Australian Schoolboys & National Championships 2014
- Thread starter Hugh Jarse
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Frank Row (1)
Hugh Jarse
Rocky Elsom (76)
My thoughts on Day 1
The swirling wind was a cold as a kiss from the Mother In Law, and during the stronger periods it gave the lineout throwers and kickers some grief.
Oval was well presented by the Riverview ground staff.
Referees and AR’s worked well together to manage the games professionally.
NSW II: Forwards OK, backs had some dropsies and looked a little flat and nervous. Breakdown and counter ruck work very good. Lots of opportunities missed with poor passes or catches, or poor options taken. Coaches will not be happy. They will not beat Qld I if they don’t improve their accuracy and concentration significantly.
ACT: Never gave up. Try in final movement of both halves. Combinations seemed more comfortable and composed. Gave up too many breakdown penalties. #10 is very talented footballer. #11 fast and direct runner.
CS: Some players seemed different to those in the programme. Need to work on combinations. Will be better for this hit out. We haven’t seen the best of this team yet.
QLD II. Able to build pressure but struggled to land the killer blow. Looked rusty and a little unfit. Coaches will not be happy with overall performance. They will improve as the tournament progresses. Can’t see them beating NSW I. #9, #10 impressive.
WA. Lacking height in piggies. Generally played “young”. #4 did a tonne of work. #10 skilled with potential. #15 courageous. Were never going to beat Qld I but gave them a damn good workout. Unable to keep up with pace and retain structure for extended periods. Will be handful for NSW II and ACT.
Qld I. Classy, but rusty. Impressive set piece work. Seemed to be in cruise control. Fatties excellent. #8 wrecking ball. Backs kept their powder dry but showed glimpses of power and speed - #12 dangerous runner. #11 and #15 lethal if given any space. Plenty of height in piggies, but upper body strength questionable in the giraffes. Should comfortably top Pool B.
Vic. Never given a real chance until well after oranges. Players and coach won’t be happy. Need more composure on defence, or this will not be a happy tournament for them. #7, #5, #10 played well in well beaten team.
NSW I. Good balance between backs and forwards. #6 had an off day. Lineout could be better. Need to find better goal kicking options if they want to win on Thursday and Saturday. Experienced players stood up. Should comfortably top Pool A.
The swirling wind was a cold as a kiss from the Mother In Law, and during the stronger periods it gave the lineout throwers and kickers some grief.
Oval was well presented by the Riverview ground staff.
Referees and AR’s worked well together to manage the games professionally.
NSW II: Forwards OK, backs had some dropsies and looked a little flat and nervous. Breakdown and counter ruck work very good. Lots of opportunities missed with poor passes or catches, or poor options taken. Coaches will not be happy. They will not beat Qld I if they don’t improve their accuracy and concentration significantly.
ACT: Never gave up. Try in final movement of both halves. Combinations seemed more comfortable and composed. Gave up too many breakdown penalties. #10 is very talented footballer. #11 fast and direct runner.
CS: Some players seemed different to those in the programme. Need to work on combinations. Will be better for this hit out. We haven’t seen the best of this team yet.
QLD II. Able to build pressure but struggled to land the killer blow. Looked rusty and a little unfit. Coaches will not be happy with overall performance. They will improve as the tournament progresses. Can’t see them beating NSW I. #9, #10 impressive.
WA. Lacking height in piggies. Generally played “young”. #4 did a tonne of work. #10 skilled with potential. #15 courageous. Were never going to beat Qld I but gave them a damn good workout. Unable to keep up with pace and retain structure for extended periods. Will be handful for NSW II and ACT.
Qld I. Classy, but rusty. Impressive set piece work. Seemed to be in cruise control. Fatties excellent. #8 wrecking ball. Backs kept their powder dry but showed glimpses of power and speed - #12 dangerous runner. #11 and #15 lethal if given any space. Plenty of height in piggies, but upper body strength questionable in the giraffes. Should comfortably top Pool B.
Vic. Never given a real chance until well after oranges. Players and coach won’t be happy. Need more composure on defence, or this will not be a happy tournament for them. #7, #5, #10 played well in well beaten team.
NSW I. Good balance between backs and forwards. #6 had an off day. Lineout could be better. Need to find better goal kicking options if they want to win on Thursday and Saturday. Experienced players stood up. Should comfortably top Pool A.
Monsier Le Drop
Frank Row (1)
Not the only one to have commented on the 10's kicking. I think he doesnt kick for his school side, and looking at that backline I dont think they have a recognised kicker. Would selectors look at this? Or is goal kicking or penalties at schoolboy level not considered enough to push someone over the line when comparing individuals? Good on him for stepping up though in what was apparently some trying conditions
Monsier Le Drop
Frank Row (1)
Hugh Jarse
Rocky Elsom (76)
9 Goddard and 22 Smerdon are very accomplished goal kickers on the NSW 1 Roster. Seemed funny that one wasn't on the field when the meat harvest was on.
Monsier Le Drop
Frank Row (1)
Monsier Le Drop
Frank Row (1)
random2
Johnnie Wallace (23)
O'Shea isn't a goal kicker but had to step up with Goddard on the bench
Hugh Jarse
Rocky Elsom (76)
@Woodrat, I think Lough Jnr was an entrant in the NSW I Place Kicking lottery yesterday. 6th try. Attempt was into the teeth of the breeze from out wide on the left flank, tough kick.
OR do you mean that Lough Snr, the #8 from NSW II, can kick.
You are right that goal kicking is not an activity that only princesses can enjoy - John Eales anyone.
Also the leading goal kicker in Sydney Colts 1 this year is a Prop from Parramatta (Benton), with a second rower from Southern Districts (Weeks) not too far behind him.
OR do you mean that Lough Snr, the #8 from NSW II, can kick.
You are right that goal kicking is not an activity that only princesses can enjoy - John Eales anyone.
Also the leading goal kicker in Sydney Colts 1 this year is a Prop from Parramatta (Benton), with a second rower from Southern Districts (Weeks) not too far behind him.
Hugh Jarse
Rocky Elsom (76)
The oracle has spoken about the ACT Game here @Angrydog: http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/aussie-school-champs-day-1/2/
the mexican
Bob McCowan (2)
Any updates on any Div 2 results today .....
Hugh Jarse
Rocky Elsom (76)
Article on the South Australia Team is up on the front page of the blog:
http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/south-australian-u18-school-boys-depart-national-championships/
http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/south-australian-u18-school-boys-depart-national-championships/
the mexican
Bob McCowan (2)
This is great ....was hoping to read about the games in Div II.
Will just have to wait and see if any reports come through.
Will just have to wait and see if any reports come through.
Sideline Eye
Darby Loudon (17)
Hugh, he sure did have an off day. An ambo took young Walker (ISA / St Augustines) off after the match, and I just heard confirmation he has a broken ankle/leg, so a replacement has been brought into camp for the bench. Not sure who that is. Such as shame, ashe was very good for ISA and I was looking forward to seeing him perform in some more competitive games later this week... Commiserations to John, his family and supporters.
As someone said earlier in one of these forums, it's just a lottery and every player is at the whim of the selectors and the injury hobgoblin.
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