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I think someone asked the same question on here on page 1 or 2 back in the year 1927. System still seems to be working pretty well ;-)

I may not be answering your question how you wanted...but my view is that sport in this country (and many developed economies) is mostly about attention economics. For example, the sport that gets the most attention, drives the most interest, and therefore, increases participation etc...

I reckon if you ran an AI over this forum, looked for keywords, sentiment and patterns - there would be some golden nuggets in there ;-)

Thanks - yes, very close to that bunch. I was actually at that match where the U14 boys beat the U15 group. They are in the same grade at school as my son, but he plays an age group down. Let's hope they are just a talented group. There are several young boys who have been debuted in the...

You are right - Kings, New and Scots have multiple 16 year olds this year...which is both good and bad. Why do we think the number is higher this year? Is it an anomaly i.e. a talented group, or are issues with depth in the Opens (Yr 11-12)? Keen to hear some thoughts.

"The most recent U19s Super Rugby showed why the Brumbies remain the best Australian side. They aren't getting the rejects, they identify need and get what they need to fix it. They build the chip on the shoulder culture in the 90s which now means when you show up you better be ready to win."...

This is bang on mate i.e. you have identified a huge problem - our game has become disconnected at so many levels. A large part of the RA agenda is to bring the game together and align the states etc. There's all this talk about fixing the grassroots game. How about we just admit that the GPS...

Team v Individual. Sadly, an NRL contract is more important to most lads than a GPS Prem. Both ideal - but seldom achieved.

Were they even considered, given their connections to league? Are RA (now the Waratahs) applying similar principles to the open boys, where they wont continue to invest in boys who are clearly committed to League?

No, they just not good enough ;-)

Yeah, real interesting...however, what might be even more interesting is the result between CIS and CHS. How do they typically compare? I feel like the boys from Westfield, Endeavour etc might give the private school boys a pretty decent hit out?

Given where Rugby is heading in the country as half of our 1st XV head to the NRL, theres a rosy future in Netball talent. Which sport is gonna grab them?

I think you’ll find the players of national interest list will refresh after these lads play Tonga etc?

Theres definitely a culture difference...we probs bitch and complain a bit more up here ;-). I am actually a Queenslander, so I plead not guilty. However, more seriously - it has a lot to do with simple numbers...NSW has the most players....most athletes etc, and the most depth. Then they grow...

Yes, very conditions specific. I noticed at the trials a week ago that there were some lads with very good feet, but average hands and eyes - i.e. had a flying winger outside in the clear, and died with the ball. All comes down to what game we want to play huh?

Yep, I am very close to several families in the same boat. My own son has had similar opportunities with cricket. He is at GPS, and we play full fees...but do have offers of reduced fees, which we declined. The only issue with this is that the talented boys do find it easier to get into GPS...

This squad will be completely revised over the next few weeks. BTW, Walsh played 15 in the last few matches of the U18 tournament n NZ. There are several quite serious injuries among those players, and a few have also strong connections i.e. signed with NRL clubs....and a few might even drop...

What he said.

I don't disagree - but doesn't every central organisation face this issue i.e. Fed Gov v States v councils in Aus, Fed v States in USA, FIFA v National Football orgs, etc etc. In my mind, less of a plague, and more of a bacteria..which we all need to survive, and the balance of good v bad...

I like some of you ideas re: re-focusing resources. However, schools with a lot of tradition, history, track record, and powerful networks will always use this to attract talent...it happens everywhere in the world, in every sector every day. If we don't like it - re-assign and identify as an...