Some thoughts on the NSW U16 team that has been picked for the final vs Qld.
FR - think the FR vs Vic played themselves out of contention for the final as their set pieces were sub par. Hill has done a great job this season to get where he has, given that he wasn't initially picked in the CAS team. Think it shows the value that Waratah selectors place on a hooker's line out throwing, as his clearly the best.
2nd Row - I hear that Basten is highly regarded by the FR for his scrum work. Suspect this has not gone unnoticed by the selectors and seems very clear that the Waratahs 16 & 19 selectors value having one of the 2 row who are 'workers' and concentrate on the tight stuff.
Back row - Hall was impressive throughout the school rep carnival and continue that on and hence took the 8 spot. Think leaves the million dollar question of what to do with Arama. Clearly the most damaging ball runner in Australian U16 rugby. Has seemed to improve his discipline and other aspects of rugby. Scrum work is however non existent (hence he can't play 8). I presume he is very likely lost to league, but I guess the Waratahs are having one last go at convincing him to stay with rugby (or at least keep going with both for the moment).
10 - Waratah selectors clearly have a certain style of 10 that they like and Ruthven is definitely that style (ie. passing, kicking, organising ala the Fowler brothers, with less priority on ball running).
12 - Very interesting that Waratahs went all in on Xeureb and actually picked no other genuine 12 in the squad and gave no other players a run in that position during the tournament (I had expected that Tarau would have got time there). He clearly plays the game like he is playing league and every play is a crash ball and every tackle is border line. He is exceptional at both those, but the question is what else does he have once those gets neutralized and have often does he get YC for high tackles?
13 - Suprised that Tarau got no game time at 10,12 or 15. He is a phenomenal talent (I think the most talented in the team) who can play anywhere, but I wonder how he feels continually getting moved aside for others (eg. Playing 13 in this comp, playing on the wing in CAS opens, etc). I wondering if the Waratahs could only pick 1 of Ruthven, Hannon & Tarua to play at 10, then who would they pick? I wonder if the Tahs know that he is lost to league, hence are prioritizing the other 2 over him??
The other observation with the squad is that the backs were somewhat an unbalanced selection position wise. This was highlighted by the fact that Garcia-Woods played 13 vs Vic. Obviously he can play there (as had played there for a year or 2 previously but had moved back into the forwards this year), but having 5 players who can play 10 or 15 and only 2 centres seemed an unusual selection combination. Perhaps the selectors don't see 12/13 as specialist positions yet and they feel that the the players are talented enough to cover those positions. Likely true, but 13 does start to become a real specialist position at the older age groups.
