U18 Academy Games and Australia U18s

[Marist Mauler]

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.

This approach would be awesome. It would take a long time to get up and running effectively, but most definitely worth the effort

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

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.

Might get his chance. Apparently the R360 concept has hit the targets required to activate its funding. According to a message from Mike Tindal to the players they've secured 3 years worth of funding.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

He's one guy I can see making the shift for his futures sake. He's not a big guy, plays in the middle and is seemingly stacking up injuries from the toil. He'd slot in at 12 like he did as a School Boy at Newington but I don't know if he'd have the same speed as he once did.

He may only be 27 but his body has copped a lot more than the age reflects. I remember people thinking McCaw had more to give but the guy had red lined his body for so long.

 

[Adam84]

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.

What, he doesn’t tick his travel bug with bus trips to Cambletown and Penrith?

 

[Mule]

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

but we lost those games home (both at Viking Park) : wilted in the second halves much like (but not to the same level) NZSS did earlier this week

 

[bhim]

but we lost those games home and away : wilted in the second halves much like (but not to the same level) NZSS did earlier this week

We played them twice in NZ for that series, both in Wellington. Winning the first game 34-26 and just losing the second game 19-18.
Played them for a third time later that year for 5th place at the World Champs and beat them 44-35.

 

[Mule]

We played them twice in NZ for that series, both in Wellington. Winning the first game 34-26 and just losing the second game 19-18.
Played them for a third time later that year for 5th place at the World Champs and beat them 44-35.

sorry I'm talking about the 2023 U18 games held in the ACT, where Goddard played THP and won a few scrum penalties...

 

[bomber06]

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.

What should 100% be happening now that RA has funding is ensuring there are annual U18 tours to the UK & Ireland. Play games against the schoolboy teams of the Home Unions. Coincide the tours as much as possible with the Wallabies Spring tour. Give them opportunities to train together, along with going to each other's games to support (play u18s during the week prior to the Wallabies test).

That tyep of tour would be beneficial for player development - different conditions against teams playing a different style - plus its a great retention tool. Expose them to overseas tours, mingling with the Wallaby players, going to packed out stadiums to watch the big boys play, sucking it all in.

Absolutely brilliant for those kids selected and would just reap benefits all over the place.

 

[Mule]

What should 100% be happening now that RA has funding is ensuring there are annual U18 tours to the UK & Ireland. Play games against the schoolboy teams of the Home Unions. Coincide the tours as much as possible with the Wallabies Spring tour. Give them opportunities to train together, along with going to each other's games to support (play u18s during the week prior to the Wallabies test).

That tyep of tour would be beneficial for player development - different conditions against teams playing a different style - plus its a great retention tool. Expose them to overseas tours, mingling with the Wallaby players, going to packed out stadiums to watch the big boys play, sucking it all in.

Absolutely brilliant for those kids selected and would just reap benefits all over the place.

you'd have a few declining the opportunity I reckon - little prep due to exams, rolling into schoolies (which isn't just Surfers Paradise these days), etc

 

[bomber06]

you'd have a few declining the opportunity I reckon - little prep due to exams, rolling into schoolies (which isn't just Surfers Paradise these days), etc

I think most if not all would forgo schoolies for a rugby trip to the UK. When it happened in the past it rarely happened. Not sure why it would have changed now.

 

[bhim]

What should 100% be happening now that RA has funding is ensuring there are annual U18 tours to the UK & Ireland. Play games against the schoolboy teams of the Home Unions. Coincide the tours as much as possible with the Wallabies Spring tour. Give them opportunities to train together, along with going to each other's games to support (play u18s during the week prior to the Wallabies test).

That tyep of tour would be beneficial for player development - different conditions against teams playing a different style - plus its a great retention tool. Expose them to overseas tours, mingling with the Wallaby players, going to packed out stadiums to watch the big boys play, sucking it all in.

Absolutely brilliant for those kids selected and would just reap benefits all over the place.

Aus Schoolboys used to do this every 6 or so years. The more games these guys play together against high level competition the better.

 

[bomber06]

Aus Schoolboys used to do this every 6 or so years. The more games these guys play together against high level competition the better.

yearly might be a pipe dream, but it would be a great investment.