CAS Rugby 2017

[viewsfromthelips]

Impressed by Trinity on the weekend, seems as though they have gone unnoticed..
The Backline had great depth and ensured success. Edmed 10 with great organisation and vision and with the likes of Ilias 13 strong attack. Payne 12 again showing great strength with BHD's 14 speed scoring 3 great tries Unusual to see Ilias in the centres with Tanner playing 15 but both had quite a respectable game.
Forwards were run by Stead 8 whose running ability caused a big danger for Cranbrook. Lambert 1 had a strong game also, with promising running strength and defence. Also impressed with Yazbeck in the lineout.

Interested in how they will continue for the rest of the season, with great depth in their attack.

 

[Armchair Selector]

Barker 1sts playing Joeys 3rds this weekend.

That makes a lot of sense. Joeys Thirds beat Trinity Firsts in a competitive game 2 weeks ago

 

[William88]

CAS is an interesting comp and it is getting some good press from the strength of Knox and Waverley this year.

But there is still a gap in strength between the top two and the next group, which are some issues raised out of the Green and Gold 2016 season review.

While Barker have shown glimpses of their early 10's best, they are still not able to deliver. Trinity appears to be a team that manages to produce NSW schoolboys but never reaches their potential. Cranbrook appear to have less and less focus on rugby, with the transition away from the strong coaches and directors they had a few years ago to minimising their investment this year. Alos appear to be a bit of a dark horse, but don't seem to have as much focus.

The point is, how will the CAS survive this current trend that appears to be creating mismatches and making rugby unenjoyable for these schools that struggle?

Is it a matter of resources that sees Waverley and Knox going up the ladder? I know people will argue about how much one school spends against another, but the coaching is what I mean here - Knox and Waverley have very good coaches - hence the way each of these teams play above their weight against GPS squads.

I think the coaching structures at these schools allow them to succeed. Look at when Waverley became successful, it was when they changed their coaching structure last year. Thoughts? Knox have always been good, but Williams has ushered in a new era of professionalism to the Knox program. Thoughts?

What needs to be done to ensure the CAS competition and all its competitors remain competitive in what could be considered the trophy sport of the competition?

 

[SonnyDillWilliams]

while it is nice to bask in the glory of the Double Vs David and Goliath effort

i think it masks that even at WavCol, rugby appears (based on my non-insider view) to be losing the battle of hearts and minds

WavCol is not a small school ... yes Knox is way bigger ... but if you look at say the 16s, unless I am mistaken there are only 4 teams, and there are more soccer teams (5 ....unless I am mistaken)

compare that to Joeys ... where the 16s has 7 rugby teams and 2 soccer teams

so its a disaster and the ARU are completely asleep at the wheel

I know the CAS and GPS aren't the solution to Aussie rugby woes, but the decline is most evident ... for anyone who cares to look

back in 1971 when Waverley played Joeys I would be interested to know how many rugby teams Waverley fielded, as opposed to soccer

and is it just soccer winning the battle for hearts and minds? Not sure what kids are showing the most interest in, in terms of compulsory sport

very sad if kids are really just not interested in teams sports per se ... as I continue to think the kid playing in Joeys 16Gs can learn the same lessons as the kid in the 16As .... but not if he has no opposition

 

[moa999]

And don't mention the XVIII sport. I believe Waverly is running quite a few teams there, including two in Yr7.

Think Knox has a similar number of teams.

 

[Bargo]

You have to make rugby a desirable option. Put some CAS or CAS vs GPS matches as opening matches to Super Rugby or Internationals. Livestream First XV matches so there can be a bigger audience. Provide some history of rugby matches between schools and player bios so there is greater appreciation of the contest.

 

[Quick Hands]

so its a disaster and the ARU are completely asleep at the wheel

I know the CAS and GPS aren't the solution to Aussie rugby woes, but the decline is most evident . for anyone who cares to look

back in 1971 when Waverley played Joeys I would be interested to know how many rugby teams Waverley fielded, as opposed to soccer

and is it just soccer winning the battle for hearts and minds? Not sure what kids are showing the most interest in, in terms of compulsory sport

very sad if kids are really just not interested in teams sports per se . as I continue to think the kid playing in Joeys 16Gs can learn the same lessons as the kid in the 16As .. but not if he has no opposition

There would have been no soccer at either school in 1971 I suspect.

Are you also aware that the ARU has withdrawn funding and support for the Australian schoolboys? (see separate thread)

 

[WLF]

CAS is an interesting comp and it is getting some good press from the strength of Knox and Waverley this year.

But there is still a gap in strength between the top two and the next group, which are some issues raised out of the Green and Gold 2016 season review.

While Barker have shown glimpses of their early 10's best, they are still not able to deliver. Trinity appears to be a team that manages to produce NSW schoolboys but never reaches their potential. Cranbrook appear to have less and less focus on rugby, with the transition away from the strong coaches and directors they had a few years ago to minimising their investment this year. Alos appear to be a bit of a dark horse, but don't seem to have as much focus.

The point is, how will the CAS survive this current trend that appears to be creating mismatches and making rugby unenjoyable for these schools that struggle?

Is it a matter of resources that sees Waverley and Knox going up the ladder? I know people will argue about how much one school spends against another, but the coaching is what I mean here - Knox and Waverley have very good coaches - hence the way each of these teams play above their weight against GPS squads.

I think the coaching structures at these schools allow them to succeed. Look at when Waverley became successful, it was when they changed their coaching structure last year. Thoughts? Knox have always been good, but Williams has ushered in a new era of professionalism to the Knox program. Thoughts?

What needs to be done to ensure the CAS competition and all its competitors remain competitive in what could be considered the trophy sport of the competition?

W88,

One thing I can say for sure is that much steams from the Head of School.
Certainly not the only answer but as an example, and as an insider, I have already seen a MAJOR shift in the focus back towards rugby at Waverley.

New Gym, within months of being top dog, serious discussions with internal rugby staff, about how to strengthen the future, and presence at the younger age group games, not just mandatory first XV.
He was at the 14A Joeys v Waves great game last week at QP then went on to Joeys!

Time will tell but you would think this type of focus/ serious support will reap real benefits.

I think until a new ARU board is delivered don't hold your breath.

 

[CatchnPass]

Must agree.Waverley worked it out at death valley last year where they focussed their runners. More will follow should make for an interesting season

Need to keep this in perspective. New are a very good side and won well, but it was 5 tries to 3 and if Knox can improve in a few areas, would be an interesting rematch. Waves also won well v Joeys and seem to be travelling strongly bar a blip v Kings. But make no mistake, New should be a tougher proposition than Joeys. They are bigger, well drilled, good set piece and breakdown and unlikely to be intimidated by Waves forwards as perhaps Joeys were. It will be a great test of coaches and players for the double V this weekend.

 

[leftrightout16]

Cranbrook vs Trinity really showed the large gap in CAS, worried about Cranbrook's ability to play Waverley and Knox however it was good to see the two schools hit out with many improvements for both sides. Stead and Byron H-D really stood out as well as the Trinity centre pairing. For Cranbrook Stenmark showed some promise with very little support around him, maybe even pushing for CAS selection. O'Reily also has a lot of potential, he is in year 10 but was able to keep up with the Trinity pack.

 

[RugbyFan14]

....i think it masks that even at WavCol, rugby appears (based on my non-insider view) to be losing the battle of hearts and minds

WavCol is not a small school . yes Knox is way bigger . but if you look at say the 16s, unless I am mistaken there are only 4 teams, and there are more soccer teams (5 ..unless I am mistaken)

compare that to Joeys . where the 16s has 7 rugby teams and 2 soccer teams

so its a disaster and the ARU are completely asleep at the wheel....

Barker is a good example, approx 210 boys per year group. Looking at the boys sport draw on the web site - last week across the high school they fielded 17 rugby teams and 37 soccer teams. Only 2 teams in u16 and 2 in u14. Agree there is something bigger going on in junior rugby.....

 

[moa999]

And 4 AFL teams (including two in Y 7/8) - which is obviously growing.
and the odd Squash/Tennis/Volleyball team (although less numbers per team)

 

[Hasbeen]

Primarily the responsibility begins with the head of the school IMO. If the school is going to involve itself in a competition like the CAS then there are no half measures. You either compete properly and make Rugby compulsory for at least one year in the junior ranks or you get out of the competition. I have banged on about this before so dont intend to repeat myself but to some the drop off in participation given the schools history is disappointing. Not that he is a bad head - he is a great Guy, just not Rugby inclined.

 

[WLF]

if i may:

i like the idea of what all the schools are trying to achieve which i presume is some sort of equality and an even playing field. Again I assume that every parent has their kids interest as the main focal point

what is clearly evident is that that the competitive levels of all the schools varies incredibly. The bigger schools not only have tremendous talent in their A teams but their B teams are really talented and are consistently putting pressure for selection into the top team. Again what is clear is clear is that smaller schools (ie: 2 teams per age groups) B teams are not in fact B teams but a mixture of B's, C's and D's whereas for example Joyes and Knox etc B teams are genuine B teams.

Barker v Joeys 2nds (33/21 to Joeys) , Aloys 2nds v Joeys 5ths (joeys 7/5), Grammar 1sts v Barker 2nds ( Grammar24/7) is hopefully what this new competition will bring to the table. I don' know anyone thinks an 80-0 scoreline helps either the victors or the vanquished.

One thing to me seems to be clear. Knox and Waverley have clearly stepped up to the mark and Aloys beating High 80-nil and Grammar by 50 shows there is a wide gap between many schools.

Ideally in a brave new world all the kids can have a really good competitive game of Rugby and not lost to the dark side of other sports; as seems to be the case at the moment.

Hi Dick,

I am gathering our troups for Sat June 3, Aloys v Waves at QP.
I think we should also catch up prior for a few warmer-uppers, and lunch at the Robin Hood Hotel at 12 noon, then walk down to the game.

Please confirm all is go!

 

[Hasbeen]

I will likely get howled down for saying this but maybe the real problem is that society has become too matriarchal. Mommy is too concerned with little Johnny coming home with his pretty little face sprig marked when (given a choice) little Johnny would love to show off his sprig marked face to his mates on Monday. So Johnny cant play Rugby anymore. Seen it Guys....

 

[WLF]

I will likely get howled down for saying this but maybe the real problem is that society has become too matriarchal. Mommy is too concerned with little Johnny coming home with his pretty little face sprig marked when (given a choice) little Johnny would love to show off his sprig marked face to his mates on Monday. So Johnny cant play Rugby anymore. Seen it Guys..

With you HASBEEN.

Just watch Sydney Housewives DARLING, and that is what it is becoming!

 

[Inside Shoulder]

Knox and Waverley have very good coaches -

Has Williams left?

 

[richard powell]

Hi Dick,

I am gathering our troups for Sat June 3, Aloys v Waves at QP.
I think we should also catch up prior for a few warmer-uppers, and lunch at the Robin Hood Hotel at 12 noon, then walk down to the game.

Please confirm all is go!

 

[richard powell]

all good mate ... great idea for the Robin Hood. Ill get back with numbers.

 

[William88]

Has Williams left?

He hasn't. But I meant Glassie more than williams.