Australian Schoolboys 2014

[Hugh Jarse]

In terms of standardised guidance for Illegal and/or Foul Play and Misconduct, IRB Regulation 17 applies, and is used by nearly all judiciaries to assist to determine sanctions for citings.

Judiciary Entry Point Based on Scale of Seriousness of the Player’s conduct, which constitutes the offending.

Law No 10.4(e) Dangerous tackling of an Opponent including early or late and including the action known as the “stiff arm tackle”
Lower End 2 weeks, Mid Range 6 weeks, Top End 10+ weeks, Maximum Sanction 52 weeks

I suspect this will be judged a mid range offence, and that the sanction imposed will be reduced due to some of the mitigating factors discussed above.



Having said that, we probably need to think about moving on from THAT TACKLE, and get back to the general wang about the Team, and how we are going to beat The Darkness on Saturday.

 

[RedsHappy]

Disappointing that Jackson-Hope got himself sent off in the first two minutes. That completely killed the game for us. I thought the team played pretty well to be in contention for most of the match. 15 v 15 that would have most likely been a close game.

Goddard was a clear standout for Australia. That kid could be phenomenal.

I thought our winger, Sepesa Loga-Tarogi was also really good.

Summerhayes had plenty of good involvements but certainly plays like a 'notta'. His best position seems to be 6 (which is where he normally plays).

Our props look likely in open play but they really need to work on their handling and ball security.

I have commented above re what I thought are areas that must be improved in our team for Saturday's Test, but I am more than inclined to endorse again the validity of BH's highlighted comment above.

S15 fans: cast your minds back to March-April 2012. The Reds lose their 10 playing the Sharks away, and a back up 10 goes down as well, and this pattern continues for further games. The Reds entire coherence and structures were badly affected and the team suffered serious losses as a result in these particular matches. And this was in a scenario of injury part-way through the matches not at the very start and where the injured player could be replaced by a utility back within a broader team set-up where most players had successfully played together for some years.

None of those somewhat better back-up and context factors as noted above were true of our Aus Schoolboys yesterday. Their 10 was out for 96% of the match and could not be replaced at all with any form of back-up player. And this is a team of 16/17/18 year olds that's been together for all of 9 days or so.

So, I conclude that in fairness our boys did very bloody well indeed to hold on as they did, keep attacking as they did, score some excellent tries and keep the final scoring gap under embarrassing levels. If anything, their relative composure, demonstrable grit and toughness under huge pressure could be a favourable omen for Saturday's Test.

 

[S'UP]

Watching the game last night I thought our urgency at the breakdown was lacking, plenty of ball runners but not many willing to get over the ball. Goddard was good but didn't have his best defensive game but he is only 16. The backs overall showed they had plenty to offer but lacked support at the breakdown which resulted in too many turnovers.

 

[Tahspark]

It they were to call another #10 into the squad, and I reckon that is rather unlikely (but possible), my money would be on it being Jack McGregor (NSW II) or Alex Horan (QLD 1).

You can get in the queue now to collect, HJ. My mail is that McGregor will be travelling to NZ tomorrow to take his place on the bench for Saturday's test. He is a near certainty to be the first choice #10 in 2015.

For those not familiar with NSW GPS, McGregor had an outstanding season for Riverview. He performs the core skill sets of a #10 superbly and has great vision. He plays a bit "Foley-like" on the game line and keeps the defence guessing.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Don't tell our Kiwi friends all our secrets @Inside Shoulder.

We are going to need all the help we can get on Saturday.

So no more snitching, OK.

 

[Inside Shoulder]

Don't tell our Kiwi friends all our secrets @Inside Shoulder.

We are going to need all the help we can get on Saturday.

So no more snitching, OK.

Deleted HJ.
Good point.

 

[Lee Grant]

Well done to McGregor being chosen to fly over.

He was outstanding in the nationals when he got a chance to play flyhalf instead of fullback where he was chosen for NSW II.

There was not a struck match between O'Shea and him in the GPS and O'Shea was outstanding every week.

Perhaps Jack Mac was discriminated against because of his youth when the original NSW flyhalf selections were made—and when candidates are close in ability it is not the worst rule-of-thumb.

One thing for sure: Oz Schools is going to have three top goal kickers in their 23.

He is a near certainty to be the first choice #10 in 2015.

The 9. Goddard and 10. McGregor halves pairing for next year has been mooted for some time and the prospect of it is mouth-watering, provided we get some bruising forwards to put their hands up in 2015 to provide and protect decent ball.

And if there are better players in the positions in the country next season it will even better news for Oz.
.

 

[aka_the_think]

Well done to McGregor being chosen to fly over.

Excellent effort and very welcomed news. Should have been there from the start in this selector's notes, and I expect he'll have a healthy impact on the game.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Congratulations to Jac Mac. Gives us cover at #10 and #15 on the bench, addressing concerns about our reliance on O'Shea and Fulivai to be uninjured and to have great games in the Test.

Changes to my Test Team posted at post #263 (page 14) would be
22. Jack McGREGOR St Ignatius’ College NSW 2

Kicking Tee
Ned YEOMANS —Kinross Wolaroi School CS

 

[Inside Shoulder]

Congratulations to Jac Mac. Gives us cover at #10 and #15 on the bench, addressing concerns about our reliance on O'Shea and Fulivai to be uninjured and to have great games in the Test.

Changes to my Test Team posted at post #263 (page 14) would be
22. Jack McGREGOR St Ignatius’ College NSW 2

Kicking Tee
Ned YEOMANS —Kinross Wolaroi School CS

Hard on Yeomans based on what Ive seen (3/4) of the baa baa's game: he is the only back who looks like beating a man.

 

[random2]

Gee you'd feel hard done by if you were dropped for a bloke who only came into camp 2 days before the test, expecially Yeomans who was one of our best on Tuesday and from all reports he can play 10 if needed.

 

[Brian Westlake]

Hard on Yeomans based on what Ive seen (3/4) of the baa baa's game: he is the only back who looks like beating a man.

You must remember IS, that this is only Mssr Jarse's opinion that Jack comes in instead of Ned. And we all know how wrong he can be

And as far as having all these great running forwards, what about getting the basics right too? Clean outs, rucking and mauling are a part of every players game now. If you cannot do it, get some one who can. This is being seen in 20's/colts all over the place. Don't hang back looking to impress the selectors with a barn storming run. Take 3 opposition to ground with you and stand there and applaud when the winger does his job scoring the try.
I know I digressed, but Ned Yeomans would be in my starting team because he is prepared to do the meat and potatoes work. This wins games

 

[pablo]

Gee you'd feel hard done by if you were dropped for a bloke who only came into camp 2 days before the test, expecially Yeomans who was one of our best on Tuesday and from all reports he can play 10 if needed.

Is a hard call if it does happen, but team balance is a big thing to consider going into the last game.....you'd have to think they might be heading this way if they flew him over for the last game (or maybe the just had some extra kit they needed to dish out )

 

[Hugh Jarse]

The "Test Team" is my take on what I think the Selectors will name.

Why fly a kid over to NZ if he isn't going to be in the 23 for the one game that he will be with the wider squad for?
Additionally that kid has proved that he can play #10 and #15. These are positions where we currently have no real depth in assuming that JJH will be suspended for at least one game. Wouldn't you name a lad like that on the bench?

There are 12 backs in NZ. 7 will start and it is nearly certain that the Selectors will name 3 backs on the bench. It is a given that JJH will not be part of the 23. That means that in addition to JJH, one back will not be in the 23 named for Saturday's Test.

Along with JJH, which of the backs in the squad will also miss out on being in the 23 for Saturday?
Both halfbacks will be named in the 23. Goddard will most likely start.
O'Shea is guaranteed the #10 jumper now.
Fulivai has guaranteed himself the #15 jumper.
Fittock will be a starting winger.
Perese didn't do all that much that was outstanding in the Barbars game, but he has a good rugby CV and is favoured by the Selectors as witnessed by his inclusion in the final 3 names for the tour. Can't see him missing out on the 23 for Saturday.
Tuipulotu is a clear favourite with the selectors, and stood out at Nationals. If he doesn't start on Saturday, I can't see him being left out of the 23.
Tuimaleali'ifano also had a great National tournament, and has shown that he can play Wing or Centre. It would be a surprise not to see him in the 23 for Saturday.
Loga-Tarogi has a ton of pace, and seemed to go OK against the Barbars. He is a specialist winger and this should keep him in the 23, because we have a surplus of centres, and not enough outside backs or halves.
From the start Yeomans was not a favourite of the selectors, despite his talent. ISA only chose him in their 2nd XV. NSW Selectors didn't want him. Aust Selectors didn't want him initially, and despite being in the shadow, wasn't included in the extra 3 names. He wasn't chosen in the squad for the Fiji game. Despite a reasonable performance against the Barbars, I reckon the Selectors will find a reason not to select him for Saturday.


The bottom line is that one of the backs will not be in the 23 (along with JJH).

Who do you think that the Selectors will leave out?
This could be a different answer to the question of who would you leave out if you were the Selectors.

 

[Inside Shoulder]

You must remember IS, that this is only Mssr Jarse's opinion that Jack comes in instead of Ned. And we all know how wrong he can be

And as far as having all these great running forwards, what about getting the basics right too? Clean outs, rucking and mauling are a part of every players game now. If you cannot do it, get some one who can. This is being seen in 20's/colts all over the place. Don't hang back looking to impress the selectors with a barn storming run. Take 3 opposition to ground with you and stand there and applaud when the winger does his job scoring the try.
I know I digressed, but Ned Yeomans would be in my starting team because he is prepared to do the meat and potatoes work. This wins games

Is Jarse carrying a torch for Jack McGregor. I'm almost tempted to re-post my analysis of him.
I was completely underwhelmed by the individual skills of the side against the Baa Baa's.

 

[Open Side]

Brian Westlake & IS......agree with your comments about the need for players to do the grunt work...clean out, rucking, mauling, offensive defense and running directly at the opposition. Exactly why Rudolf & other NSW forwards should have been selected.Aust didn't win many collisions or breakdowns last Tues.

McGregor's call up makes sense to cover 10 & 15 but also agree that Yeomans & Logo - Tarogi performed strongly from what I saw in Tuesday's match.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Is Jarse carrying a torch for Jack McGregor. I'm almost tempted to re-post my analysis of him.
I was completely underwhelmed by the individual skills of the side against the Baa Baa's.

No Torches, in fact I hope that O'Shea and Fulivai are not subbed off or injured. Both are top notch players.

WRT your last point, @Lee Grant hit the nail on the head with his observation that the match featured 20 of our best players, with not a lot of improvement in individual skills when the bench was emptied. That has to be put into perspective as there is additional pressure to perform individual skills perfectly when the side is 14 vs 15. Nowhere to hide minor imperfections when each player has to play at 107% to cover the loss of a team mate.

We are going to need to have to execute both individual and team skills accurately on Saturday if we are to have any hope of winning. <Sybil Fawltyesque blinding statement of the obvious>.

Sometimes a bad dress rehearsal is a good portent of a polished performance. Hoping.

 

[Quick Hands]

Why fly a kid over to NZ if he isn't going to be in the 23 for the one game that he will be with the wider squad for?

Clearly one wouldn't do so.

I have a question (which may or may not be a silly question).

Do the full selection panel make this decision, or just the chairman of selectors or is it the coach?

 

[Hugh Jarse]

The Selectors are:
ASRU SELECTORS 2014
A. THOMPSON, Chair of Selectors (non-voting), ARU
S PHILLPOTTS, Selector (Coach), Brisbane Boys’ College – QLD
M WALLACE, Assistant Coach & Selector, The Southport School – QLD
G CRONAN, Selector, Ipswich Grammar School – QLD
P LANGTRY, Selector, St Edmunds College – ACT
M SUTHERLAND, Selector, ARU

With the team on Tour are (The Away Team):
A. THOMPSON, Chair of Selectors (non-voting), ARU
S PHILLPOTTS, Selector (Coach), Brisbane Boys’ College – QLD
M WALLACE, Assistant Coach & Selector, The Southport School – QLD

Probably not in NZ are (The Home Team):
G CRONAN, Selector, Ipswich Grammar School – QLD
P LANGTRY, Selector, St Edmunds College – ACT
M SUTHERLAND, Selector, ARU

Bearing in mind that there are a number of young men on standby via the unpublished Shadow Squad that the Selectors have already agreed on, I'd say that there would be a couple of quick phone calls and maybe a phone conference set up to discuss, but overall the process to select a replacement would be fairly short and sweet with the The Away Team selectors on tour deciding and the Home Team essentially ratifying the selection that the Away Team decide upon.

 

[Brian Westlake]

Brian Westlake & IS..agree with your comments about the need for players to do the grunt work.clean out, rucking, mauling, offensive defense and running directly at the opposition. Exactly why Rudolf & other NSW forwards should have been selected.Aust didn't win many collisions or breakdowns last Tues.

McGregor's call up makes sense to cover 10 & 15 but also agree that Yeomans & Logo - Tarogi performed strongly from what I saw in Tuesday's match.

Thanks for the vote of confidence Open Side.... It probably won't last

One thing I do agree with you on is Toby Rudolph. This is a young man that really would have excelled in the company that they are playing. I have been a staunch supporter of his from when he came to tsc (no bagging please). He is exactly the type of player that Schools need at the moment as he will bend his back and do the meat and potatoes work. The ultimate accolade of my time for a forward came from a guy I played with by the name of Ian Handley and that is "There's no shit in that guy" meaning they were hard as they could be, and fair.
Theres no shit in Toby Rudolph. The schools team will miss him on saturday