AIC Rugby 2015

[Prince Henry]

Just had the pleasure of watching an outstanding performance at Ashgrove today. Although they lost to Padua last week, I can see at least half a dozen of the team potentially making AIC 1. Most notably, the blindside flanker. Wratten??? Scored a hatrick and every try was based off individual brilliance, also great defence. Watch out for him this season. Sad to see an Iona side with such little fight after many years of such strong first teams.

Outstanding? I'm not sure you could call today's game anything but boring. Ashgrove were playing a clearly inferior team, had scored 5 easy tries by half time with only one conversion and then the second half was so boring, most people left to go and watch Premier Grade at GPS. Marist were not playing as a team, 9 and 10 passes were mostly behind their ball runners and 15 was hogging it all day. They should have won by 70 but played like they were still getting over last week's loss. How MCA continue to pick the soft running 13 is beyond most of the supporters I was sitting with. Best players were hard running 12 and the pack easily accounted for the Iona forwards but the backs were very ordinary.

 

[Prince Henry]

Couldn't agree more. Absolutely outstanding performance from a number of Marist players, in particular I was extremely happy with the performance from Wratten (who is in year 11 mind you), the halfback Day (grade 10) as well as McKinnon (plays in second row). Ashgrove were a quality side today, unfortunate we won't see how they go against the likes of Eddies.

MCA seconds won convincingly, 66 - 10 or so I believe? Not 100% certain though.

Forwards were good. 9 and 10 for MCA were not throwing First XV standard passes. Just put it in front of your outside men and you'll look much better. The 10 is a beautiful runner but is clearly a Leaguie who props before passing. Wasn't helped by some passes at his ankles from 9.

 

[harriez_94]

Outstanding? I'm not sure you could call today's game anything but boring. Ashgrove were playing a clearly inferior team, had scored 5 easy tries by half time with only one conversion and then the second half was so boring, most people left to go and watch Premier Grade at GPS. Marist were not playing as a team, 9 and 10 passes were mostly behind their ball runners and 15 was hogging it all day. They should have won by 70 but played like they were still getting over last week's loss. How MCA continue to pick the soft running 13 is beyond most of the supporters I was sitting with. Best players were hard running 12 and the pack easily accounted for the Iona forwards but the backs were very ordinary.

Clearly an upset Iona supporter. I found the game extremely entertaining. It's subject to opinion my friend. I though the 9, Day, had a great game in comparison with his last performance against Padua. I can however see where you are coming from about the 13. I heard amongst parents he plays Prop in a Queensland rugby league competition? I'm not entirely sure about the truth surround this, but if that is the case he should definitely be having more of an impact in the game.

 

[Prince Henry]

Clearly an upset Iona supporter. I found the game extremely entertaining. It's subject to opinion my friend. I though the 9, Day, had a great game in comparison with his last performance against Padua. I can however see where you are coming from about the 13. I heard amongst parents he plays Prop in a Queensland rugby league competition? I'm not entirely sure about the truth surround this, but if that is the case he should definitely be having more of an impact in the game.

No mate, not an Iona supporter at all. Didn't see Padua game but just thought today the Ashgrove boys decided once they had scored a few tries that it was more important to impress the AIC selectors as individuals than play as a team. Why would you kick possession away when you're up by 30 or not pass to your left winger in space twice when the white line beckoned? Strange tactics

 

[harriez_94]

No mate, not an Iona supporter at all. Didn't see Padua game but just thought today the Ashgrove boys decided once they had scored a few tries that it was more important to impress the AIC selectors as individuals than play as a team. Why would you kick possession away when you're up by 30 or not pass to your left winger in space twice when the white line beckoned? Strange tactics

I honestly think that's a bit far fetched, if you're talking about the 15 I do understand he should have given the ball on a number of occasions. However if you're referring to the likes of Wratten crossing for 3.. As someone said earlier I thought they were all attributed to sheer individual brilliance.. Anyway each to their own.

 

[Corne Uyc]

Outstanding? I'm not sure you could call today's game anything but boring. Ashgrove were playing a clearly inferior team, had scored 5 easy tries by half time with only one conversion and then the second half was so boring, most people left to go and watch Premier Grade at GPS. Marist were not playing as a team, 9 and 10 passes were mostly behind their ball runners and 15 was hogging it all day. They should have won by 70 but played like they were still getting over last week's loss. How MCA continue to pick the soft running 13 is beyond most of the supporters I was sitting with. Best players were hard running 12 and the pack easily accounted for the Iona forwards but the backs were very ordinary.

Agree with this level headed summary. The game at Ashgrove today was more about how bad Iona were than how good Ashgrove are. And yes, Ashgrove should have won by 70 or 80 but just lack class. 10 dropped too many cold. 9 was average. 12 received the ball flat footed too many times. He has great feet but rubbish defence allowed him chance to run. 13 was all noise early but ran out of puff and did little. Thought the locks and props were ok. 6 did score three tries but seemed to be in the right place. His impact at the ruck was minimal. Only thing worth mentioning about Iona was the turnstiles in the mid field.
Facts are, sure some Ashgrove kids may make an AIC team, but no one I have seen in three AIC matches now is banging down the door for a QLD spot. The skill level of the comp seems to be getting worse in recent years.

 

[macdaddy]

Agree with this level headed summary. The game at Ashgrove today was more about how bad Iona were than how good Ashgrove are. And yes, Ashgrove should have won by 70 or 80 but just lack class. 10 dropped too many cold. 9 was average. 12 received the ball flat footed too many times. He has great feet but rubbish defence allowed him chance to run. 13 was all noise early but ran out of puff and did little. Thought the locks and props were ok. 6 did score three tries but seemed to be in the right place. His impact at the ruck was minimal. Only thing worth mentioning about Iona was the turnstiles in the mid field.
Facts are, sure some Ashgrove kids may make an AIC team, but no one I have seen in three AIC matches now is banging down the door for a QLD spot. The skill level of the comp seems to be getting worse in recent years.

You don't think Creighton or O'Toole could make a run at one of the QLD teams? Interesting point about the skill level. The Ashgrove dynasty has surely run its course in 1st XV Rugby and the gap between Marist and the pack has drawn a lot closer, but Peters, Pats, Padua and Eddies have all generally been towards the top of the ladder in the last few years as opposed to always lurking around the bottom towards the end of the last decade. From an outsiders perspective, I wonder if GPS poaching could have anything to do with the skill level as I know that basically most AIC schools are putting a lot more focus into their rugby programs now than maybe they had in years goneby.

 

[Fat jack]

Couldn't agree more. Absolutely outstanding performance from a number of Marist players, in particular I was extremely happy with the performance from Wratten (who is in year 11 mind you), the halfback Day (grade 10) as well as McKinnon (plays in second row). Ashgrove were a quality side today, unfortunate we won't see how they go against the likes of Eddies.

MCA seconds won convincingly, 66 - 10 or so I believe? Not 100% certain though.

 

[rugbyXV]

The last 3 games I have seen of Padua they have shown tremendous strength. Watched Padua vs Eddies and Eddies have a lot of players who were hyped up but didn't perform that well. Padua's next few games won't be a problem and if anything it was a benefit that they played the 3 toughest teams in the competition straight up. I will predict the AIC 1 team not sure about the names.

AIC 1 XV

1. LHP Liam ADAMS, #1 Marist College Ashgrove
2. H - Jack KELLY, #1 St Patrick's College
3. THP Thomas O'TOOLE, #3 Padua College
4. RL Michael WOOD, #4 Padua College
5. LL Sonny Ah SAN, #5 Padua College
6. BSF Justin SIKIMETI, #6 St Patrick's College
7. OSF Wyatt SETU, #6 St Edmund's College
8. No 8 Archie TAYLOR, #8 St Edmund's College
9. Half Max BAKER, #9 Villanova College
10. Fly L Lawson CREIGHTON, #10 Padua College
11. Wing Andrew RICHARDSON, #15 St Edmund's College
12. IC Mana CECIL, #12 St Patrick's College
13. OC Gabriel KOPANA, #13 Marist College Ashgrove
14. Wing Campbell MOHR, #15 Marist College Ashgrove
15. FB John HONOUR, #15 Padua College

#1 should either be Liam Usher, Liam Adams or Tom Rafter. I do think Ashgrove may get 1 prop in for their dominate scrum. Otherwise Eddies #2 Josh Schweitzer will come in which may be the case however Jack Kelly has played all positions in the front row before and can throw in the line out. Kelly and O'Toole are key players. Michael Wood and Sonny Ah San are by far hands down the best locks. Wood has a great running game and San is by far the best player in AIC at counter racking and being a pest, I honestly don't think he gets the credit he deserves for his work in the rack. Sikimeti and Taylor are great runners. Setu had a great game against Padua today with countless steals and made numerous game saving tackles on their 22 and on O'Toole. Schwenke was not as effective as he was against Ashgrove and may be a key player of the bench. Baker as potential on making queensland and MacDonald isn't the same as last year. Creighton is superb and knows when to run or pass, if he does confro I see Auld taking his place but I'm told he will play AIC. Richardson is better on the wing and I do think he will get picked on the wing as will Mohr. Honour has been great and shows up every game. Cecil and Kopana for inside and outside centre but depending on what is happening with Josh Fernandez. It may be too late for him but I can easily seeing him playing 12 if he comes back next week and shows coaches his skill.

 

[Fat jack]

The last 3 games I have seen of Padua they have shown tremendous strength. Watched Padua vs Eddies and Eddies have a lot of players who were hyped up but didn't perform that well. Padua's next few games won't be a problem and if anything it was a benefit that they played the 3 toughest teams in the competition straight up. I will predict the AIC 1 team not sure about the names.

AIC 1 XV

1. LHP Liam ADAMS, #1 Marist College Ashgrove
2. H - Jack KELLY, #1 St Patrick's College
3. THP Thomas O'TOOLE, #3 Padua College
4. RL Michael WOOD, #4 Padua College
5. LL Sonny Ah SAN, #5 Padua College
6. BSF Justin SIKIMETI, #6 St Patrick's College
7. OSF Wyatt SETU, #6 St Edmund's College
8. No 8 Archie TAYLOR, #8 St Edmund's College
9. Half Max BAKER, #9 Villanova College
10. Fly L Lawson CREIGHTON, #10 Padua College
11. Wing Andrew RICHARDSON, #15 St Edmund's College
12. IC Mana CECIL, #12 St Patrick's College
13. OC Gabriel KOPANA, #13 Marist College Ashgrove
14. Wing Campbell MOHR, #15 Marist College Ashgrove
15. FB John HONOUR, #15 Padua College

#1 should either be Liam Usher, Liam Adams or Tom Rafter. I do think Ashgrove may get 1 prop in for their dominate scrum. Otherwise Eddies #2 Josh Schweitzer will come in which may be the case however Jack Kelly has played all positions in the front row before and can throw in the line out. Kelly and O'Toole are key players. Michael Wood and Sonny Ah San are by far hands down the best locks. Wood has a great running game and San is by far the best player in AIC at counter racking and being a pest, I honestly don't think he gets the credit he deserves for his work in the rack. Sikimeti and Taylor are great runners. Setu had a great game against Padua today with countless steals and made numerous game saving tackles on their 22 and on O'Toole. Schwenke was not as effective as he was against Ashgrove and may be a key player of the bench. Baker as potential on making queensland and MacDonald isn't the same as last year. Creighton is superb and knows when to run or pass, if he does confro I see Auld taking his place but I'm told he will play AIC. Richardson is better on the wing and I do think he will get picked on the wing as will Mohr. Honour has been great and shows up every game. Cecil and Kopana for inside and outside centre but depending on what is happening with Josh Fernandez. It may be too late for him but I can easily seeing him playing 12 if he comes back next week and shows coaches his skill.

Wouldn't be picking Ashgrove #15 he's a ball hog also #13 for Ashgrove needs to pick up his game if he has any chance. Agree with Ashgrove # 3 Liam Adams outstanding player.

 

[Fat jack]

Ashgrove v Iona today. Should have been a cricket score if they had a decent goal kicker. Outstanding player for me today were Wratten, Enright, McKinnon and Sullivan. All those boys played well. #15 is a ball hog and cost the team 3+ tries if he would only pass the ball to the wing.

 

[Corne Uyc]

You don't think Creighton or O'Toole could make a run at one of the QLD teams? Interesting point about the skill level. The Ashgrove dynasty has surely run its course in 1st XV Rugby and the gap between Marist and the pack has drawn a lot closer, but Peters, Pats, Padua and Eddies have all generally been towards the top of the ladder in the last few years as opposed to always lurking around the bottom towards the end of the last decade. From an outsiders perspective, I wonder if GPS poaching could have anything to do with the skill level as I know that basically most AIC schools are putting a lot more focus into their rugby programs now than maybe they had in years goneby.

Yet to see Padua play so can't comment on them.
Sure the Ashgrove golden years are gone but they aren't just coming back to the pack, they are in the middle of the pack. And have been for years. They don't insight threat fear factor into their opponents anymore. Maybe they need to wear the orangey gold jersey of rather than the yellow they have adopted.
Skill level and speed of GPS matches is significantly greater than AIC. It's not just a poaching thing. Yes, there is some of that going on but core skills seem to be lacking. SPLC can't pass to his right, and he's a halfback! Just one of many examples.
And a prior post says the Ashgrove 13 should play AIC 1!! Case in point. If he is the best in the comp there is a problem

 

[rugbyXV]

In regards to Ashgrove's FB Mohr, he may have been a ball hog against Iona but that's why I've named him wing. Plus you can't judge him against his performances against Iona when they smashed them. Players tend to get greedy. I personally think Josh Fernandez should be 13 as from what i've seen in footage he is a great all round player. Doubt he will be back this year but due to him reportedly needing surgery on his hamstring or something similar to that.

 

[Citizen]

Anyone have any news on 2nd XV rugby? SLC and MCA in particular

Check a newpaper

 

[Big Franky]

Anyone have any news on 2nd XV rugby? SLC and MCA in particular

ASH 66 - 10 Iona in 2nd XV I believe

 

[Big Franky]

Couldn't agree more. Absolutely outstanding performance from a number of Marist players, in particular I was extremely happy with the performance from Wratten (who is in year 11 mind you), the halfback Day (grade 10) as well as McKinnon (plays in second row). Ashgrove were a quality side today, unfortunate we won't see how they go against the likes of Eddies.

MCA seconds won convincingly, 66 - 10 or so I believe? Not 100% certain though.

What number was McKinnon wearing? I think there was a mix up in numbers when they announced the two locks McKinnon and Enright

 

[harriez_94]

What number was McKinnon wearing? I think there was a mix up in numbers when they announced the two locks McKinnon and Enright

Not entirely sure. He was the one wearing the blue headgear i believe? Hope I got it right..

 

[Big Franky]

Absolutely - lets be real for a second - NO Marist player outperformed his Paduan counterpart at Banyou last weekend - that is why MCA lost - they played ok and certainly didn't have a bad day, the defence was just too strong - the only MCA players that came close to matching their opposite number were the inside centre (PNG boy who was well contained), No.1 prop (good performance against bigger opposition) and the fullback who was quite elusive. If MCA gets a higher representation it would be selection (confirmation) bias - IMO Ashgrove played a brave game but gave up early in the second half when they realised they were not going to break the Paduan defensive line, which don't forget, was a man down for half the game as well.

I will comfortably disagree. Just because the Paduan forwards were a lot more rough and dirty around the breakdown and in lineouts does not mean they are more skillful. O'Toole was very well dealt with by the Ashgrove #1 Rafter, Wood was impressive however. The Padua 5 and 7 need to work on not giving away so many penalties... The Paduan 7 may have got 1 or 2 pilfers, but gave away about 8 penalties in the process... A lot of potential in the Paduan side although, was an impressive game.

 

[behindthescenes]

You don't think Creighton or O'Toole could make a run at one of the QLD teams? Interesting point about the skill level. The Ashgrove dynasty has surely run its course in 1st XV Rugby and the gap between Marist and the pack has drawn a lot closer, but Peters, Pats, Padua and Eddies have all generally been towards the top of the ladder in the last few years as opposed to always lurking around the bottom towards the end of the last decade. From an outsiders perspective, I wonder if GPS poaching could have anything to do with the skill level as I know that basically most AIC schools are putting a lot more focus into their rugby programs now than maybe they had in years goneby.

Mate O'Toole is an almost certainty, and Creighton will play confra so we'll never know.

 

[behindthescenes]

I will comfortably disagree. Just because the Paduan forwards were a lot more rough and dirty around the breakdown and in lineouts does not mean they are more skillful. O'Toole was very well dealt with by the Ashgrove #1 Rafter, Wood was impressive however. The Padua 5 and 7 need to work on not giving away so many penalties. The Paduan 7 may have got 1 or 2 pilfers, but gave away about 8 penalties in the process. A lot of potential in the Paduan side although, was an impressive game.

Alot more "rough & dirty" ... do tell?