Sideline Eye
Darby Loudon (17)
Why would they do that ?
Australian Schoolboys 2014
- Thread starter TheKing
- Start date
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Why would they do that ?
Inside Shoulder
Nathan Sharpe (72)
If you'd turned up to Back to Weigall Day I would have told you
rugbyfanatic91
Stan Wickham (3)
Charlie Smith isn't in the final squad. Was this just a rumour? would like to hear whats going on..
Inside Shoulder
Nathan Sharpe (72)
Who suggested that? Who are you agreeing with?
Shortage of halfbacks?????? At test level?
Strang is only in year 11 and even if you think he could depose him (which I think is ludicrous on technical grounds alone) he would never get past Goddard to the higher honours you speak of.
formerflanker
Ken Catchpole (46)
Are there any of the 2014 Australian Schoolboys who may be contracted to go to league in 2015?
Taipan168
Dave Cowper (27)
I can confirm that Alex Mafi is out for the rest of Qld GPS season.
Hugh Jarse
Rocky Elsom (76)
The 2014 Hookers curse. Moore, TPN, Charles, Mafi, Tai. Who else? When does it stop?
Lee Grant
John Eales (66)
Harley Fox made the team ahead of James Lough? Probably not on the form of the two players in the National Champs - at least in my opinion.
He's a bit of a seagull but has Higginbotham moments which can be good and bad. If others can keep up their work rate to cover for him he could be OK though Crichton will be the starter.
Centre Perese was outstanding in the U/16 nationals last year and it will be good to see 114kgs and 201 cms second-rower Rodda in the team if if can play big as well as be big.
Hooker Alex Mafi is out and it's odds-on that THP Vunipola Fifita is out also because he hasn't played for yonks. Their omissions will be hammer blows to the Aus Schools team as they were already starters in the Aus 1st XV last year and played big.
Mafi is slightly easier replaced but like Fifita, he is a bruiser and the Oz team is short on bruisers.
Meantime Foxsports have confirmed they will be broadcasting two games from NZ.
The schools test match will be one and the other will probably be the game against NZ A Schools (or NZ Barbarians Schools as they call it).
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He's a bit of a seagull but has Higginbotham moments which can be good and bad. If others can keep up their work rate to cover for him he could be OK though Crichton will be the starter.
Centre Perese was outstanding in the U/16 nationals last year and it will be good to see 114kgs and 201 cms second-rower Rodda in the team if if can play big as well as be big.
Hooker Alex Mafi is out and it's odds-on that THP Vunipola Fifita is out also because he hasn't played for yonks. Their omissions will be hammer blows to the Aus Schools team as they were already starters in the Aus 1st XV last year and played big.
Mafi is slightly easier replaced but like Fifita, he is a bruiser and the Oz team is short on bruisers.
Meantime Foxsports have confirmed they will be broadcasting two games from NZ.
The schools test match will be one and the other will probably be the game against NZ A Schools (or NZ Barbarians Schools as they call it).
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Monty Python
Ted Fahey (11)
If looking for big guns, is Hosea Fotukava still available? He could play Prop or Hooker, and Jack Bowdich is a big boppa prop. Then who's next cab off the rank... we don't know who's in the shadow squad.... is it Pritchard from NSW2, or Widders-Lee from NSW1 reserve bench (but neither Pritchard or WL have a lot of bulk), or what about the QLD2 hooker or QLD1 reserve hooker?
Lee Grant
John Eales (66)
Going by the positions they played in the Oz Championships, the late selection of Harley Fox becomes stranger when you consider that there are two other no. 8s in the team.
As is usual with Aussie Schools teams there is an imbalance of players in the squad. Schoolboys are more versatile than hardened senior players but the 2014 team looks a bit odder than most.
Aus Schools 2014 by position - before discussing the fitness of Mafi and Fifita.
Front row
LHP Phil Bradford — Hunter Sports High School NSW 1
LHP Gavin Luka — St Joseph’s Nudgee College QLD 1
LHP Richie Asiata — Anglican Church Grammar School QLD 2
THP Vunipola Fifita — Newington College NSW 1
THP Shambeckler Vui — Ipswich Grammar School QLD 1
Hookers
Ed Craig — Epping Boys’ High School NSW 1
Alex Mafi — St Joseph’s Nudgee College QLD 1
Second row
Andrew Vatuvei — Sarah Redfern High School NSW 1
Izack Rodda — Ipswich Grammar School QLD
Hugh Summerhayes — Cranbrook School NSW 1
Backrow
6. Maumau Monu — Canberra College ACT
7. Connor Moroney — SJC Gregory Terrace QLD 1
8. Harley Fox — Anglican Church Grammar School QLD 1
8. Tom Blake — Marcellin College VIC
8. Angus Crichton — The Scots College NSW 1
Halves
9. Harrison Goddard — Oakhill College NSW 1
9. Nicholas Duffy — St Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill NSW 2
10. Connor O’Shea — Saint Joseph’s College NSW 1
10. Jordan Jackson-Hope — St Edmund’s College ACT
Centres
Sione Tuipulotu — St. Kevin’s College VIC
Izaia Perese — Anglican Church Grammar School QLD
Ah-mu Tuimaleali’ifano — Roxburgh College VIC
Henry Hutchison — St Ignatius’ College NSW 1
Back three
Winger - Sepesa Loga-Tarogi — Newington College NSW 1
Winger - Joey Fittock — The Southport School QLD 1
Fullback - Jordan Fulivai — St Francis Xavier College ACT
You'd think that another second rower would have been picked instead of three no. 8s. Crichton can play at 6 but you'd like him picking up the ball from the base of the scrum more than the other two because he runs like a centre.
He started playing in the midfield for Scots this year because of injury to others but you would never guess he wasn't a specialist there because he's so good at it.
In the backs four centres looks excessive for three games: you'd expect another winger or fullback like Guy Porter would have been a better bet. And, as mentioned Crichton can play 12 or 13 if there are two midfield injuries: he is one of the best NSW GPS players in 2014 though moved out of the forwards.
Alternatively Jack McGregor, the Riverview flyhalf, could have been the backup fullback (where he played for NSW II Schools) and also been a backup flyhalf, instead of the fourth centre. I thought he excelled at flyhalf when he got a shot to play there by NSW II and also played well at fullback— and, anyway, has been one of the form flyhalves in the GPS since then.
No doubt folks who know players from outside NSW better would have similar suggestions.
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As is usual with Aussie Schools teams there is an imbalance of players in the squad. Schoolboys are more versatile than hardened senior players but the 2014 team looks a bit odder than most.
Aus Schools 2014 by position - before discussing the fitness of Mafi and Fifita.
Front row
LHP Phil Bradford — Hunter Sports High School NSW 1
LHP Gavin Luka — St Joseph’s Nudgee College QLD 1
LHP Richie Asiata — Anglican Church Grammar School QLD 2
THP Vunipola Fifita — Newington College NSW 1
THP Shambeckler Vui — Ipswich Grammar School QLD 1
Hookers
Ed Craig — Epping Boys’ High School NSW 1
Alex Mafi — St Joseph’s Nudgee College QLD 1
Second row
Andrew Vatuvei — Sarah Redfern High School NSW 1
Izack Rodda — Ipswich Grammar School QLD
Hugh Summerhayes — Cranbrook School NSW 1
Backrow
6. Maumau Monu — Canberra College ACT
7. Connor Moroney — SJC Gregory Terrace QLD 1
8. Harley Fox — Anglican Church Grammar School QLD 1
8. Tom Blake — Marcellin College VIC
8. Angus Crichton — The Scots College NSW 1
Halves
9. Harrison Goddard — Oakhill College NSW 1
9. Nicholas Duffy — St Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill NSW 2
10. Connor O’Shea — Saint Joseph’s College NSW 1
10. Jordan Jackson-Hope — St Edmund’s College ACT
Centres
Sione Tuipulotu — St. Kevin’s College VIC
Izaia Perese — Anglican Church Grammar School QLD
Ah-mu Tuimaleali’ifano — Roxburgh College VIC
Henry Hutchison — St Ignatius’ College NSW 1
Back three
Winger - Sepesa Loga-Tarogi — Newington College NSW 1
Winger - Joey Fittock — The Southport School QLD 1
Fullback - Jordan Fulivai — St Francis Xavier College ACT
You'd think that another second rower would have been picked instead of three no. 8s. Crichton can play at 6 but you'd like him picking up the ball from the base of the scrum more than the other two because he runs like a centre.
He started playing in the midfield for Scots this year because of injury to others but you would never guess he wasn't a specialist there because he's so good at it.
In the backs four centres looks excessive for three games: you'd expect another winger or fullback like Guy Porter would have been a better bet. And, as mentioned Crichton can play 12 or 13 if there are two midfield injuries: he is one of the best NSW GPS players in 2014 though moved out of the forwards.
Alternatively Jack McGregor, the Riverview flyhalf, could have been the backup fullback (where he played for NSW II Schools) and also been a backup flyhalf, instead of the fourth centre. I thought he excelled at flyhalf when he got a shot to play there by NSW II and also played well at fullback— and, anyway, has been one of the form flyhalves in the GPS since then.
No doubt folks who know players from outside NSW better would have similar suggestions.
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TheKing
Colin Windon (37)
LG I've been watching Nudgee pretty closely this season, and Reece Hewat is playing the house down at 8, but he's versatile enough to play anywhere 4 through 8. I'm really disappointed that his form isn't being rewarded with selection. He's the standout player in the QLD competition this year.
I met with John Eales a few weeks ago and even he thinks Hewat is the real deal. Is there any chance he'll be called up, even without an injury?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I met with John Eales a few weeks ago and even he thinks Hewat is the real deal. Is there any chance he'll be called up, even without an injury?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Lee Grant
John Eales (66)
Summerhayes played at lock or 6 for Cranbrook, never at 8 if Makas was available. He may have played there for NSW from their reserves but he is not a no 8.
But let's suppose that both Mafi and Fifita can't play in NZ as seems likely.
Fifita is a THP; so who are the alternatives to replace him?
From a NSW perspective I would go for Jack Bodwitch of Riverview who played for Combined states and was later called in to switch to NSW because of an injury during the tournament.
The NSW IIs THP was Jakob Sedgman of Scots but he is really a converted hooker.
As to who would become the reserve hooker to Ed Craig - I would go for Evan Pritchard of Riverview (though he was injured last Saturday) - or failing that, Sedgman.
Someone mentioned Fotukava of Riverview and added that he can play LHP; but I wouldn't play him at THP in NZ and that is what we are talking about.
So:
Out - Fifita — In - Bodwitch
Out - Mafi — In - Pritchard
Any thoughts from outside of NSW ?
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But let's suppose that both Mafi and Fifita can't play in NZ as seems likely.
Fifita is a THP; so who are the alternatives to replace him?
From a NSW perspective I would go for Jack Bodwitch of Riverview who played for Combined states and was later called in to switch to NSW because of an injury during the tournament.
The NSW IIs THP was Jakob Sedgman of Scots but he is really a converted hooker.
As to who would become the reserve hooker to Ed Craig - I would go for Evan Pritchard of Riverview (though he was injured last Saturday) - or failing that, Sedgman.
Someone mentioned Fotukava of Riverview and added that he can play LHP; but I wouldn't play him at THP in NZ and that is what we are talking about.
So:
Out - Fifita — In - Bodwitch
Out - Mafi — In - Pritchard
Any thoughts from outside of NSW ?
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Inside Shoulder
Nathan Sharpe (72)
I thought Bowditch had caught some time in 2nds since the holidays
10to12
Jimmy Flynn (14)
Not sure that Bowditch hasn't taken an early sabbatical from footy to concentrate on exams?? I would probably jump to Hosea but can see your reasons for not including him.
James Wilkinson (CS) would also jump into my consideration for the number 2 spot. Big boy and had a great carnival. Like you this doesn't include other states that have not come to my attention
Hugh Jarse
Rocky Elsom (76)
Big Jack Bowditch certainly has the size but I query his fitness. I also don't understand why they continue to select him as a prop. IMHO he has the build of a 2nd rower. When he has been packing scrums at trials and National Champs he seemed to be unable to get his bum low enough to be really effective when he was packing in the scrums. On the credit side, he has a good knack of popping up at the right place to get plenty of meat pies.
He would certainly have to lift his work rate around the paddock to make it in Hugh's Team.
Hooker is certainly becoming the Bradbury position in Australian Rugby isn't it and Schoolboys is no exception. Craig should be able to manage the step up, but Mafi will certainly be missed. I would have liked to see Craig off the bench, full of beans with 20 minutes to go after Mafi had absorbed all the real heavy grunt work the Darkness threw at us. I reckon Sedgeman as a smokie to come off the bench. Hopefully he hasn't been neglecting his lineout throwing during his time at Scots.
Second Row and Back Three worry me as I'm not sure we have sufficient depth there.
I do note that Aust Schoolboys are not immune to throwing a Centre on the Wing, to come in to 12/13 later in the game. I feel that we are shy of blistering pace (apart from Fittock and Hutch) and educated boots in the back three that we have been accustomed to over the last 3 or 4 years (Kellaway/Jones et al).
If The Darkness have a traditional Big Bopper pack then we may be in as much trouble as the Wobs were at Eden Park the other day. We need some hard arse grafters in the single digits. I think we have too many ball playing athletes. If the fat boys don't win the pill at the breakdown and set piece, it won't matter how fast and silky Joey The Whippet Fittock is, or how Hutch can usually beat the first man, or what Connor Moroney's beep test score is, we will be blacked out.
Great news that the games will be shown on Foxtel.
Note to Brisbane GPS and AAGPS. Please don't hurt any more of the selected boys in the next two rounds. We need them in September.
He would certainly have to lift his work rate around the paddock to make it in Hugh's Team.
Hooker is certainly becoming the Bradbury position in Australian Rugby isn't it and Schoolboys is no exception. Craig should be able to manage the step up, but Mafi will certainly be missed. I would have liked to see Craig off the bench, full of beans with 20 minutes to go after Mafi had absorbed all the real heavy grunt work the Darkness threw at us. I reckon Sedgeman as a smokie to come off the bench. Hopefully he hasn't been neglecting his lineout throwing during his time at Scots.
Second Row and Back Three worry me as I'm not sure we have sufficient depth there.
I do note that Aust Schoolboys are not immune to throwing a Centre on the Wing, to come in to 12/13 later in the game. I feel that we are shy of blistering pace (apart from Fittock and Hutch) and educated boots in the back three that we have been accustomed to over the last 3 or 4 years (Kellaway/Jones et al).
If The Darkness have a traditional Big Bopper pack then we may be in as much trouble as the Wobs were at Eden Park the other day. We need some hard arse grafters in the single digits. I think we have too many ball playing athletes. If the fat boys don't win the pill at the breakdown and set piece, it won't matter how fast and silky Joey The Whippet Fittock is, or how Hutch can usually beat the first man, or what Connor Moroney's beep test score is, we will be blacked out.
Great news that the games will be shown on Foxtel.
Note to Brisbane GPS and AAGPS. Please don't hurt any more of the selected boys in the next two rounds. We need them in September.
Lee Grant
John Eales (66)
Yeah - I've mentioned Wilkinson before. I thought he was a very good as hooker for Combined States and as a flanker for CCC in the NSW trials.
At the Aus Championships I thought he was a chance to get on the Oz Schools tour as third hooker/flanker cover. He played 6 for CCC but the way he played the position made it clear that he could act as cover for the only openside in the squad.
That's another reason why the decision take a third no. 8 is goofy.
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random2
Johnnie Wallace (23)
Bowditch choose to discontinue rugby at Riverview following his time in seconds, however he was named in the shadow squad. Prichard was also named in the shadow squad but his injury against Joeys on Saturday could impact on whether he is available for the tour. Unsure on whether Porter was named in the shadow but he definitely deserves to be named.
Good news for Schoolboys is that Connor O'Shea has been in fine form for Joeys in recent weeks and will be full of confidence heading over to NZ. Agree with Lee comments regarding McGregor, would be a good cover for both the 10 and 15 spot and his recent form suggests he could handle it over with the big boys.
Good news for Schoolboys is that Connor O'Shea has been in fine form for Joeys in recent weeks and will be full of confidence heading over to NZ. Agree with Lee comments regarding McGregor, would be a good cover for both the 10 and 15 spot and his recent form suggests he could handle it over with the big boys.
Lee Grant
John Eales (66)
I saw Bodwitch in the crowd on Saturday and thought he didn't play because he was injured, as he wasn't in the Twos either.
Most of the decent props I have seen this year for their school, rep side or state have been LHPs.
The Victorian and ACT THPs didn't take my eye either.
I think it is likely that one of the three LHPs named by the selectors can play on the LH side and it's why they picked 3-2 rather than 2-3.
Oz Schools selectors frequently ask "state" selectors to try players out in a different position and it's the same when state selectors ask school associations to try the same thing.
This is not necessarily for the whole game but I know it is done especially when a good player in the Oz Champs takes his turn on the reserve bench so that every player in the squad gets a run-on game—and he comes on in a position that is not his normal one.
PS - Sedgman has been playing in the 2nd XV also, I hear.
(Just one game, I hear now.)
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Most of the decent props I have seen this year for their school, rep side or state have been LHPs.
The Victorian and ACT THPs didn't take my eye either.
I think it is likely that one of the three LHPs named by the selectors can play on the LH side and it's why they picked 3-2 rather than 2-3.
Oz Schools selectors frequently ask "state" selectors to try players out in a different position and it's the same when state selectors ask school associations to try the same thing.
This is not necessarily for the whole game but I know it is done especially when a good player in the Oz Champs takes his turn on the reserve bench so that every player in the squad gets a run-on game—and he comes on in a position that is not his normal one.
(Just one game, I hear now.)
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