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Under-20 Competitions including Oceania & World U20s

Jets

Paul McLean (56)
Staff member
Issue with the public schools is that unless they find a teacher who will do all the work for free, then it's not going to happen. Private schools are happy to provide volunteers with some money to cover costs. They will also finance coach education too.
 

Strewthcobber

Simon Poidevin (60)
Issue with the public schools is that unless they find a teacher who will do all the work for free, then it's not going to happen. Private schools are happy to provide volunteers with some money to cover costs. They will also finance coach education too.
Why does it have to be at school?

I agree they don't have the resources and the state unions doesn't have the funding to do anything there anyway
 

JRugby2

Alfred Walker (16)
Why does it have to be at school?

I agree they don't have the resources and the state unions doesn't have the funding to do anything there anyway
Going to public/ state schools are (mostly) free and don't require an additional time commitment I suppose, unlike clubs.

I'd question whether we are actually missing out on signing or developing players who have genuine capacity to turn pro - just because they don't go to a rugby/private school. All of the super rugby sides have academy programs and there is talent ID work taking place at club and school levels.

I'd argue our bigger issue is that the neck of the funnel is waaaaaay too narrow for us to continue to support these players from schools/colts into professionals, not that private schools seem to be doing most of the heavy lifting in the early days.

One example: last years Aus u18 halfback is playing club rugby over in Auckland this season to find development opportunities with the Blues.
 

Braveheart81

Will Genia (78)
Staff member
I think the point Strewthcobber was making was whether any of these kids did all their schooling at public high school as opposed to them playing their rugby at a public high school.

I don't think anyone really has any reasonable/serious expectation that kids will be playing rugby at their public high school these days. That horse has long since bolted.
 

JRugby2

Alfred Walker (16)
I think the point Strewthcobber was making was whether any of these kids did all their schooling at public high school as opposed to them playing their rugby at a public high school.

I don't think anyone really has any reasonable/serious expectation that kids will be playing rugby at their public high school these days. That horse has long since bolted.
No I get that but to his question,
Why does it have to be at school?
Where else?
 

JRugby2

Alfred Walker (16)
At their rugby club.

I.e. in the current Wallaby squad Jake Gordon didn't go to a private school so all his junior rugby was through a club or clubs
I'd guess it would be incredibly difficult to roll out a successful development program into rugby clubs who's playing stock could be so volatile (especially in those teenage years) - and those standout players like your Jake Gordons would probably make it through the system anyway - provided there was at least was some opportunity to play?
 

Strewthcobber

Simon Poidevin (60)
I'd guess it would be incredibly difficult to roll out a successful development program into rugby clubs who's playing stock could be so volatile (especially in those teenage years) - and those standout players like your Jake Gordons would probably make it through the system anyway - provided there was at least was some opportunity to play?
Our current under 18 development team would suggest not
 

Desmond

Peter Burge (5)
Going to public/ state schools are (mostly) free and don't require an additional time commitment I suppose, unlike clubs.

I'd question whether we are actually missing out on signing or developing players who have genuine capacity to turn pro - just because they don't go to a rugby/private school. All of the super rugby sides have academy programs and there is talent ID work taking place at club and school levels.

I'd argue our bigger issue is that the neck of the funnel is waaaaaay too narrow for us to continue to support these players from schools/colts into professionals, not that private schools seem to be doing most of the heavy lifting in the early days.

One example: last years Aus u18 halfback is playing club rugby over in Auckland this season to find development opportunities with the Blues.
Who is the halfback?
 

The Ghost of Raelene

Simon Poidevin (60)
Pretty sure Hwi Sharples has been playing for Sydney Uni and training with the Tahs 1st grade prior to his injury with the Aus 20s.

I know there is more than one Halfback in the squad....

Is it finding development of the Blues recruiting?
 

Marce

John Hipwell (52)
This team can't play in the rain. It's a good team in dry weather. It would be the world champions if it was played in the Sahara desert
 

Dan54

David Wilson (68)
Watched the U20ABs vs Ireland earlier, a good bloody game. As a Kiwi, my thoughts as I watched were, The Clan need to make sure they got Pledger the 9 tied in, he is seriously good. Likewise for Blues with Rico Simpson, looks like an AB 10 for 31 and 35 WCs, beautifully balanced player. For Canes Bason the hooker and capt I sure will be signed up, another who looks an AB in future to me.
 

The Whisperer

Bill Watson (15)
I struggle to believe Australia is picking the best available players in the U20.
How did Dre Pakeho not get picked when playing 1st Grade for Brothers- arguably the best club team in Australia currently and played the house down for the Reds against an international side on Friday night???

another example in QLD. Jake Kurbatoff is currently playing 1st grade for Souths after being named QRU U20 player of the year in 2023, yet Dom Thygessen from the same club but playing Colts gets picked over him???
 

mrsunnydays

Frank Row (1)
I struggle to believe Australia is picking the best available players in the U20.
How did Dre Pakeho not get picked when playing 1st Grade for Brothers- arguably the best club team in Australia currently and played the house down for the Reds against an international side on Friday night???

another example in QLD. Jake Kurbatoff is currently playing 1st grade for Souths after being named QRU U20 player of the year in 2023, yet Dom Thygessen from the same club but playing Colts gets picked over him???
Well done to all players who contributed to the u20s campaign and hopefully they got a lot out of the experience on and off the field to bring home and share.

Yer a lot of talent left out & a few late surprises by the one-eyed decision makers, if you speak with folk who actually know all the top talent across Aust...

Where was Callan Grey, as he must have been a better option as a game manager/ball player than the young second 10 to Harry M-P.

Surprised not to see Will McCulloch get a run over there?

As you said in-form Prem grade players Dre Pakeho has been smashing it and also Finn Prass both are only 19 from Brisbane who can play multiple positions and have been consistently outstanding playing Prem (not Colts) all season & they like others didn't get a look in on any of it this year...

Lots to unpack, yes conditions no favourable, but cannot sugar coat it, Aust have a long way to go, so hoping RA restructure their focus/people and make some big changes for next year!
 

Steve_Grey

Bill Watson (15)
Well done to all players who contributed to the u20s campaign and hopefully they got a lot out of the experience on and off the field to bring home and share.

Yer a lot of talent left out & a few late surprises by the one-eyed decision makers, if you speak with folk who actually know all the top talent across Aust...

Where was Callan Grey, as he must have been a better option as a game manager/ball player than the young second 10 to Harry M-P.

Surprised not to see Will McCulloch get a run over there?

As you said in-form Prem grade players Dre Pakeho has been smashing it and also Finn Prass both are only 19 from Brisbane who can play multiple positions and have been consistently outstanding playing Prem (not Colts) all season & they like others didn't get a look in on any of it this year...

Lots to unpack, yes conditions no favourable, but cannot sugar coat it, Aust have a long way to go, so hoping RA restructure their focus/people and make some big changes for next year!
Good news is Nathan Grey's tenure is over - one to forget - he'll find himself at home in Japan. I refuse to believe we don't have at least two players who can compete for every position and not bring the standard down when used, and keep the incumbents honest.

England and France used over 30 different players in their starting 15, we used maybe 5 different starters? - we (JWBs) even had some U18s in the squad - we have better 20 year old players across the country - identification is the key.

Not sure if this is the right time, but I would love to see someone like Michael Hooper coach U20s (with an experienced sidekick) - get some emotion back into the side.

JWBs punched under their weight sadly, due to the selections mentioned above and others.
 
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