RugbyNut101
Peter Burge (5)
Reece Hodge (Manly Colts Flyhalf) called up to replace Lalakai Foketti.
Australian Schoolboys & National Championships 2012
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Lee Grant
John Eales (66)
I was hoping that H. Jones would be called in. 13. Robinson was playing on the wing at St. Marys and could cover 13 as can Stewart. Hodges' playing in Colts will stand him in good stead though.
If another back is not available I hope they add 10. Horwitz because 3. McIntyre doesn't have a flyhalf reserve who is a specialist at the rep level
If another back is not available I hope they add 10. Horwitz because 3. McIntyre doesn't have a flyhalf reserve who is a specialist at the rep level
Inside Shoulder
Nathan Sharpe (72)
I think recent controversies have not helped him in this regard.
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David Codey (61)
It seems to me that for whatever reason, Horwitz is out of favour with the selectors. If he was going to be picked it would have been in front of Hodge.
Lee Grant
John Eales (66)
It's strange isn't it? It would be different if he was in crap form, or even average form (in the true sense of the word), but reports in the forum indicate that his performances have been stellar, and that it's not a preference to stay behind and study for the HSC either.
One never knows though: there are matters that do not come into the public domain, and even if they do, only one aspect of a many-sided situation becomes known to the populace. Such is the case with Jones.
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One never knows though: there are matters that do not come into the public domain, and even if they do, only one aspect of a many-sided situation becomes known to the populace. Such is the case with Jones.
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Iluvmyfooty
Phil Hardcastle (33)
may I just add that Reece Hodge has been in great form for Manly 1st colts this year - organises his backs well, reads the game exceptionally well, good defence, is a gola kicker with a high success rate and has a long kick off the foot. There were comments earlier about why the selectors did not pick a backup to mcIntyre - well now they have one.
One other point of interest - he has been included in the National Academy list when he leaves school
One other point of interest - he has been included in the National Academy list when he leaves school
I like to watch
David Codey (61)
Reece is a very solid player, and will let no one down.
Am I mistaken or will his debut with the National squad be his first Schoolboy game this year?
Am I mistaken or will his debut with the National squad be his first Schoolboy game this year?
Lee Grant
John Eales (66)
First time he has been in. He was named to play for CHS v ISA but he was injured and I was told he was out for 6-8 weeks; so he missed selection for either NSW team for the Oz Championships.
But when I saw him v. CAS at Cranbrook 2 weeks before that, he was playing 12; so I didn't twig that he was a flyhalf.
Essentially then, he is not a replacement for 13. Foketi, though he may be named as such. He is really a substitute for Horwitz, who played both 12 and 10 from the bench at St. Marys. Another 13 was not needed since it is the usual position of Robinson, who started on the wing at St. Marys. And Stewart as been playing there for Scots.
One can almost reconstruct the conversation a selectors' meeting: "We stuffed up in not replacing Horwitz but Foketi is hurt; so we'll bring Hodge in to cover our sins. Nobody will notice."
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But when I saw him v. CAS at Cranbrook 2 weeks before that, he was playing 12; so I didn't twig that he was a flyhalf.
Essentially then, he is not a replacement for 13. Foketi, though he may be named as such. He is really a substitute for Horwitz, who played both 12 and 10 from the bench at St. Marys. Another 13 was not needed since it is the usual position of Robinson, who started on the wing at St. Marys. And Stewart as been playing there for Scots.
One can almost reconstruct the conversation a selectors' meeting: "We stuffed up in not replacing Horwitz but Foketi is hurt; so we'll bring Hodge in to cover our sins. Nobody will notice."
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Hugh Jarse
Rocky Elsom (76)
It seems that the Uzebekistan Surf Pro competion has been cancelled then, and Hodge is now good to go.
NSWCHS 2011 thread reveals this gem:
Like the Darkness, even one of Gaggerlands finest netizens, Uncle Lee, drops the ball sometimes.
Sorry Lee, couldn't resist. Was trying to identify where Hodge came from, and that little gem popped up.
Seems Hodge performed very well for Sydney Juniors in the 2010 U16 competition, which they won. Good pedigree.
NSWCHS 2011 thread reveals this gem:
Like the Darkness, even one of Gaggerlands finest netizens, Uncle Lee, drops the ball sometimes.
Sorry Lee, couldn't resist. Was trying to identify where Hodge came from, and that little gem popped up.
Seems Hodge performed very well for Sydney Juniors in the 2010 U16 competition, which they won. Good pedigree.
Lee Grant
John Eales (66)
I had high hopes for the Oz Schools side for the NZ test although they lacked power ball runners except for Rorke. If Rorke cannot tour it will be a disaster though the promotion of 1/3. Robertson will mitigate the situation somewhat, because he can run over folks. Both would be better; fingers crossed.
The loss of Foketi, the best back against Tongan Schools, cannot be fully alleviated by playing Robinson or even Stewart there because they are different players and lack his deception and quick feet.
At the schools level Whitely is better than he ever will be as a senior player; he will be missed if he has to be replaced.
As for Jones: let's not say too much more about the lad except that it is likely that we will see next year what we will miss out in this.
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The loss of Foketi, the best back against Tongan Schools, cannot be fully alleviated by playing Robinson or even Stewart there because they are different players and lack his deception and quick feet.
At the schools level Whitely is better than he ever will be as a senior player; he will be missed if he has to be replaced.
As for Jones: let's not say too much more about the lad except that it is likely that we will see next year what we will miss out in this.
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Lee Grant
John Eales (66)
Good one HJ - I had forgotten that. I had a sneaky look at my 2011 U/16 programme before I posted, mind. His name wasn't in it but I should have looked at 2010.
It's interesting to see the names of others from the Manly Roos in that 2010 U/16 Sydney Juniors team: 11. Foketi and 1. O'Connor (who I rate now). Also in the team were 4. Phillip (now Oz Schools) and 8. Patrick Sio, (now 7. for Northern Suburbs 1st Grade !!)
How the world turns.
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Newbie
Bill McLean (32)
Smoke and mirrors my good friend! The 'Eastern Australian Islanders' are still smiting from there self termed 'uncharacteristic' loss last year to the Aus Schoolboys!
Suffice to say they have planned a softening up (come ambush) match against the Samoan schoolboys four days before the main game! Shows they are not leaving anything to chance IMHO.
On the flip side it ultimately reflects the respect the Aus schoolboys command over there if they are going to those lengths!
scaraby
Ron Walden (29)
Good luck to he and all the other lads I'm sure David will shake all their hands and wish them well. Cant help feel sorry for him.... still would have been nice to translate the Horwitz,Stewart,Kellaway combination from TKS last weekend. He has been in rare form and his defence agst the big guys may be needed. I'm guessing if Reece is playing colts he can tackle. Good luck to all.
S
Sydneybra
Guest
Condolences to Rorke. 2nd year he has been ruled out of playing for Australia against NZ because of injury
Lee Grant
John Eales (66)
That's bad luck for Rorke and a significant withdrawal.
He was the only big bopper lock in the squad at St. Marys. The bloke who was re-instated, Cornelson, is only 90kgs and Phillip is 93kgs. The fellow who played for Oz A, Korczyk, is around about the same and I forget Staniforth, who didn't play in the Oz tournament this year because of injury, though having watched him play for Oz A last year I think he is a bit of a stringbean too.
All these players have big engines and are fairly mobile and tall enough. But against Kiwi School teams you would prefer your second rowers to have a bit of weight and play a big game with it, if you know what I mean - fellows like Rorke this year and Browning last, even if they aren't giraffes.
Normally you would hear news about Oz Schools players withdrawing from tours or matches with equanimity: injuries happen all the time, but those of Foketi and Rorke are hammer blows to the 2012 Oz Schools side. The third shoe to drop will probably have skipper Whiteley's name on it.
If you had to have 3 injuries in a team you would like them to be of players who were not so influential, but the real world isn't like that is it?
Good luck to all the lads especially the substitutes - please prove me wrong.
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He was the only big bopper lock in the squad at St. Marys. The bloke who was re-instated, Cornelson, is only 90kgs and Phillip is 93kgs. The fellow who played for Oz A, Korczyk, is around about the same and I forget Staniforth, who didn't play in the Oz tournament this year because of injury, though having watched him play for Oz A last year I think he is a bit of a stringbean too.
All these players have big engines and are fairly mobile and tall enough. But against Kiwi School teams you would prefer your second rowers to have a bit of weight and play a big game with it, if you know what I mean - fellows like Rorke this year and Browning last, even if they aren't giraffes.
Normally you would hear news about Oz Schools players withdrawing from tours or matches with equanimity: injuries happen all the time, but those of Foketi and Rorke are hammer blows to the 2012 Oz Schools side. The third shoe to drop will probably have skipper Whiteley's name on it.
If you had to have 3 injuries in a team you would like them to be of players who were not so influential, but the real world isn't like that is it?
Good luck to all the lads especially the substitutes - please prove me wrong.
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Fair comment. Rorke will be missed. However I watched the QLD locks this season. They both played No8 for their respective schools. Cornelson despite his frame has been excellent in attack. Defensively not that strong. Korczyk on the other hand has been outstanding in break-downs, a real powerhouse for his poorly performing school. Staniforth form is unknown (? any comments from ACT) . Phillips as I understand had a good season. Hope Whiteley will be fit for Aus School. Cant afford to lose anyone at this point.
Lee Grant
John Eales (66)
You confirm my point in a way about the Qld locks:"playing no.8", "outstanding in breakdowns"; "excellent in attack", "defensively not that strong". No mention of "runs over the top of people", ""breaks tackles when stopped", "makes dominant tackles against big ball runners". I have no doubt about your description of those players because it is what I saw from them in the Oz tournament - and Phillip is much the same by the way, for St. Augustines.
It would not be so bad if the front rowers were big bopper power runners but they are not. LHP Pleash is a fine player, in the manner of a backrower, and weighs only 92kgs. THP Nadruku and reserve prop Kavapalu are big enough but they were side stepping at St. Marys Good grief.
The one shining light is the inclusion of Robertson in the touring team. He can prop on either side of the scrum and he can definitely run over folks and make dominant tackles. He can also play like a backrower when play is loose but he shines in the tight. Not to the point of hard play either, but he is the fastest forward in his school XV and can embarrass some of the backs.
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It would not be so bad if the front rowers were big bopper power runners but they are not. LHP Pleash is a fine player, in the manner of a backrower, and weighs only 92kgs. THP Nadruku and reserve prop Kavapalu are big enough but they were side stepping at St. Marys Good grief.
The one shining light is the inclusion of Robertson in the touring team. He can prop on either side of the scrum and he can definitely run over folks and make dominant tackles. He can also play like a backrower when play is loose but he shines in the tight. Not to the point of hard play either, but he is the fastest forward in his school XV and can embarrass some of the backs.
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G
gilbert15
Guest
And with the inclusion of Porch from Farrah High, do you think that the selectors might be trying too, ''spread the love'' so to speak?
where did the rest of the expanded touring squad come from??
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