Australian Schools teams to play Tongan Schools

At last the selection process for two Australian School teams is over and two teams of 23 players have been chosen. Each team will play the visiting Tongan U/18 Schools team this week (see details below).

On Day 1 and Day 2 six selectors looked at all the games. Each had a specialist category — the front row, second row, back row, halves, centres, and back three. They had a secondary category to look at in case a boy could play lock or 6, flyhalf or fullback, and in one case hooker or flanker. Afterwards they looked at the players with six different overviews.

There is always contention about the selection treatment of players who have committed to league or are rumoured to have done so, or will do so.

I spoke to the ASRU President, Br Bob Wallace, during the tournament and he said that selectors pay no regard to this matter. He said that the ASRU philosophy is to give all lads a good rugby experience in the union code and if they ended up in league, so be it.

He said that a few years back they did things differently and lads had to declare one way or the other. It was a nightmare, and counter-productive.

He appreciated the views of others who said that spots should not be wasted on future league players but the selectors were basically all school teachers and they looked at things from a schools point of view, not that of the ARU or Wallabies. Naturally, they hope that many of the boys they picked go through to play for the Wallabies, but it was not their main purpose.

As usual there were a few controversies, but having seen all the Div I games I think, give or take a couple of names, that the selectors have done a good job. They were spoiled for choice this year in the centres and back three, but although were some outstanding individuals in other areas, they must have struggled to come up with the right names for a few spots.

The selection process is not over because there is a touring party to Fiji and New Zealand in September to consider. There will be 28 players named for the tour and performances against Tonga will be key for the boys. Before then players will no doubt be injured and some who missed the Tonga games because of injury will be available. There will be changes and omissions.

Once on tour the process of selecting the Oz Schools starting team to play NZ Schools will begin as players are moved around to or from the bench or rested in lead up games.

Let’s kick Kiwi butt again this year, guys.

.

THIS OLD BLOG IS BEING USED FOR WORDPRESS EXERCISES

Using bordered side panel within blog exercise followed by Heading 3

[See div style for left and right panels. Colour of border can be changed]sd} Uses this html code in Text tag: <div style=”float: right; width: 30%; font-size: 75%; border: 1px solid #db2645; margin: 12px 0 0 24px; padding: 12px 12px 0 12px;”>]

Quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog

The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog. The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog. The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog. The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog.

The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog. The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog. The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog. The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog.

.