The Shore v Barker game has been confirmed as a curtain-raiser for the Waratahs v Reds at Allianz Stadium. Friday, 9 May. Last time this was done was 2021? (Knox v Joeys?)
Just to confirm, I would be correct in saying this is the 2nd week of trials, so for the schools it would be 2nd week of Term 2?
Normally in this week/trial fixture Shore plays Knox and has done so for many consecutive years, and back when AAGPS was a single 5 round comp (instead of double 10 round that it is now), Shore would play Barker at a later trial fixture further into Term 2, but since GPS schools only have 2 weeks of trials now Shore no longer plays Barker, but Shore still plays Knox as they slot in that trial fixture just before round 1 of the GPS season.
Shore hasn't played Barker since 2021, however Shore 1sts opted out that year, mainly because the week prior Barker eminently beat Joeys at Hunters Hill, which during those years, the 'dark days' of Shore rugby, that would have inferred that shore would then be thrashed to a greater extent by Barker then they would be by Joeys, which during that period a blowout by Joeys happened annually each time Shore faced them in the GPS season, which the decision to forfeit against Barker was also likely reinforced by the apparent trauma from 2018 and 2019 of Shore vs Barker - which I was in attendance at both of those thrashings. I add, I believe that decision was also reinforced by the rumours of how heavily imported Barkers team was that year and how allegedly 13 of their 1st XV played NSW schoolboys, but that was likely another copout excuse that was likely just false, however there may be some truth in it, to an extent (but that's a conversation for another time).
Although, from memory Barker still got a game in that week and I believe played against Eastwood Colts.
However I did not agree with this decision by Shore at all, as I don't think at all it was in the spirit of the game, nor did I think Shore would have gotten mauled over as they would have speculated, as Riverview beat Barker that year by a couple points, and Shore lost to Riverview in round 1 of the GPS (final game to be played that year before covid) 36-12, which is a dominant display by Riverview, but not a thrashing, hence a similar score line, that is not so one-sided like years prior, likely would have eventuated if Shore 1sts played Barker 1sts that year
Does anybody have info on GPS vs CAS trials this year? Would that mean then if Shore plays Barker in trial fixture 2, that Shore does not play Knox this year, or has it been moved to trial fixture 1, which I think would be unlikely as Joeys plays Knox in that 1st trial week and has done so consistently for many years.
And the last time I know of that a curtain raiser was done for the Waratah's was Shore vs St Augustine's at Leichardt oval in 2022, which was the 1st trial fixture of that year, which was the same exact week as the Knox vs Joeys Tahs curtain raiser, just a year later, which makes sense. That 2022 curtain raiser Shore won 82-0 (just goes to show how things can change so drastically, to which that rugby program has).
Looking forward to this Barker vs Shore game then, as last year Shore 16A's played Barker in the Northern Territory as part of the Deadly Rugby program, which Shore 16A's won comfortably, although still a competitive match, and likely a rematch for many of those players then. I speculate it will be a great day of rugby considering we're getting a fixture that hasn't happened for many years, and then following that we can finally watch a Tahs team that is in good form and on track to win super rugby (I hope).
Also, GPS schools don't really ever get to play Friday night games, something I'm sure they're jealous of from the CAS competition. Will likely be a good crowd from both schools heading there straight from school, but will look miniscule in that stadium compared to the stands of their home grounds.
Anyway, enough of my spiel, anyone got info on GPS vs CAS trial games this year, even the ones that happen before term 2 in those holidays or late term 2 as more-so training fixtures. Cheers.
