Thank you for some objectivity. Reading another thread - I thought was in a parallel universe - turned out to be tongue in cheek - you guys! - after watching the GPS "guns" in action - I can only sum it up as rather ordinary except the back 3 - give credit due - skill, speed, talent and persistence definitely hard to beat.
The score didn't reflect the game - a couple of opportune tries making it look far worse than it actually was. (Told this was one of the sentiments of one of the winning side's coaches). Who knows - reality is full of opinions just like those on the internet (Thank you Abe).
On first read of the "other thread" it certainly didn't reflect what I witnessed last night. Slight sense of relief when actual thoughts revealed.
Reality call needed ............please!
CAS 1st XV came out solidly and gave some much touted and "beaten" up names a scare for the first fifteen minutes or so. Great to see! Humbling in fact. Not that word "humble" is widely used currently.
Not knowing all of the names vs actual bodies - gave all of them the benefit of the doubt and I waited, waited and waited ....then - thought they had enough petrol in their tank - were saving themselves for the second half and armageddon was near.
Didn't happen.
Some blokes thought they were ambling towards the station home from school rather playing rugby. (Just being big is no longer the criteria to play in the elite ranks and you have to play and participate in the full game - not go missing in action and becoming obstacles around the edge of the ruck. No longer under 12s!
I gave the benefit to the maligned number 8 GPS due to his reported meteoric rise in schoolboy rugby. (Hey you guys - you put this stuff out there!) I thought he spent a lot of time away from the physical action and the line outs (which CAS surprisingly dominated - a very positive thing in itself (and we need to bottle the Barker hookers throwing in skills - superb!)).
All in all not a ground breaking performance from a possible/probable future rugby representative and he did not live up to the hype conferred upon him (not really his fault I suppose) - he became mute as the game progressed - not good for a captain of a first XV.
Majority of the CAS forwards had a heavy workload and performed well - did not disgrace themselves at all. Thought no 7 was tireless - and gave everything he had. Number 5 was consistent, dependable and very solid as he has been from the outset of the games - 7 and 5 showed the right stuff which a team requires. There was no great difference in the 8s - thought CAS 8 didn't shirk from contact and mixing it in the forwards - he was noticeably dominant over his opposite number in that aspect. The CAS props were obviously smaller and "outweighed" - they were however more mobile and with a few more games together - would be a potent combination and very effective force in any competition.
I understand both NSWJRU and the NSWSRU have a great interest in solidarity, teamwork and cohesion with a team playing together and having little or no room for "stars" as they tell the players themselves - "there is always going to be someone better and faster."
The CAS first XV forwards should take credit for their performance.
it boiled down to the GPS back three really. The ball got to them and they did their assigned jobs. Great entertaining rugby.
I think there will be a number of surprises when the selectors make their views known this weekend. And will serve as a reality check for some.
Lot like life really?
Look forward to CHS - GPS game Friday - VERY interested in who will walk to the station .......... together??
GPS V CAS
solid performances from Debrazeni, ben lawley, pat Kennedy and the 4 and 5. all forwards stated have extremely high work rates especially Kennedy. couldnt understand why P.cokinos didnt start, talakai lacks fitness and the other boy seems more impressive.
For GPS the 8 and 6 proved very good footy players with the rest of the forward pack being solid players of a very high standard as well. The backline was as usual, very dominant. Very solid players to look at in the future such as the 12 and both wings.