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And here's yet another club that presumably has a hands-off policy. Gordon apparently is opposed to "stealing of other clubs juniors directly out of school". As the Good Book reminds us, stealing, i.e., the taking of another's possessions, is always a sin. It would save a lot of...

I think you're worrying unnecessarily, Lindommer.West Harbour has two academies, Sydney Uni has none. Also "West Harbour have had long and fruitful relationships with those inner western schools who play rugby which results in a steady trickle of boys from Ashfield BHS, Concord HS, Fort Street...

Newb, I doubt that McCalman will have to wait for anyone to move on in order to get "a spot".

To the best of my knowledge Ben doesn't have an abnormal wing span, LG. The only reason for using him as a 2nd rower at Uni this season would have been because the club is so well endowed with quality back rowers. 6 or 8 is his go.

I've only just opened this thread, being misled by the title. Thanks, Scarfman, for creating and maintaining a site that is a pleasure to be part of.

dobduff wouldn't happen to be a Pommy nephew of yours by any chance, Lee? At least your rugby obsession appears to be largely confined to Australia, whereas dd seems to keep tabs on the rugby universe.

Newter, your assumption that "all the franchises and national set ups must be doing very much the same things in the gym and in training" is challenged by looking at the two strength and conditioning coaches with whom Robbie Deans has been associated in recent years; Ashley Jones at the...

Welcome, Newter. A very impressive initial post. To me it is intriguing that the overwhelming majority of observers of our sport immediately discount the strength factor when analysing the reasons for teams' success or failure, as you have done above. Since 2003 Ashley Jones has been...

Not really, Life's Good. Hugh Janus covered the situation with Uni Rugby's relationship with the University quite well. As you know I have gone to some pains earlier to try to explain the Sydney Uni system. Overall I think there has been a reasonably balanced discussion in this thread. One...

wamberal, of last Sunday's run-on side, nine are either current or past Sydney Uni students while another five are studying or have studied elsewhere while playing for the University.

I have no knowledge, observer, as to why he is playing at Uni. Possibly, as you suggested on another thread, it is linked to his educational aspirations.

I agree with you, Upright. Players and their parents have to weigh up the relative advantages of switching to a new club or staying with the club where they already have affiliation and as you say they are "well entrenched".

Drew, there are only a few school leavers who are given scholarships when they join Sydney Uni. They are awarded for one year at a time and their monetary value would average around $2000. In addition there are a range of support services such as gym membership, participation in the EDS program...

Cutter, I stated that Upright was misinformed when he stated: "My observation is that Uni approach everyone who has been in either NTS or NSW schools." The misinformation lies in the word "everyone". It would be totally counterproductive to approach a player who then finds that he was just part...

While I agree strongly with your sentiments here, tb, I am confused by your mention of "Uni placement and fees combo". Could you expand on this, please?

You are misinformed.

Unfortunately, AD, that may well be the case, but I know where he would prefer to play. Similarly, Lawrie Weeks is doing penance for signing with the Rebels by being forced to play for UQ rather than Sydney Uni. As he is still being paid by the Reds until the expiry of his contract he doesn't...

E'nE, McDuling has already been signed by the Reds for their professional academy. My mail was that Link was interested in the pair of them. Given that he now has a roster cluttered with ageing locks, he probably only had room for one of them. I think he may have made the right call in going for...

Sam Carter has just turned 21, LG. Certainly no disgrace the way that Dave Dennis has been playing in recent weeks. His form is markedly better than when Deans picked him for the Spring Tour.

I have previously mentioned the young Uni lock, Sam Carter. He had an absolute blinder against Gordon on Sunday. At 200cm he weighs 110kg with sub-60 cm skinfolds. His mature playing weight should be around 120kg. He has been pushed back to 2nds a few times to accommodate Dave Dennis in the...