will be no list announced. Each player selected receives the email.

I would think that both Uys and Lavercomb are ahead of Kotarac as well

 

[The Cleaner]

I would think that both Uys and Lavercomb are ahead of Kotarac as well

Yes, they both are. Kotarac however can play both TH and LH,and he's bloody good at both.

 

[Maul of Duty]

I think you will find that CAS will go from strength to strength over the next few years with plenty on new players recently joining the likes of both Barker and Knox this year from u15s up

 

[Maul of Duty]

Not sure how Skeks recovery is going but if not available there would be a nice fit for Kotarac. Didn’t realise he played tight head as well

 

[Mule]

Not sure how Skeks recovery is going but if not available there would be a nice fit for Kotarac. Didn’t realise he played tight head as well

IMHO Koterac is a very good footballer but has a long way to go as a prop; he has had to play both sides as he’s been part of front rows that have struggled (not all his fault)… he’s like at Joeys back rower over the years; not quite quick enough for the coaches liking to play back row, so is put in the front row without quite the size or experience to dominate scrums just yet…. Good young man who trains hard, runs the ball well, can make bone crunching hits, struggles at scrum time, and has confessed he’s always been more keen on playing NRL

 

[The Cleaner]

Not sure how Skeks recovery is going but if not available there would be a nice fit for Kotarac. Didn’t realise he played tight head as well

Not sure how Sheck is recovering but hope he is recovering well, otherwise there is Slater from QLD or Swirling. Keen to see who will be in QLD 1. There are many LH but not many TH. Bloomfield played Hooker in the Tahs U18 so not sure whether they will look at him as a hooker or as a TH. There's also Asi from QLD. QLD has many big forwards as well to pick from. Hopefully Australian U18 can lure Kotarac to union.

 

[WLF3]

I think you will find that CAS will go from strength to strength over the next few years with plenty on new players recently joining the likes of both Barker and Knox this year from u15s up

You would think so MD, whilst young teams and players do change as they all grow from these early age groups, aside from Barker and Knox, the Waves are quite strong 13-15s. The up coming ISA/CAS new joint comp should reveal quite a bit.

 

[The Cleaner]

IMHO Koterac is a very good footballer but has a long way to go as a prop; he has had to play both sides as he’s been part of front rows that have struggled (not all his fault)… he’s like at Joeys back rower over the years; not quite quick enough for the coaches liking to play back row, so is put in the front row without quite the size or experience to dominate scrums just yet…. Good young man who trains hard, runs the ball well, can make bone crunching hits, struggles at scrum time, and has confessed he’s always been more keen on playing NRL

I think that is why Waratahs are trying to get him because they can see potential in him. U16 Super rugby last year he was phenomenal. Yes, there are some rugby union nuances that he can improve on (perfect the dark art of scrummaging) but he has to want to play and learn it ey.

 

[RuckReaper78]

ANY update on sawyer saw he wasn't listed for schools

Just a strain. Back after the holidays.

 

[Rugbynbeers]

When 3 schools in CAS are giving S word like no tommrow the talent will tend to happen, hopefully for CAS fans other schools in CAS follow so it can even out the comp.

and hopefully they go back to playing cas in term 2 and 3 not just 2, felt quite weird seeing barker already win the comp.