CAS 2019

[Black & White]

With 1,100 students from years 9-12 on cadet camp, Knox had a lot fewer Opens players to choose from for their two matches this week.

Thursday night saw a match on Knox 1 against Arndell Anglican College. Played in torrential rain, handling on both sides was sloppy, with Knox taking the win.

Saturday saw Knox travel to Erina to play Central Coast Grammar.

The Central Coast boys fell behind early in the match, but fought their way back through some very effective counter rucking and great ball control. Two quick tries at the end of the match saw CCG take the win (I think), with Knox finishing the game with 14 players due to a couple of injuries and limited reserves.

It was a good hit-out for the Knox boys, who were made up of players from the 4ths/5ths/6ths.

The Knox 1st’s and 2nd’s head off to Japan on the first day of school holidays, with several matches planned.

Central Coast Grammar is a potential growth school for Rugby Union and by playing them, Knox contributes to the expansion and improvement of Rugby on the Central Coast. In time CGS, may expand its numbers and hopefully play in the ISA Division 1 Competition. With annual fixtures against Knox and say Barker, CCGS could emerge as a quality pipeline not just the Central Coast, but for Sydney Based Clubs, particularly those on the North Shore.

 

[Joker]

CCGS could emerge as a quality pipeline not just the Central Coast, but for Sydney Based Clubs, particularly those on the North Shore.

And with no pesky scholarship laws to worry about it gives CAS schools another area to mine players from. Mind you, I have actually seen scouts myself from two GPS schools on the central coast looking at players from Avoca and Terrigal clubs. Anyone have idea who they maybe "shopping for"?

 

[P. Parker]

SDW, Aloys had a game against pius yesterday but unsure of the score, I’d assume the aloys boys would have got up comfortabely. Brook was without a game yesterday and head to The AIS in Canberra this week with games against Marist Canberra and kinross Wallaroi. Should be a couple good hit outs. Trinity played Newington yesterday but again am not sure of a score line.

Aloys and Pius played at College Oval on the weekend, with the Pius boys putting in a good showing.

Many of the Pius 1st's are from last years successful 16A's, and it showed in their size, with the Aloys forwards outweighing them by about 150kg. It meant that Pius struggled in the scrum, and particularly in the lineout.

Despite this, Aloys never really dominated, and in fact Pius had two tries disallowed.

Pius hung in till the end, scoring a late try to finish with a 29-12 Aloys win.

 

[carl spackler]

And with no pesky scholarship laws to worry about it gives CAS schools another area to mine players from. Mind you, I have actually seen scouts myself from two GPS schools on the central coast looking at players from Avoca and Terrigal clubs. Anyone have idea who they maybe "shopping for"?

I'm fairly sure that Josh Nercessian who turned up at Barker in the last few years of school was from Central Coast Grammar. So their is evidence of some scouting already occurring.

 

[Derick Smith]

And with no pesky scholarship laws to worry about it gives CAS schools another area to mine players from. Mind you, I have actually seen scouts myself from two GPS schools on the central coast looking at players from Avoca and Terrigal clubs. Anyone have idea who they maybe "shopping for"?

I heard there have been a few players the scouts have their eyes on. The main player that scouts have their eyes own are Marcos Moyona who is a 112kg lock who played Argie schoolboys in year 10 but parents moved over to Central Coast towards the end of last year.

 

[noeyeddear]

Does anyone have the Aloys team list for that game against Pius? That’s a far closer score than I would have expected.

The Waverley loss is not panic stations - the view team is better than their 2018 win/loss indicated and they will perform well this year.

 

[J Dog Fenton]

With both Knox and Waves going to Japan on tour these upcoming holidays, is there any talk of them playing each other?

 

[P. Parker]

With both Knox and Waves going to Japan on tour these upcoming holidays, is there any talk of them playing each other?

Knox are scheduled to play 4 games against Japanese opponents over the 9 days that they will be in Japan, with no mention of Waverley on the itinerary.

 

[Meat and Pies]

Does anyone have the Aloys team list for that game against Pius? That’s a far closer score than I would have expected.

The Waverley loss is not panic stations - the view team is better than their 2018 win/loss indicated and they will perform well this year.

Not too sure on the full team lists, but watching the game the second row combination of Allen and Partington were very strong, almost disrupting every Pius line out and Shiel-Dick (8) was very strong in defence to go with a handful of damaging runs. In the backs will be the issue for Aloys in 2019, Spalding (12) will need to have an Australian Schoolboys type season for Aloys to be competitive in CAS with Antico a huge loss for them, and places a large job on Sidgreeves? (10), who I believed played NSW 9 last year but unsure?, he had a solid game, but will struggle majorly if forwards are unable to lay a platform. Aloys also looked to have a big 13, not sure on the name, but he looks extremely well built, although didn't have many opportunities he would be a player to watch due to his sheer stature.
Overall from the game against Pius the forwards were very dominant which allowed the backs to have time and space, however if they cannot lay this platform against stronger CAS teams, the inexperience of Sidgreeves at 10 may show if Spalding is unable to fire. It may be a long season for Aloys.

My Prediction is:
Barker
Waverly
Knox
Cranbrook
Trinity
Aloys

 

[Hasbeen]

Maybe this year may be one more approaching perfect competition - at least in the top 4 - with game outcomes being determined on error rates rather than talent abundance. Should lead to some great games.

 

[rod skellet]

Some feedback on Barkers short trip to Qld.

Played St Patricks on Saturday. Not sure on final score but it was a 3 x 20min period game, Barker was leading 83/5 deep into the last term. No injuries reported from that game although Pollard and Cameron were rested.

This afternoon Barker played Marist Bros again in 3 x 20min periods. Final score 36/17 to Barker.

Any feedback on Waves or Knox tours? What about Trinity Aloys and Brook??

 

[P. Parker]

Knox Japan Tour

A group of over 40 Knox rugby players departed for Japan on Saturday afternoon.

Stopping in Singapore at 2AM, they caught their connecting flight to Fukuoka arriving at 10:30AM Sunday.

They had a training session at Higashi Fukoka High School on Sunday afternoon, then a cultural session at the school on Monday morning.

Monday afternoon was for rugby.

Half the squad had returned from a 7-10 day cadet camp late the previous Friday, and these boys were rested for the game against Higashi Fukoka.

Higashi are one of the top rugby schools in Japan, and are a regular competitor at the Sanix tournament.

This year they will compete at Sanix in Pool B, while Waverley are in Pool C.

Depending on results, there is the potential for Waverley to meet Higashi in the quarter finals.


Japanese rugby players are drilled extensively from an early age.

It is not unusual for players as young as 8 to have 2-3 training sessions a week, lasting 1-2 hours, plus on non-game weekends a 3-4 hour training session.

Their training is very skills based - catching, passing, technique at the tackle and the ruck.

This showed in the game against Knox. Higashi play a very fast game, with amazing skills on show. They make very few errors, and are quick to disrupt the breakdown.

With Knox making many small errors, Higashi took full advantage and were up 19-5 at the break.

The second half was more even, though Knox were constantly under pressure in their half. A late second half try saw Higashi finish 24-5 victors.

Knox play their next games on Wednesday, with the 1st's and 2nd's squads in Oita playing Oita Maizuru High School and Uenogaoka High School respectively.

 

[P. Parker]

Rugby isn't given the same focus in Oita as in Fukuoka - below is the in-goal area of the Oita Athletic Stadium.

Knox 1st's defeated Oita Mizuru 38-14, after leading 12-7 at half time.
Knox 2nds defeated Uenoogaoka 47-5.

 

[Black & White]

Rugby isn't given the same focus in Oita as in Fukuoka - below is the in-goal area of the Oita Athletic Stadium.

Knox 1st's defeated Oita Mizuru 38-14, after leading 12-7 at half time.
Knox 2nds defeated Uenoogaoka 47-5.

View attachment 10582

It would appear from your comprehensive post P.Parker that Japan's win against South Africa, 34-32 and 26-5 against Samoa in the 2015 World Cup, were founded and originate at the schools level. They were not a simple flukes. A fact that the Senior levels of Australian Rugby must understand. The inclusion U/18 non schools player is a start, but expansion of the Game needs to be a priority at the school level. Clearly, the Japanese are taking the game very seriously at this level and dividends are being paid for their investment.

 

[SonnyDillWilliams]

I am confused?!

Are Knox playing in Sanix?

 

[P. Parker]

Knox Vs St Pats (Saturday 27th April)

A pretty disinterested Knox 2nd’s played an energetic St Pats at Hudson Park Oval today.

St Pats had a 14-5 lead, but Knox finally started to wake up in the second half to take the score to 14-10.

A late try by Knox got them an unlikely win 15-14.

The 1st’s was a different matter.

Knox scored after just 2 minutes, then again 4 minutes later.

While the Knox forwards were solid, the backline had some new faces and new positions for the old faces.

The result was that the ball didn’t get wide as often as it did against Oakhill a few weeks back.

St Pats held tough till the end, almost scoring just before the siren, however Knox were too good winning 69-0.

 

[P. Parker]

I am confused?!

Are Knox playing in Sanix?

No - Knox went to Japan for a pre-season tour, and are now back in Sydney.

Sanix starts tomorrow (Sunday 28th)

 

[P. Parker]

Looks like Waves won their first match at Sanix vs Ryutsu Keizai Univ. Kashiwa High School - 27-24.

Currently playing Kyoto Seisho High School.

 

[P. Parker]

Waves defeated Kyoto Seisho High School 29-17, after being down 17-5 at half time.

#13 did all the damage for Waves, with #10 showing amazing footwork.

The matches are available to view at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYR5Awxeq3aEnwUtgTGdTtg?view_as=subscriber

 

[Jack Gallagher]

Cranbrook vs Pius, expecting cricket scores here, Pius XV last in ISA 2018, cranbrook to be one of the top placed teams in 2019 CAS, this wont end well...