CAS Selections
On first pass I think the selectors have done an admirable job picking the 1st and 2nd XV’s and the reserves.
It’s never easy and initial thoughts change as players and teams develop. Throw in some key injuries and you find the team you thought you had nutted out after 2 rounds looks pretty different to that team that is finally selected.
Winning form is usually good form so it is no surprise that Knox and Alloys have good representation at the expense of individuals at both Cranbrook and Waverley.
Combinations play a part as well. I for one have been impressed with the Barker front row (all year 11 lads) and thought that they would be a shoe in for the CAS 2nd team with some burly locks from other schools giving them some extra grunt that has been missing from their school team this year.
But with injury to Tian Stals (Barkers hooker) that theory gets thrown out the door. Selectors have gone with Tim Anstee (B) Anthony Nguyen (T) and Alexander Rathie(C), all quality players as individuals in the hope that they can form a combination that will withhold the onslaught that the GPS and CHS lads will throw at them.
The locks and back row pick themselves. I think Will Stenmark (C) was unlucky not to make either team but from the CAS 1sts perspective, Swinton, Margin, Basson, Chapman and McLennon give the coach the cattle to really take it to GPS forwards this year.
The backline is another area where combinations have probably been thought of but eventually discarded in favour of individuals. The back 3 of Diamond (A) Longville (T) and Navagan (W) have speed and size and really give the CAS 1st XV some strike power this year.
Matt Hayes Alloys () and Bruce Thompson (B10) have been playing brilliantly all year and deserve their selections. The centre pairing of Williams (K) and Slaven (A) has its critics, but I am sure the selectors were conscious of the fact that neither Knox nor Alloys have had 40 points scored against them this year, so defensively these boys have muscled up and got the job done and so deserve their spots.
The fact that McNiven (C) did not make either squad is perplexing as he has not put a foot wrong but unfortunately is playing in a team that has yet to win a game.
Good luck to all the boys on Thursday against CHS at Cranbrook.