Australian Schoolboys & National Championships 2008

[AussieDominance]

is that another Blocker Jnr?

No,

Blocker put his kids through Riverview im pretty sure.

 

[formeropenside]

Qld have another Daley jnr (also a prop) at schoolboy trials at present.

 

[Lee Grant]

Hope Keliti plays well have been playing against him since U11's(Randwick) and playing with Roach from New as well in my Gordon side.

Roach is one to look for Lee when I changed to hooker he kept his spot in the run on team!

Keliti has been that tall since he was about 11 and running around on the wing for Randwick unbeilevably! Have you heard of the Goodman's Lee?(Barker 1's) Stuart is the other player who played with Keliti in NSW 16's last season as a 15 year old. Both injured so not picked for CAS atm. Other players who played in that side included Henry Carmichael Joey's nemesis goal kicker from a few weeks ago and Roach of course. You will see a few more appear in the next year don't you worry! Thoughts?

I haven't seen the Goodmans play but I've heard a bit about them - twins aren't they? And I didn't notice Roach really for the GPS Twos on Wednesday to be honest.

I have heard a heap about Keliti Vaingalo but since the U16s were in Nudgee last year, I haven't seen him play. Keliti missed the trial game against CAS on Wednesday but he's going to have to shine against CHS on Sunday because James Cunningham from CHS Is had a blinder today as the no. 8 against CCC and will be looking for him.

CHS won 26-7 but it was only after CCC ran out of fitness.

Unfortunately Ben James didn't have a great game for CHS at 10. He threw some bad passes, one of which was intercepted by a CCC guy who could have scored, and he also missed a couple of key tackles. 7 Karamanis was indifferent also. Although he scored a smart try near the end with some deft running he spent too much time in the backline. He hasn't grown much since I saw him last either.

He didn't compare with the 7 for IAS in the last game of the day - Michael Hooper. He's the best 7 I've seen after 2 days of trials and daylight is second, which is no surprise since he was the 2007 U16 player of the tournament at Nudgee.

IAS Is beat Country 41-17

Kotoni Ale, the IAS 6, also a had a good game and balanced defence and attack and tight and loose work nicely. He was on the NSW Ones bench at the open championships in Canberra last year and made an impact every time he got onto the park. I expect him to be named in the NSW Ones starting team on Sunday night.

Salesi Manu is living up to the hype. He is usually a THP but he fitted in as the LHP for IAS today no problem. He seems too tall to be a LHP but his shinbones are quite short in comparison to the rest of him and he has no trouble keeping his back level on the engage.

One off the ruck in the Country's 22 he was hard to stop and when he was, eventually, some of his offloads were deadly. The Tahs are going to have a good one there in a few years time. By the way don't think Rodney Blake when thinking of Salesi Manu. He's fitter than Rodzilla on his best day.

 

[AussieDominance]

Hope Keliti plays well have been playing against him since U11's(Randwick) and playing with Roach from New as well in my Gordon side.

Roach is one to look for Lee when I changed to hooker he kept his spot in the run on team!

Keliti has been that tall since he was about 11 and running around on the wing for Randwick unbeilevably! Have you heard of the Goodman's Lee?(Barker 1's) Stuart is the other player who played with Keliti in NSW 16's last season as a 15 year old. Both injured so not picked for CAS atm. Other players who played in that side included Henry Carmichael Joey's nemesis goal kicker from a few weeks ago and Roach of course. You will see a few more appear in the next year don't you worry! Thoughts?

I haven't seen the Goodmans play but I've heard a bit about them - twins aren't they? And I didn't notice Roach really for the GPS Twos on Wednesday to be honest.

I have heard a heap about Keliti Vaingalo but since the U16s were in Nudgee last year, I haven't seen him play. Keliti missed the trial game against CAS on Wednesday but he's going to have to shine against CHS on Sunday because James Cunningham from CHS Is had a blinder today as the no. 8 against CCC and will be looking for him.

CHS won 26-7 but it was only after CCC ran out of fitness.

Unfortunately Ben James didn't have a great game for CHS at 10. He threw some bad passes, one of which was intercepted by a CCC guy who could have scored, and he also missed a couple of key tackles. 7 Karamanis was indifferent also. Although he scored a smart try near the end with some deft running he spent too much time in the backline. He hasn't grown much since I saw him last either.

He didn't compare with the 7 for IAS in the last game of the day - Michael Hooper. He's the best 7 I've seen after 2 days of trials and daylight is second, which is no surprise since he was the 2007 U16 player of the tournament at Nudgee.

IAS Is beat Country 41-17

Kotoni Ale, the IAS 6, also a had a good game and balanced defence and attack and tight and loose work nicely. He was on the NSW Ones bench at the open championships in Canberra last year and made an impact every time he got onto the park. I expect him to be named in the NSW Ones starting team on Sunday night.

Salesi Manu is living up to the hype. He is usually a THP but he fitted in as the LHP for IAS today no problem. He seems too tall to be a LHP but his shinbones are quite short in comparison to the rest of him and he has no trouble keeping his back level on the engage.

One off the ruck in the Country's 22 he was hard to stop and when he was, eventually, some of his offloads were deadly. The Tahs are going to have a good one there in a few years time. By the way don't think Rodney Blake when thinking of Salesi Manu. He's fitter than Rodzilla on his best day.

Interesting thoughts - Hooper can definetly play him and Goodman aren't that tall but Goodman has very broad shoulders I haven't seen Hooper since I saw him out a few months ago watching me play Cricket at Manly Oval haha. Has he got bigger or not in the shoulders? The kid is dynamic on the ball though tell me what.

Take a jab at the NSW sides Lee?

 

[Lee Grant]

I will take a jab tomorrow night after the CAS v ISA and CHS v GPS games at Knox, as I have seen some of these lads only once ever, especially those not in GPS.

Then I'll compare it to the list in the SMH on Monday morning.

 

[Lee Grant]

After seeing the last day of trials at Knox today here is my team for NSW Ones:

1. Salesi Manu [St. Augustines Brookvale ? ISA]
2. Richard Casalli [Kings ? GPS] **
3. Dylan Brass [Kings - GPS]
4 Keliti Vaingalo [Newington - GPS]
5. Ben Matwijow [Westfields SHS - CHS]
6. Kotone Ale [St. Augustines Brookvale ? ISA]
7. Michael Hooper [St. Pius X College - ISA]
8. James Cunningham [St. Ives HS - CHS]
9. Jack Rowntree [St. Pauls Manly - ISA]
10. Harry Bennett [Kings - GPS]
11. Pao Pele [trinity - CAS]
12. Tim Bennetts [Pennants Hills HS - CHS] *
13. Cameron Mitchell [Kings - GPS] *
14. Greg Jeloudev [Kings - GPS]
15. Alec White [Kings - GPS]

* Waratahs Academy 2008 / ** 2009

Notes:
2. Casalli still throwing a few crook ones to lineout today. Wasn?t as noticeable as before but still the standout hooker.

4. Keliti is an 8 but I?ll play him here. A good tall lineout guy and it means that I can use Cunningham at 8.

10. Did enough today when GPS thrashed CHS 52-8 to get my nod. Fast, big boot and good goal-kicker.

12. Didn?t play today and may not be fit enough therefore to play in the Oz Schools Championship. Michael MacDougall (Kings) to come into NSW Ones XV if that is the case.

13. Didn't play the whole game. Was put in cotton wool. Big lad; sheer class. Future pro hopefully for the Tahs.

14. Had a blinder today ? 4 tries. Ran rings around Dominic Bower. The Waratahs should sign this kid up for their Academy. Fast as lightning and has the moves. Watch this space on "Jelly".

 

[AussieDominance]

Nice looking side Lee. First time in many years that their is a possibility of a Joeys boy not making it although I assume the openside and half will?

What happened in the GPS v CHS game Mitchell carve up?

 

[RugbyReg]

Selectors at the Xstrata Queensland Schoolboy trials at Ballymore have named two teams to compete as Queensland 1 and 2 in the Australian Rugby Football Schools National Championships in Canberra July 8-13, where Queensland are the defending champions.

The teams are (from fullback):

Queensland Schools 1:
Simon Morahan (TSS), Dominic Shipperly (NC), Joel Faulkner (BSHS), Stefano Hunt (NC), Nicky Price (NC), James Ambrosini (SLC), Eddie Bredenhan (ACGS), Jarrad Butler (TSS), Jordan Tuapou (BSHS), Edward Quirk (BSHS), Robert Speed (TGS), Nic Buchanan (GT), Josh Daley (TSS), Matt Ika (BSHS), David Feao (BSHS). Reserves: Matt Wenck (IGS), Dalton Dumminy (Helensvale SHS), Apetai Matalau (ATC Nth Qld), Steve Finnigan (Helensvale SHS), Ben Evans (TSS), Ben O?Connor (SLC), Dane Gagai (BBC), Luke Leeming (Redeemer)

Queensland Schools 2:
Elih Baillie (NC), Chris Nadalo (Marsden SHS), Fred Tuua (Wavell SHS), Solamoni Rasolea (ACGS), Kenneth Robertson (IGS), Teti Teli (IGS), Sam Grasso (NC), Tim Southwood (Mar Ash), Aiden Aberg (Merrimac SHS), Ben Radmall (Mountain Creek SHS), Ted Postal (NC), Dan McGee (Good Shepherd Lutheran), Paul Alo-Emile (BSHS), Mitch Wenck (SLC), Lyall Fidow (Groves Christian Coll). Reserves: Jack O?Shea (Ignatius Park College), Matthew Mafi (NC), Robert Middlin (BBC), Neemiah Tupuse (IGS), Aussie Smith (Mountain Creek SHS), Nick Frisby (Mar Ash) Ben Marshall (Elanora SHS), Chris Mansell (Iona).

Shadow players:

Alex Casey (CSS), Ben Webb (CSS), Sailopa Falemaka (AIC 1), Luke Johnson (AIC 1), Doug Asiata (GPS) Jake Nash (CSS 2), Dan Earley (AIC 1), Conrad Brown (GPS).

 

[RugbyReg]

Selectors at the Xstrata Queensland Schoolboy trials at Ballymore have named two teams to compete as Queensland 1 and 2 in the Australian Rugby Football Schools National Championships in Canberra July 8-13, where Queensland are the defending champions.

The teams are (from fullback):

Queensland Schools 1:
Simon Morahan (TSS), Dominic Shipperly (NC), Joel Faulkner (BSHS), Stefano Hunt (NC), Nicky Price (NC), James Ambrosini (SLC), Eddie Bredenhan (ACGS), Jarrad Butler (TSS), Jordan Tuapou (BSHS), Edward Quirk (BSHS), Robert Speed (TGS), Nic Buchanan (GT), Josh Daley (TSS), Matt Ika (BSHS), David Feao (BSHS). Reserves: Matt Wenck (IGS), Dalton Dumminy (Helensvale SHS), Apetai Matalau (ATC Nth Qld), Steve Finnigan (Helensvale SHS), Ben Evans (TSS), Ben O?Connor (SLC), Dane Gagai (BBC), Luke Leeming (Redeemer)

Queensland Schools 2:
Elih Baillie (NC), Chris Nadalo (Marsden SHS), Fred Tuua (Wavell SHS), Solamoni Rasolea (ACGS), Kenneth Robertson (IGS), Teti Teli (IGS), Sam Grasso (NC), Tim Southwood (Mar Ash), Aiden Aberg (Merrimac SHS), Ben Radmall (Mountain Creek SHS), Ted Postal (NC), Dan McGee (Good Shepherd Lutheran), Paul Alo-Emile (BSHS), Mitch Wenck (SLC), Lyall Fidow (Groves Christian Coll). Reserves: Jack O?Shea (Ignatius Park College), Matthew Mafi (NC), Robert Middlin (BBC), Neemiah Tupuse (IGS), Aussie Smith (Mountain Creek SHS), Nick Frisby (Mar Ash) Ben Marshall (Elanora SHS), Chris Mansell (Iona).

Shadow players:

Alex Casey (CSS), Ben Webb (CSS), Sailopa Falemaka (AIC 1), Luke Johnson (AIC 1), Doug Asiata (GPS) Jake Nash (CSS 2), Dan Earley (AIC 1), Conrad Brown (GPS).

seems a decent number from the non-traditional schools. I wonder if its more than last year? Glad there are a few Sunny Coast boys there as they have worked hard on their schools comp up there.

 

[Lee Grant]

Here are the 23 players selected for the NSW Ones with my dud picks crossed out. NSW Schools selects their best XV; then their 2nd XV; then 8 reserves for the 2nds; then 8 reserves for the 1sts - in that order. In other words: the reserves for the 1sts are the lowest ranked 8 players of the 46. All the boys get to start in at least one game and often the reserves start in the one non-competition game of the tournament.

We will know when we read the programmes in Canberra who are in the run on XV, and it is annoying that they don't provide that info now. Where more than one player has been listed for a position I have listed who I think the starting player will be first.


1. Salesi Manu [St. Augustines Brookvale ? ISA] / Daniel Murray [Westfields SHS - IAS]

2. Richard Casalli [Kings ? GPS] ** Clay Brodie [Waverley College - CAS] / Sam Roberson [St Stanislaus College - IAS]

3. Dylan Brass [Kings - GPS] Vaughan Lomax [St Andrews Cathedral - IAS] / Joel Crowther [Alstonville HS - CHS]

4 Keliti Vaingalo [Newington - GPS] William Drabble [Shore - GPS] / Luke Jones [St. Pius X College - ISA]

5. Ben Matwijow [Westfields SHS - CHS] Geordie McSullea [Sydney Technical HS - CHS]

6. Kotone Ale [St. Augustines Brookvale ? ISA] / Mark Johnson [Knox - CAS]

7. Michael Hooper [St. Pius X College - ISA]

8. James Cunningham [St. Ives HS - CHS]

9. Jack Rowntree [St. Pauls Manly - ISA] / Alex Pinson [Blaxland High School - CHS]

10. Harry Bennett [Kings - GPS] Jayden Dallalana [Holy Spirit Bellambi - CCC] / Ben James [Pennant Hills HS CHS]

11. Pao Pele [ Trinity - CAS ]

12. Michael MacDougall [Kings - GPS]

13. Cameron Mitchell [Kings - GPS] / Michael Oldfield [Scots - GPS]

14. Greg Jeloudev [Kings - GPS]

15. Alec White [Kings - GPS]

Notes:

2. Casalli's bad throwing must have eliminated him.

Backrow - Excellent but Hooper is the only specialist 7. Cunningham and Johnson can interchange.

Vaingalo - a bit surprised he missed out but he was back from injury and a bit short of a gallop.

Tim Bennetts is obviously not fit for the nation championships next week, which is a damn shame. But MacDougall, my pick if Bennetts wasn't available, is a very good player.

12 - 15, with Pele from Trinity at 11 the Kings backs should cause havoc if they get good pill. After watching the GPS v CHS match yesterday I thought that they would be even better with Kings team mate Harry Bennett at flyhalf. I didn't rate Dallalana nor James in the two games I saw them play, but that was probably more my fault than theirs.



The 2nd XXII by school:

Howard (All Saints Maitland)
Metcher (Coffs Harbour)
Anderson (Cranbrook)
Speechley (Grafton)
Edwards (Hunter Valley)
Ford (Kiama)
Rissman, Pinchen (Knox)
Heslop (Scots)
Gilmore (Shore)
Wunder (Aloysius)
McGrath, Wilson, Meakes (Joeys)
Hahn (St Pats)
Fryer (Grammar)
Brass, Ellice-Flint, Bennett (Kings)
Sills (Scots)
Helliwell, English (Waverley)
Karamanis (Westfields)

 

[Aussie D]

Is it just me or does there seem to be a distinct lack of Polynesian sounding names in that list. Have they finally got the NSWRU message and taken up league en-masse?

 

[the gambler]

Wow. 12-15 all from one school. Has one school ever dominated a NSW 1's backline like that since Matraville days? Not even Joeys would have had more than that in one backline I would suggest.

Interesting about lack of Polynesian kids. You could aslo note that there are very few CHS kids but there does seem to be quite a few IAS/ISA lads in there.

The Kings hooker hasnt even made NSW2's according to that list. If he is on the Tahs books that seems very strange. Injured perhaps?

 

[Lee Grant]

gambler

I can't remember a bigger representation in the back line from one school in recent years but somebody could come up with something I've forgotten.

They all deserve to be in the starting XV, and if the GPS v CHS game had been weighted correctly the Kings flyhalf, Harry Bennett would have got in as well. He wasn't that great on Wednesday against CAS but on Sunday v CHS he delivered the only dominant display by a no. 10 in the whole week IMO.

I strongly suspect that the team was chosen before the Sunday games. It may be a bit of false paranoia, but I was passing this bloke on the way back from the Knox toilets at about 10.30 am on Sunday and he was talking on the phone saying something like: "I can't tell you much because we've got to call the parents first ... " I listened in and he added something like: "Jelly is in .... mumble, mumble .... and Luke is 16th man .." ['Jelly' is Kings winger Greg Jeloudev and 'Luke' could have been the Knox 8. Luke Rissman who made the Twos and as '16th man' wouldn't have made the Ones.]

This was all before the major games of the day; thus Bennett may have been disadvantaged. Or - the bloke could have been talking about the team they had picked subject to Sunday changes.

If that is so; it's inexplicable that the Kings flyhalf was overlooked.


AD

There seemed to be plenty of ethnic Islander and Maori lads this week but maybe not so many in the top two teams this year.

Going back to your earlier query: yeah, GPS and the Bennett / MacDougall / Mitchell / White/ Jelly combination down the right hand side of the park was deadly. They could have taught the Wallaby backs a thing or two about running straight and using the ball instead of legs.

'Jelly' was almost unstoppable. This Paul Carozza type winger, has a big future methinks but that thought will have to be confirmed in Canberra against better teams than the CHS.

There may be a clue as to why Newington's no. 8 Keliti Vaingalo was omitted from either NSW squad. He was chosen for the Oz U/16 tournament !!! Geez, he's a big lad for 16, assuming he's had his birthday. Not bad to get into GPS Ones pack at that age. He was the best GPS lineout guy on Sunday and he can run with the ball. Watch this space next year.



Noddy

Apart from Stephano Hunt who are the gun players from Qld this year?

 

[AussieDominance]

Doubt your reason with Keliti is correct considering Roachy is on standby.

Lee by chance do you happen to remember some names in the mighty Scots team of 1992 when they imported 5 players from Australian U16's apparently and 4 turned down scholarships to go along with that?

If you do any chance of reminiscing?? Cheers.

 

[Aussie D]

AD

There seemed to be plenty of ethnic Islander and Maori lads this week but maybe not so many in the top two teams this year.

Going back to your earlier query: yeah, GPS and the Bennett / MacDougall / Mitchell / White/ Jelly combination down the right hand side of the park was deadly. They could have taught the Wallaby backs a thing or two about running straight and using the ball instead of legs.

'Jelly' was almost unstoppable. This Paul Carozza type winger, has a big future methinks but that thought will have to be confirmed in Canberra against better teams than the CHS.

Lee, when did I make this query as I can't remember? (I'll get kicked out of the frontrowers union if it is found out I am making enquiries about backs) Unless I am getting senile or have altzeimers before my time.....

 

[Lindommer]

Lee by chance do you happen to remember some names in the mighty Scots team of 1992 when they imported 5 players from Australian U16's apparently and 4 turned down scholarships to go along with that?

IIRC it was 1994 or 95, Tom Bowman was in that team. Caused a massive shitfight at Scots as boys who'd been in the As all the way up were bumped for the imports when they got to the Opens. Especially sons of Old Boys, makes fund-raising difficult.

Importing players? Gee, they taught King's a thing or two.

 

[the gambler]

Yeah was for Scots Centenry year in 1993. Was the first real case of importing kids by non catholic schools. Joeys and Iggys had been importing players even back in the 1970's, but as we know most King's boys are slow learners so its not surprising they took 30 years to catch on.

I remember my family knew a prop that was at Malabar High who went to play for Scots. Luke Mann I think his name was. Really nice kid who suffered a shocking knee injury that cut his career short.

Whats the story with all these current King's kids. They been at the school since 1st form or are they ring ins? Are any accumalating?

 

[AussieDominance]

Ring ins ahahah..

Bennett came last year I think, Brass did as well. Casali started off but came back this year(was at View).

Not aware of many other's as I have only been at Kings this year.

 

[the gambler]

So are they on Music scholarships to play the triangle?

edit: spelling just for Lindommer

 

[AussieDominance]

So are they on Music scholorships to play the triangle?

Pretty much. Haha I think their are others who are on scholarships but were not imported as such came in Year 7 etc.