Author: Nick Hartman

Scots v St Joseph’s Report written by Crackerjack In a match that bordered on the metronomic, the ebb and flow being so back and forth between two of the Season’s leading sides, the visiting Joeys managed to have their noses in front the only time it really mattered, edging Scots in a 38-34 thriller, ensuring the fight for the School Challenge Trophywill go down to the wire in next week’s final Round. First Half In front of chock-a-block balconies and grandstands, Scots’ baggies-led “Flower of Scotland” competed for pre-game atmospherics with Joeys’ heart-felt anthem “Walk On”, giving ample gravitas to…

St Joseph’s v Kings Report written by Crackerjack Two undefeated teams, Joeys hosted Kings in the first of three back-to-back weekends of “Grand Finals” to determine the 2018 winner of the School Challenge Trophy. Off a composed and dominant first half, Kings outlasted Joeys in a stirring conclusion, 30-25. First Half With a healthy breeze at their backs, the home-side’s tactics of kicking for territory were displayed early. But Kings’ monster pack announced their own intentions at the first scrum, marching the JoeBoys backwards on their own feed. Early penalty kicks were exchanged, one to Joeys’ Jude Gibbs(10), and two…

Cranbrook vs Waverley Report by WLF Yet another perfect weather day greeted a reasonable crowd at Bellevue Hill for this local CAS derby. The Cranbrook team was enjoying a good reputation, as tenacious, young and keen to really give its neighbour a touch up. The Waves were keen to ensure this game did not slip away and keep its momentum building for the finish to the season. Both sides had key players missing, notably, Tilley for Cranbrook and Moretti for the Waves. 1ST HALF Cranbrook opened proceedings with some very solid defence thwarting the Waves attacking flair, applying pressure which…

All the fellas are back to talk about the Super Rugby Semi finals and the final next week

Blake and James are back – quick disclaimer, it’s not our best and any mention of the Timani Mafi incident was before pictures were released. Warning – may contain swearing

The A-team is back as Nick joins Nick to talk everything NRC with Brett ‘McSport’ McKay, starting with the new NRC draw released last week. Brett chats one less Sydney team, as the Greater Sydney Rams make way for the Rays; the Perth Spirit make way for the Western Force; and the future and current health of the NRC. We also ask Brett to try to convince the Rugby Report Card lads to watch the NRC. As promised, here is an example of Brett’s fine Excel sheet work: https://twitter.com/BMcSport/status/1013287966624452611 And in case you missed it, Rugby Reg pushed out an…

Wednesday’s Rugby News has Adam Coleman injured, Rory Arnold tackling low and not high, the Reds giving Slipper a contract even though he had failed a drugs test, and Zimbabwean rugby players homeless. [one_half last=”no”] Coleman Out Adam ‘Seam Gas’ Coleman won’t play on against the Reds on Saturday, due to a love muscle strain. Coleman didn’t play against the Waratahs last Friday, and will now miss two games thanks to straining his adductor in the third test against Ireland. However Marika ‘Krusha’ Koroibete and Tetera ‘Tetera’ Faulkner will be back on the weekend. If the Rebels win, it’ll be…

CAS v GPS 1st XV at St Josephs College CAS 24 Defeated GPS 19 The annual clash between the two dominant rugby school associations lived up to the hype, with the game in the balance down to the very last play of the day. With Barker and Scots dominating the selections in both sides with 8 players a piece, this match would be as close as the two teams would get to see which school is the better team in 2018. Having watched the GPS 2nds run out easy winners 47/17, and with the GPS 1st XV forwards having the…

The boys discuss the final round of the International Series and the role of the TMO. WARNING – may contain lots of swearing

Aloys vs Waverley Written by Scotsman 18 Preview: Waverley were the clear favourites coming into the game on the weekend, deservedly so after a big win over Knox last week, but Aloys too had had ground out a tough win against Trinity and looking for another scalp. First Half: Both teams were quiet starting off with a lot of drop ball and soft carries defining the opening minutes. Molloy (7) for Waverley was industrious around the field competing in every breakdown and making tackles but was matched by opposing number 7 Luke Ryan for Aloys who was carrying hard and…

Introduction and fearless predictions by “thats_gold” This Saturday marks the start of the 2018 AAGPS rugby comp. Like 2017, this year’s battle will comprise one round of five games. Every match a potential grand final. Five schools have a good to outside chance of winning the School Challenge Trophy. Once again a shared premiership is a distinct possibility. After multiple trial games, all teams are chomping at the bit to get the business end underway. Here’s what some keen school supporters had to say about their team and the outlook for 2018. Yours truly has made some fearless predictions for…

Riverview v Newington Written by Scotsman18 Riverview def Newington 50-21 The game opened with each side testing the other in the forward exchanges. An early attacking Newington scrum saw 12 New burst through the line and score under the posts. Converted by 10. New 7-0. Play then moved quickly to the Riverview attacking zone, and a mistake at a Newington lineout saw a neat little blindside move by View and View 12 dived over in the corner for a nice try. Conversion unsuccessful. New 7-5. New then had some good attacking possession, but a box kick by the View 9…

Blake James and Richard breakdowns the round of international rugby. WARNING – may contain swearing

Preview written by William88 With the 2017 competition taking place between the three heavyweights of CAS rugby in Barker, Knox and Waverley. 2018 looks to provide more teams with the opportunity to take home the Henry Plume Shield. The season is set up the same as 2017, with teams playing each other only once for competition points. A big test as anyone can win a game on their day in this competition and the team that wins, will ultimately need to win 5 grand finals. While there has been a mixed bag of results across the field, CAS schools have…

Blake, James and Richard dissect the first round of the International Window WARNING – may contain swearing

Barker v Riverview Final Score Riverview 40 defeated Barker 35 In the final mixed CAS/GPS/ISA trial before the CAS season starts, Barker was aiming to keep its unbeaten season on track, while Riverview were after another heavyweight CAS scalp having beaten Waverly at Death Valley earlier in the year. With both teams on the halfway before the start of play, Philip Heath the Barker Headmaster, called for a minute’s silence in respect for the passing of a Riverview lad who had played 1stXV rugby in 2015/2016. Players and spectators alike stood in solemn silence in remembrance of this young man.…

Blake and Richard (no Jim!) talk all things Super Rugby and catch up with the boys from the 2nd row podcast (Soundcloud, iTunes) to chat about the upcoming international series. WARNING – may contain swearing

The boys chat all things super and international rugby as we get deeper into the season. WARNING – may contain swearing

Stannies V Kings Kings 38 Stannies 0 Report by CentraBest Conditions could not have been better on the No 1 oval at Stannies on Saturday a lovely Autumn day welcomed the Kings school to Bathurst for the much anticipated encounter. Kings had the better of the early play the Kings forwards were clinical at the breakdown and their backs asked a few questions of the Stannies defence running some nice lines using the full width of the field. Kings no1 made a good run towards the posts with a quick place the halfback scampered the couple of metres to the…

The guys celebrate some Australian success and get in a debate over the impacts cards have on games. WARNING – may contain some swearing The moment the drought was broke #WARvHIG pic.twitter.com/tiIqpv0OqM — Rugby Report Card (@rugby_podcast) May 19, 2018