CAS predictions for Round 1
Cranbrook v Barker
This should be a great battle ... both teams have some high quality players.
Cranbrook probably have more firepower in the backs with high quality 9 (Smith) and big & fast 13 in Peter North, and a good attacking 15 in Oli Lamens ....but also some good forwards in 8 Alex O'Reilly and 1 Hugo Hayman .
Barker has a massive weapon in Aussie Schools Billy Pollard (2) and probably the best CAS front-row (with Brown and Wilson), plus big, tall & mobile Jordan Cameron(4). Kyle Galloway on the wing is electric .... and a sure thing for higher Rep honours. While Barker also has an excellent playmaker in their (10) Hilton Ovenden.
My money is on Barker ... as Hornsby has not been a happy hunting ground for Cranbrook. In 2014 when Cranbrook last beat Barker it was at Horden.
My tip ... Barker in a high scoring match ... decided on the bell.
Waverley v Knox
Another awesome game ....key match-ups (subject to injury):
Playmakers - Waverley's Volkman versus Darcy Fitzgerald
Centres - Rooster's Lathan Hutchinson-Walters v nsw schools 2017 Sam rechner
Frontrowers - Aisea Aholelei v Kablau
Backrowers - Moretti & Fretton & Baker versus Cheal , longhi and Gratwicke
My tip Waverley with the difference being the rabid QP crowd.
Match of round ... depends on where you live ... as have 2 high quality matches ... one North ... and one South.
Aloys v Trinity
I am probably not the best to comment on this one... but I think the 2 weeks off for Trinity should prove the difference
However could be close one ... and Aloys definitely have some fight in them, and Trinity similarly have some high quality players.
My guess is Trinity's tougher pre-season should stand them in good stead