Dean Moriarty
Billy Sheehan (19)
Am hearing from my Magpie man that Sam Mataafa is at Souths as is a new 10 “Harry” from the Reds Academy who I presume is Harry Grant
QLD Colts 2022
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Dean Moriarty
Billy Sheehan (19)
A name no one knows about yet (but may well do moving forward) is a genuine 6’6 lock at UQ by the name of Lachie Shaw. A late bloomer and would have undoubtedly been a part of BBC First Teams of 2019 and 2020 but missed both seasons with injury. Rangy / lanky but a real genuine prospect who has an upside.
Sideline Hack
Frank Nicholson (4)
harry mclaughlin-phillips
Dean Moriarty
Billy Sheehan (19)
Interesting
Assuming my man’s mail is correct and Sam Mataafa is at Souths that makes for an interesting back row with John Bryant - who i note barely played last year (injury)
With the Farrell brothers in Prems (assuming Sean intends running around at 6 again and Jack at 8/7 ) not to mention others in the mix it might be difficult for either of these guys to get Prems shot off the bat. And given how far their Colts performance has fallen in the last 2 seasons it would be beneficial to have a good and deeper concentration of talent at this level within their overall program
Interesting. Thought he would have been a Wests guy given he played all his juniors there although not that makes it automatic. Useful pick up for Souths who really struggled in the play making positions last year. He’s a bit like Issac Henry - strong positive character type and capable of playing a few different spots and similarly built / broadly skilled as Henry. I note Henry had bulked up quite a bit after his return from from the Brumbies in ( I’m guessing ) a determination to play more 12.
Assuming my man’s mail is correct and Sam Mataafa is at Souths that makes for an interesting back row with John Bryant - who i note barely played last year (injury)
With the Farrell brothers in Prems (assuming Sean intends running around at 6 again and Jack at 8/7 ) not to mention others in the mix it might be difficult for either of these guys to get Prems shot off the bat. And given how far their Colts performance has fallen in the last 2 seasons it would be beneficial to have a good and deeper concentration of talent at this level within their overall program
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PhilClinton
Geoff Shaw (53)
I have heard from someone at Souths that Sean Farrell might be playing hooker in 2022. A couple of things at play there, being the possibility of Super Rugby minutes to assist with front rower shortages, and the pressure coming from a few reggies guys, notably Dom Maclean having a big end to last year and following with a big pre-season.
Wilson
David Codey (61)
Certainly looks like the smart play with the injuries in the Reds' stocks and prospect of a back up pool focusing on front rowers, not to mention the log jam of talent in the reds back row.
PhilClinton
Geoff Shaw (53)
Agreed, he may not have excelled there as a professional in the past, but he's got the talent to at least be one of the first guys picked from QPR if needed.
not 100 percent sure but I heard he is moving to Bond, will be great if true to have Sam KN there to help guide him. Turned down the opportunity to play again at BBC for a third year. Athletic forward that dominated tackling stats and ball Carrie’s. 2nd year at reds u18 academy and only missed a starting spot In the Maroon team last year to baker.
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how do they select when the states havent played off yet. Seems like there might be some old school "mateship" in play. Only detrimental to finding the form players.
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good
Happyman
Ted Thorn (20)
Sounds nds like Mowan has been leveraging his role at the Reds but to be fair UQ are pretty stacked this year.
Lion
Ted Fahey (11)
UQ is stacked? A lot of Colts from last season have left or moved up to grades. Including Sam KK, Gibson, Elekana, Kelly, Hearn etc.
The last 2 seasons of Colts being U20s has shown to be successful you need a large portion of your squad to 2nd and 3rd year Colts.
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The Nomad
Bob Davidson (42)
The first camp often has over 60 named to attend and normally held in late Jan or early Feb . It’s been delayed the past two years because of Covid and is named before anyone is back playing rugby. The second camp finishes with a Probables v Possibles from which they name the final squad.
There hasn’t been any U20 Academy games/comp for some time now. In 2019 they used U18 Academy games to select the Australian and Schoolboys U18 team that toured NZ . The last U20’s comp predates that. Pretty sure that 2019 U18’s tour of NZ was the last time Australia has managed to get an age group team on the field with 2020/21 Junior Wallabies and U18’s cancelled due to Covid.
Before Covid an U19 comp was used late in the year to help select a squad for the first U20’s camp the following year. This hasn’t happened for a while now either.
Bloody Covid !
Oldschool
Jim Clark (26)
Quite a few players from that 20/21 cohort have flown under the radar somewhat. They should start making their mark in Prem grade over this season and next.
The Nomad
Bob Davidson (42)
Yeah hopefully so.
The 2021 cohort though was a particularly strong one with many already playing Super Rugby, from the final squad you have :
Pollard
Nonggorr
Blake
Tom Hooper
Bokenham
Luke Callan
Alberts
Thomas ( still eligible 2022)
Carter Gordon
Pasitoa
Ripley ( still eligible 2022)
Nick Chan
Flook
Glen Vaihu
Grealy
All these have got time on the field for a Super Rugby franchise, a couple in trials only. More than half the squad with Super Rugby experience. Pity we didn’t get to see them play, the backline in particular would have been amazing and a very strong tight five.
Confucius Say
Nev Cottrell (35)
Meanwhile the 6 Nation U20 attract the very significant crowd and TV coverage.
A different world.
If only someone in RA had some vision and saw that.
A different world.
If only someone in RA had some vision and saw that.
What exactly would you want them to do?
Confucius Say
Nev Cottrell (35)
Most of their talent has change state or club and good luck to them. But UQ will be ok.
Confucius Say
Nev Cottrell (35)
The opportunity:
* The pathway between school rugby and Super Rugby/Wallabies is the Academy system. They are not converting a high percentage of player into internationals
* Talent identification is quite weak because the year 10/11/12 star doesn’t always emerge as the best talent. Listen to Wandering Bear podcast with Mark Bell to learn more
* Turnover of coach in Academy/Junior Development role as they seek their own pathway and opportunity means inconsistent methodology
* There is no longer an u20 NRL competition
* Rugby is funding 7s and Super W but hardly an investment in any state v state u19/u20 merit based selection trial or competition (understand Covid has upset URC schedule but what has RA done since to pivot to this issue?)
* Colt competition are relatively strong and competitive with good coaching and some set up (Sydney Uni) very high quality but most club get little funding and lucky to get any RA or Academy sponsored development. Talent ID process is ad-hoc.
Funding? Are corporate sponsor been given the opportunity to support u20s rugby? It is one step from tomorrow’s best player so if not why not? How could it be packaged? It’s a good product
When was the last inter or intra state merit trial that meant something? When was the last curtain raiser before a Super Rugby game or Wallabies test that wasn’t a charity match or touch football game?
So more question than solution but here at least is a framing of how RA might think about it.
Dean Moriarty
Billy Sheehan (19)
^Good post Fu.
Back to the local Colts Comp and with you being a Tigers Man - with such an infusion of talent, especially in the backline, what does your starting team look like ?
You’d have to call Easts prohibitive favourites to not only go back to the Grand Final but to win it as well wouldn’t you ?
Back to the local Colts Comp and with you being a Tigers Man - with such an infusion of talent, especially in the backline, what does your starting team look like ?
You’d have to call Easts prohibitive favourites to not only go back to the Grand Final but to win it as well wouldn’t you ?