Australian Schools & Junior Rugby Championships - Sunshine Coast, 2025

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Thread for anyone following the ASJRC on the Sunshine Coast.

I know there are a number of top guys not playing from NSW at this tournament which is a shame but it is what it is. I like the fact we are at least seeing NSW and QLD sides go against the other States again and not just each other over and over.

Day 1 results for U18s Boys:

ASRU
NSW2 59 d QLD2 12
NSW1 50 d ACT 10
NSWJRU 55 d VIC 13
QLD1 48 d WA 5

NJRC
NSW Barbarians 64 d QLD Associated 24
SA 42 d NT 10
Vic U17s 76 d Tas 5

Plenty of other games across Girls XVs, 7s and Boys NJRC 16s.

https://xplorer.rugby/australian-schools-rugby-union - Game to game coverage and draws.

 

[Sword of Justice]

That is a rough start by Qld2 and the Associated. Anyone know if the GPS players are released?

 

[Wicked Left Foot]

SoJ, not many schools release their players for this. The ones I know of are Brisbane Grammar, Ipswich Grammar and Brisbane State High. QLD 2 have just had a confidence building win over the Vics 69-12.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

It's been somewhat levelled out though by a good chunk of NSW players who were in last years Tahs 18s and Aus 18s not playing in this comp at all.

 

[bomber06]

My mate in QLD who is up there watching (he knows the QLD II coach) said only BSHS allows the kids to play in this. All the other GPS teams tend to keep their players in cotton wool as their season starts next weekend. And we thought it was bad in NSW! He also said nepotism and what school you go to is in large supply up there. Knows of several kids firsthand from his club who have been told they needn't bother trying for age group teams up there because they aren't in the "right" school program. Some of these kids have now given up rugby and focusing on league as they see it fairer. Now it's only a small sample but if that's representative of a broader issue, then that's a large problem. Rugby always finds a way to shoot itself in the foot.

 

[bomber06]

It's been somewhat levelled out though by a good chunk of NSW players who were in last years Tahs 18s and Aus 18s not playing in this comp at all.

Why are they not playing? I assumed because they may be locked into league contracts (which I totally agree with btw), but it doesn't seem that all of them are that way

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Seems a number of players in the PONI squad (Players of National Interest) have skipped this comp. Grover, Fonua, Risati, Gough and other from last years 18s and NSW 16s.

I personally think they should play but whatever the convo feels like battering my head against the wall now. I guess more boys are being given a chance to play higher level footy if we take the glass half full approach.

 

[FNC Rugby]

My mate in QLD who is up there watching (he knows the QLD II coach) said only BSHS allows the kids to play in this. All the other GPS teams tend to keep their players in cotton wool as their season starts next weekend. And we thought it was bad in NSW! He also said nepotism and what school you go to is in large supply up there. Knows of several kids firsthand from his club who have been told they needn't bother trying for age group teams up there because they aren't in the "right" school program. Some of these kids have now given up rugby and focusing on league as they see it fairer. Now it's only a small sample but if that's representative of a broader issue, then that's a large problem. Rugby always finds a way to shoot itself in the foot.

That's not true, there are kids in the Qld sides from Brisbane Grammar, Ipswich Grammar & Brisbane State High. These aren't proper Qld teams, they are schools' teams made up from kids who played at the Qld schools carnival in Townsville a month or so ago. It is correct that a lot of the GPS schools don't have kids trial for these teams as they are already in the Reds u18 program. This schools tournament is completely separate to the Reds pathway.

 

[fortheloveofthegame]

Seems a number of players in the PONI squad (Players of National Interest) have skipped this comp. Grover, Fonua, Risati, Gough and other from last years 18s and NSW 16s.

I personally think they should play but whatever the convo feels like battering my head against the wall now. I guess more boys are being given a chance to play higher level footy if we take the glass half full approach.

They 100% should play, the pathways managers justify it by saying it is about load management. The U20’s game versus South Africa recently tells you how load management is going. The African players are mostly playing full time in europe vs our approach, a warm up tournament and a few managed shute shield performances.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

I agree @fortheloveofthegame I just can't be arsed with long posts again. I'm sure the boys would love to be out there also.

Just going to enjoy some of the footy from those giving it their all on the Sunshine Coast

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

WA 13 d ACT 10

Don't want to take away from WA but the ACT is a sad version of what it once was.

 

[Sword of Justice]

Any insight as to why? If it’s the same reason as QLD struggling in this comp then I can’t see a way in which NSW doesn’t dominate every year. More people equals more schools equals more players and therefore theoretically more depth to combat the u18 comp.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

I think it's more a showing of Rugby continuing to be a more niche sport. It's still very strong at the pointy end but on the edges it's declined. Traditionally very deep programs now only have a good 1st XV and it drops after that.

Having watched some of the Canberra Schools come up to Sydney and play trials v Sydney ones it is generally a pretty poor contest compared to 25 years ago.

 

[hituplover]

righto, any standouts from the tournement ?

 

[moa999]

NSW 1 up 7-0 on Qld 1.

Good stream quality on my TV, but unfortunately it's a sideline level camera.

YC to Qld for what looked like a dangerous tackle beyond horizontal ,and NSW forward goes in our wide.
NSW 1 12-0 18m left

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

righto, any standouts from the tournement ?

Kid to watch is Cyrus Bloomfield (NSW1 13). Kid is a pro in one of the codes.

Harrison Dene (NSW1 10) is also a very good 10 with this being his 3rd year around the rep teams of various levels. He should be dominating from a playmaker stand point.

 

[bomber06]

Thats not true, there are kids in the Qld sides from Brisbane Grammar, Ipswich Grammar & Brisbane State High. These arent proper Qld teams, they are schools' teams made up from kids who played at the Qld schools carnival in Townsville a month or so ago. It is correct that a lot of the GPS schools dont have kids trial for these teams as they are already in the Reds u18 program. This schools tournament is completely separate to the Reds pathway

Maybe there are some from those additional schools - he has a lot of inside knowledge and is close to the coaches up there so his info is pretty solid, the point remains though that they are not truly qld rep teams as alot of the gun kids at the other schools aren't there.

 

[bomber06]

NSW 1 up 7-0 on Qld 1.

Good stream quality on my TV, but unfortunately it's a sideline level camera.

YC to Qld for what looked like a dangerous tackle beyond horizontal ,and NSW forward goes in our wide.
NSW 1 12-0 18m left

Where are you streaming it through? Is it free or that paid NSW Rugby site?

 

[moa999]

Free
www.rugby.com.au
Click the main banner, then NSW v Qld game is currently the top streaming box.. expand to full screen
(If you get Tas v NT you've expanded the wrong stream)

 

[moa999]

And NSW 1 in under the posts as YC period ends.
19-0 with 11m left in 1H