I usually dont comment on schoolboy stuff because well...................it's schoolboys. I prefer the real stuff. However, I ventured out to watch all games on wednesday and the last 3 games on the main deck on thursday.
At this stage I wont make negative comments on players as they are after all kids. But if I was a selector, from the matches I saw my 23 for Australian Schools would be:
- Pleash (Qld 1)
- Kitchen (Combined States)
- Kavapalu (Vic)
- Vest (Combined States)
- Manukeu (NSW 1)
- Dempsey (NSW 1)
- Randall (Combined States)
- Fakaosilea (Qld 1)
- Ferris (NSW 2)
- McIntyre (NSW 1)
- Ioane (Qld 1)
- Toeta (Vic)
- Foketi (NSW 2)
- Tanuvasa (Qld 2)
- Kellaway (NSW 1)
- Kay (Qld 2)
- Orr (NSW 2)
- Sikimeti (Qld 1)
- Rorke (NSW 1)
- Natoli (NSW 1)
- Heenan (Combined States)
- Stewart (NSW 1)
- Valetini (Vic)
These selections are made from what I saw over the two days. I have nfi on who are the incumbents and obviously, I am not influenced by the politics of schools selection policy. This will of course change, because once the politics of the cattle trading get involved, kids who played well will no doubt miss out.
I liked the Victorian backline in the 2 games I saw them. They were the only side that showed real attacking intent. The Qld and NSW teams still played that predictable Eddie Jones robotic risk free footy......no wonder we have not improved as a nation!
No-one from ACT really floated my boat....unfortunately. The Combined States 8 looked good, but more like a 6 and apparently the name in the book was different to the kid who ran on. I think there will be a push for the NSW 2's 15, but for mine, he is too erratic. The NSW 1, 15 would look better suited to 10 imo, and the Vic 10 would be good at 12 outside him. The NSW 2 number 9 just pipped the NSW 1 number 9 with better service. If he was behind a pack that new wtf they were doing he would be more effective.The NSW 10 didnt really offer much in the games I saw. But he goes to the right school so he will be there or thereabouts providing his sports master looks after him in the selection room!
Thats my two bob anyway.
Best of luck to all boys!