U18 Academy Games and Australia U18s

[Major Tom]

Last years team
Australia U18 side to face New Zealand Schools

1. Kingsley Uys – The Southport School
2. John Grenfell – Nudgee College
3. Edwin Langi – Eastern Suburbs Rugby Club
4. Will Ross – Padua College
5. Isaac Fonua – The King’s School
6. Eli Langi – Brisbane State High School
7. Tom Robinson (c) – UQ Rugby Club
8. Heinz Lemoto – The Scots College
9. Angus Grover – St Igantius College, Riverview
10. Jonty Fowler – St Joseph’s College
11. Heamasi Makasini – Newington College
12. Josh Takai – Brothers Rugby Club
13. Frankie Goldsbrough (vc) – Easts Rugby Club
14. Nick Conway – Nudgee College
15. Rex Bassingthwaighte – The Shore School

16. Ewald Kruger – GPS Rugby Club
17. Nick Hill – Barker College
18. Hayden Lavercombe – The King’s School
19. Avery Thomson – GPS Rugby Club
20. Luca Cleverley – Newington College
22. Sam Blank – St Augustine’s College
23. Zach Fittler – The Scots College
26. TJ Talaileva – Barker College

Good to see 80% have been retained for this year or playing U19’s this year.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

I am really impressed with how our pathways system has come along in the past few years, a clear centralised pathway now for players and better talent ID from a younger age. A majority of this Aus 18s starting team today were playing in the squad together two years ago in the Aus 16s vs Pacific All Stars. Reckon we still need to keep this system going for a few years to see more consistant results start to come through in Super Rugby and for the Wallabies.

Absolutely.

A lot of people were shocked and almost hoping for this system to fail because they had old links and nostalgia towards the ASRU but it was a stumbling relic of the amateur era. They did their best but the last thing Rugby needs are more governing bodies. They hated not getting money from RA but also didn't want to relinquish any control to RA. How is a team of kids meant to succeed when Mum and Dad cant organise dinner.

The current set up makes sense. You need everyone on the same page, in the same system. Give it a few years and I'm confident we see the benefit of core groups having played against and with each other from the 16s, 18s, 19s, 20s. I understand some peoples gripes about players not being in these groups early means they are forgotten but I don't buy it with the continuation of Aus Schools and Super Rugby Aus creation. If you play Club Rugby and perform sides can and will give you a crack.

 

[Homer]

Apparently, the Rugby Foundation (or something like that) has raised $450k specifically with the aim of keeping tight five talent in the game. So the equivalent of Makasini's first year salary at the tigers to ensure we have enough depth to compete.
The problem is ensuring they can train in fulltime professional set-ups, not three days a week and then back to a club colts team.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

That's fantastic. Well done to them if true. That's quite a bit if split up and then the Super Rugby sides put their piece in at a development player level.

If then you have young guys getting a FT wage you have them training in the pro system, start some form of study or trade skill and then expect them to be at Club training a few nights a week to start playing. The tight 5 guys are longer term investments. Rugby need to in all likelihood be paying them for 3 years before you get an effective pro performance from them against men.

This is probably relevant to 10 and 12s as well. We expect big things but it takes a few years for physical and mental confidence to kick in and the game slows down for them. We kick them to the curb due to limited resources IMO.

 

[Crashy]

I also think this will help club rugby. As opposed to developing their own talent, a lot of the Shute Shield clubs have raided offshore, country and interstate players which does nothing for the club game. This forces the development of good players back into the system.
if a kid is dominating Shute Shield, then they are ready for Supe I reckon. ( note the word, dominate, not just play first grade).

 

[Mule]

Is also part of the Eels system. So it will be a tough ask. This is where I wish there was some kind of U18s WC structure. Something to give these young guys a broader taste of what is out there in Rugby. Might at least keep them engaged in the game even if they sign for the NRL in the near future.

Union needs to continue doing a much better job of marketing - representing Australia U18s vs NZ in the year they're at school should really be enough to keep them engaged when you're looking at Eels v Dragons SG Ball at shitty WIN Stadium!!! These kids are all about profile and image, pump their tyres and they staying in Union to one day play in the RWC should be a no brainer..... the recent comment by JAS & Marky Mark (Nawaqanitawase) are a great start!! Union has a great pathway, the only 2 things that could be much better: a global U23s level (as the gap between u20s and Test squads is too big), and a National Club Comp in Aus sitting under Super Rugby:
• RA-run National Top 14:
• 5 NSW, 5 QLD, 1 ACT, 1 VIC, 1 WA, 1 Combined States. Important that they’re existing clubs like Warringah, Bond etc to carry forward tribalism…. But have fluid squads* and promotion/relegation so all have something to cherish/aspire too
• Teams: 1st Grade, U23, U20, playing one after the other at the same grounds, home & away with finals etc.
• States deliver all comps below Top 14: champions then have a post season relegation/promotion game against their own states NCC lowest performer.
• *Rosters distributed by RA for competitive balance.

 

[DaSchmooze]

Absolutely.

A lot of people were shocked and almost hoping for this system to fail because they had old links and nostalgia towards the ASRU but it was a stumbling relic of the amateur era. They did their best but the last thing Rugby needs are more governing bodies. They hated not getting money from RA but also didn't want to relinquish any control to RA. How is a team of kids meant to succeed when Mum and Dad cant organise dinner.

The current set up makes sense. You need everyone on the same page, in the same system. Give it a few years and I'm confident we see the benefit of core groups having played against and with each other from the 16s, 18s, 19s, 20s. I understand some peoples gripes about players not being in these groups early means they are forgotten but I don't buy it with the continuation of Aus Schools and Super Rugby Aus creation. If you play Club Rugby and perform sides can and will give you a crack.

This comment should be mandatory reading for anyone who still insists that schools should dictate terms with national pathways. There's plenty of other sports who also fall foul of this thinking too.

i couldn't agree with you more TGOR

 

[Mule]

This comment should be mandatory reading for anyone who still insists that schools should dictate terms with national pathways. There's plenty of other sports who also fall foul of this thinking too.

i couldn't agree with you more TGOR

NZ Schools are Exhibit A: https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/36069...-over-tradition-new-zealand-secondary-schools

 

[rugbyfootyguy]

After watching the first 2 games of the Australia Under 18's campaign, I wouldn't make any changes to the current starting lineup except 2 in particular. Personally I would shift Talen Risati to Fullback, thus pushing Nick Conway on too the wing. I just feel as if Conway can still be used effectively on the wing and still has the ability to shine, unlike Risati who's skillset is wasted on wing and is much rather suited to that of a fullback. Along with that I would also prefer to start TJ Talaileva and move Justice Taumoepeau to the bench.

Just my opinions though

 

[Mule]

After watching the first 2 games of the Australia Under 18's campaign, I wouldn't make any changes to the current starting lineup except 2 in particular. Personally I would shift Talen Risati to Fullback, thus pushing Nick Conway on too the wing. I just feel as if Conway can still be used effectively on the wing and still has the ability to shine, unlike Risati who's skillset is wasted on wing and is much rather suited to that of a fullback. Along with that I would also prefer to start TJ Talaileva and move Justice Taumoepeau to the bench.

Just my opinions though

wonder if any of the 6 who missed out altogether will be swapped into either team??

 

[DaSchmooze]

NZ Schools are Exhibit A: https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/36069...-over-tradition-new-zealand-secondary-schools

The proof of that pudding will be in the eating. One win over them (last year) wasn't a trend, but a big win over them this year certainly looks like the beginning of one. Next year's tournament will be fascinating.

I think I'll add this article to my prescribed reading list - particularly to those who think that RA panders to a handful of schools only.

 

[Major Tom]

After watching the first 2 games of the Australia Under 18's campaign, I wouldn't make any changes to the current starting lineup except 2 in particular. Personally I would shift Talen Risati to Fullback, thus pushing Nick Conway on too the wing. I just feel as if Conway can still be used effectively on the wing and still has the ability to shine, unlike Risati who's skillset is wasted on wing and is much rather suited to that of a fullback. Along with that I would also prefer to start TJ Talaileva and move Justice Taumoepeau to the bench.

Just my opinions though

Yeah I thought Risati was an odd decision to stick on the wing. But then Conway did pretty well at the back. I would either shift Mackay back there and have Risati at flyhalf or have Risati at fullback.

 

[Major Tom]

The proof of that pudding will be in the eating. One win over them (last year) wasn't a trend, but a big win over them this year certainly looks like the beginning of one. Next year's tournament will be fascinating.

I think I'll add this article to my prescribed reading list - particularly to those who think that RA panders to a handful of schools only.

We beat them the year before or 2 years before I’m pretty sure. De Luttis deleted their scrum.

 

[bhim]

We beat them the year before or 2 years before I’m pretty sure. De Luttis deleted their scrum.

Pretty sure that was the Under 20s team we sent over. Massimo's grade missed schoolboys and under 18s to covid.

 

[Major Tom]

Pretty sure that was the Under 20s team we sent over. Massimo's grade missed schoolboys and under 18s to covid.

Ahh yes that’s the one .

 

[cyclopath]

Obviously some great attacking play in that game. Defence on both sides was pretty sketchy though.
Nonetheless, good win by the U-18s.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Happens in the age rep stuff in league and Union.

Attack comes through talented players but defences need to be built and thrive on combinations of guys knowing each other. You can watch two School sides play out a 20/13 game but often rep games end up 45/25 etc. The Schools teams have spent years together. 81 is on the absurd side though and I reckon the NZ backrow and midfield would have got a deserved bake.

I think there will be some changes as the guys in the squad not picked do deserve some game time. Watching the game just gone and the class would tell me their no mugs either. Aus has retained the trophy and this is about an experience for them as well.

I reckon we'll see 3-4 changes in the starting side, same on the bench and then a lot of the guys who get back to back starts come off at HT.

 

[ReeceHodgeOfficial]

We beat them the year before or 2 years before I’m pretty sure. De Luttis deleted their scrum.

Might be thinking of Will Goddard & co's scrum in 2023

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Goddard dog walked them. Went straight from their to Eastwood 1st Grade and didn't look out of place.

 

[Quicktapsonly]

Union needs to continue doing a much better job of marketing - representing Australia U18s vs NZ in the year they're at school should really be enough to keep them engaged when you're looking at Eels v Dragons SG Ball at shitty WIN Stadium!!! These kids are all about profile and image, pump their tyres and they staying in Union to one day play in the RWC should be a no brainer..... the recent comment by JAS & Marky Mark (Nawaqanitawase) (Nawaqanitawase) are a great start!! Union has a great pathway, the only 2 things that could be much better: a global U23s level (as the gap between u20s and Test squads is too big), and a National Club Comp in Aus sitting under Super Rugby:
• RA-run National Top 14:
• 5 NSW, 5 QLD, 1 ACT, 1 VIC, 1 WA, 1 Combined States. Important that they’re existing clubs like Warringah, Bond etc to carry forward tribalism…. But have fluid squads* and promotion/relegation so all have something to cherish/aspire too
• Teams: 1st Grade, U23, U20, playing one after the other at the same grounds, home & away with finals etc.
• States deliver all comps below Top 14: champions then have a post season relegation/promotion game against their own states NCC lowest performer.
• *Rosters distributed by RA for competitive balance.

Cam Murray just said on a podcast he would go back to Union to travel and play footy. These blokes coming through clearly know the lifestyle opportunities.