Hey Waverlian,
I am a proud father of five boys (four who have played 1st XV like myself within the CAS competition) and I personally find it infuriating when spectators get worked up over school boys on the forum. When push comes to shove these lads are training there hearts out and putting eveything on the line (including their time spent studying - exclude aloys from this obviously they have there priorities straight) to entertain you all. I find the banter and humour to be lighthearted and aligning with the ideals of strong rivalry in school boy rugby. The CAS rugby competition is built on the backs of 90 lads wanting to go onto a field and smack each other each week to defend their institutions and good on them for wanting to talk themselves up. The forum as a whole is not just here for us old blokes to reminisce but for the youngens to discover the beauty of the battle. I think that to little credit is given to the blokes who really want to fight for every inch, on and off the field, whether that be in training, in games or on the forum. Sun Tzu himself wrote in The Art of War that “All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when we are able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must appear inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near.” These lads may just be using this forum to try and deceive their opponents and good on them - rugby is war.
On another note anyone wanting to watch the Waverly vs Cranbrook with me on the weekend are more than welcome to. I usually perch myself on the roof of the grandstand down at Queens Park with my sons. We bring spare deck chairs and I make some mean tucker which I’m willing to share so just come on up.
GR out