ISA 2023

[JackJill]

It seems as though the schoolboys have had their annual strike on this thread! On another note, how are the seconds and 16A competitions looking?

We are also 2 weeks away from the start of this year's season! Oakhill and Auggies are seen to be frontrunners, with Pats being just a touch off the pace.
Gregs have shown they are a team with potential with wins over a strong Riverview 2nds side and Trinity.
Stannies began with a rough start to the season with a loss to the GPS powerhouse Scots, but look to steer back on track with wins over Aloys and Sydney Grammar, but the benchmark will be set with their game this week against Cranbrook.
Kinross has had an underrated start I believe, with a blowout win against Sydney Grammar, who was just beaten by Stannies by 3 points, and another thrashing to TAS, a beating from Cranbrook demonstrates they might not quite have the forwards to keep up with the dominant Cranbrook pack.
Pius seems to be in all sorts of strife judging by the comments on this forum.

2 more weeks of trials before the real competition starts.

 

[workingdasnipe]

Pats 26+
Knox 12+
Auggies 3+
Stannies 7+
Kinross 10+
Aloys 8+
Barker 2s 18+

 

[DaSchmooze]

I think that Greg's are shaping up alright. Had trouble over previous years but were ruthless against View 2's in the trial a few weeks ago. Huge contender if Will Stimson continues to perform.

Agree. Their trial form (regardless of opponent) suggests that they're learning how to win and I think this is important as it will help build momentum coming into round 1. If they can knock off Aloys this weekend, then I think everyone needs to sit up straight, tuck your shirts in and take notice of a good team in the making.

 

[DaSchmooze]

Tips for this weekend:

Grammar host Pats - Going to say Pats in a close one. Despite the loss to Barker last week, the second half was quality from Pats and they should take heart that their forwards can do the job.
Knox host Oakhill - Oakhill are having the toughest of trial seasons and I hope these tough matches aren't having a negative impact on their ability to win games. Knox by 10
Waverley host Auggies - Trying to keep up wth the chatter about Waverley and dont know the truth of the matter but suspect that injuries are taking their toll. Queens Park never an easy place to win, but I think Auggies will have too much zing in their backline.
Stannies host Cranbrook - From what Ive seen results wise, I think Cranbrook will take this one. Not by much (it's never easy in Bathurst), but in control.
Kinross host Trinity - Kinross have had a really good trial season so far and to me this will be the barometer of their preparation. Kinross by 15
Gregs host Aloys - Match of the round and again, a barometer of how they are going against what I consider a like for like opponent. Tipping Gregs in an upset
Barker 2nds host Pius - Dont know which way to go with this game. Pius never back down and I suspect Barker 2s wil be a close match up for them. Pius by a hairs breath

 

[Kev Duff Flying Fijians]

Going out to watch Auggies vs Waverley this weekend. Excited to see the well structured and skilled Waverley side take on the undersized and inexperienced Auggies team. Each team have had a great start to the season yet with a few injuries lingering about the Waverley side I think that St Augs will take it home with a 15+ win.

 

[REDCARD!]

Going out to watch Auggies vs Waverley this weekend. Excited to see the well structured and skilled Waverley side take on the undersized and inexperienced Auggies team. Each team have had a great start to the season yet with a few injuries lingering about the Waverley side I think that St Augs will take it home with a 15+ win.

With The Auggies team mostly consisting of undersized year 11's, the Waverly forwards are going to have a field day through the middle of the pitch. Im excited to watch how Sam Blank goes following up on a toe injury. I have Waverly by 10+

 

[Thomas B Rugbyboot]

Tips for this weekend:

Grammar host Pats - Pats have this one. Forwards should produce enough ball for the Pats backline to click into gear.
Knox host Oakhill - Knox to win this one. Injuries at Oaks are killing consistency. 2 debutants again last week.
Waverley host Auggies - Auggies to take this one through consistency of forwards and backs. Waverley forwards are strong. Outside of number 15, their backline lacked game breakers.
Stannies host Cranbrook - From what I've read results wise, I think Cranbrook will take this one. It will be interesting to see how Stannies go at home vs Cranbrook travelling.
Kinross host Trinity - Kinross have this one. Trail results have been promising. Interesting to see how Trinity travel.
Gregs host Aloys - Gregs have this one. Good trial form so far. This will indicate the strength for this year.
Barker 2nds host Pius - Barker 2's were ok this year. Solid forward pack. Reports on Pius's trial form this year should see them win this one.

 

[Silver Back]

Tips for this weekend:

Grammar host Pats - Going to say Pats in a close one. Despite the loss to Barker last week, the second half was quality from Pats and they should take heart that their forwards can do the job.
Knox host Oakhill - Oakhill are having the toughest of trial seasons and I hope these tough matches aren't having a negative impact on their ability to win games. Knox by 10
Waverley host Auggies - Trying to keep up wth the chatter about Waverley and dont know the truth of the matter but suspect that injuries are taking their toll. Queens Park never an easy place to win, but I think Auggies will have too much zing in their backline.
Stannies host Cranbrook - From what Ive seen results wise, I think Cranbrook will take this one. Not by much (it's never easy in Bathurst), but in control.
Kinross host Trinity - Kinross have had a really good trial season so far and to me this will be the barometer of their preparation. Kinross by 15
Gregs host Aloys - Match of the round and again, a barometer of how they are going against what I consider a like for like opponent. Tipping Gregs in an upset
Barker 2nds host Pius - Dont know which way to go with this game. Pius never back down and I suspect Barker 2s wil be a close match up for them. Pius by a hairs breath

Pats First XV are now playing Kings 3rds. Some issues from Grammar (not sure why) means they don't want to play Pats Firsts, so Pats match up with 2nds against Grammar Firsts, Pats 3rds v Grammar 2nds, Pats 4ths v Grammar 3rds all at Weigall, while Pats will play Kings 3rds at 11am at Strathfield.
Grammar only providing one or two teams for Pats to play against in each of the 13s- 16s age groups as well.

 

[Choptackle]

Tips for the weekend:
Knox host oak hill- I believe Knox coming off a string of wins will be too strong for Oakhill especially towards the later stages of the game. Knox+12
Waverly host Augs- It’s always tough to win at queens park however I know waverly have a multitude of injuries which can cause for a lack of consistency within the team. Augs have been strong all season through their dazzling backline which will be too strong for waverly. Augs+10
Kinross host trinity- Kinross have had promising trial results and trinity have been struggling to gain momentum. Kinross in a tight one. Kinross+5
Stannies host cranbrook- Not too much to say about this one I believe cranbrook will be too strong. Cranbrook+7
Greg’s host Aloysius- I believe this will be tight, Greg’s have been promising this trial season aloys have had a couple of close games. Greg’s+3
Barker 2 host pius- Pius have been average at best so far this year and barkers depth throughout the opens is too strong for them. Barker+14

 

[WallabiesTalentScout_23]

Lots of wonderful talent on display these past few weeks, with schools showing their strike force right across the park! Although I try and keep an eye on all ISA teams and players, I find it hard to look past Auggies. However slightly undersized, I think they have shown character in defence. Hardworking forwards like Guttenbeil (skipper), Wilson (who is only 14!!!), and a dynamic paring in the second row (i'm yet to learn their names). Electrifying speed and skill in the backs; with likes of the Berryman cousins (touch football prodigies), Walsh and Blank set the tone in a vicious attacking backline. Overall I can see them going undefeated in the ISA season - although Kinross are my smokey to win the comp also. Just my thoughts so far. I will be paying closer attention to other schools this week.

-Wallabies Talent Scout

 

[therugbyguru74]

Lots of wonderful talent on display these past few weeks, with schools showing their strike force right across the park! Although I try and keep an eye on all ISA teams and players, I find it hard to look past Auggies. However slightly undersized, I think they have shown character in defence. Hardworking forwards like Guttenbeil (skipper), Wilson (who is only 14!!!), and a dynamic paring in the second row (i'm yet to learn their names). Electrifying speed and skill in the backs; with likes of the Berryman cousins (touch football prodigies), Walsh and Blank set the tone in a vicious attacking backline. Overall I can see them going undefeated in the ISA season - although Kinross are my smokey to win the comp also. Just my thoughts so far. I will be paying closer attention to other schools this week.

-Wallabies Talent Scout

kinross got zero depth, i have them for the spoon

 

[DaSchmooze]

Pats First XV are now playing Kings 3rds. Some issues from Grammar (not sure why) means they don't want to play Pats Firsts, so Pats match up with 2nds against Grammar Firsts, Pats 3rds v Grammar 2nds, Pats 4ths v Grammar 3rds all at Weigall, while Pats will play Kings 3rds at 11am at Strathfield.
Grammar only providing one or two teams for Pats to play against in each of the 13s- 16s age groups as well.

That's odd. I can only assume that Grammar's firsts must be carrying a number of injuries for that to be the case. They haven't had the greatest of trial seasons so far with losses to Stannies, Kinross and Aloys. Perhaps an improving Pats doesn't present the same "like for like" opposition that it may have once been for them in years past.

Anyway - best of luck to Pats seconds then for this weekend. i cant recall a time when a Pats 2nds took on another school's 1sts so that will be a great challenge.

EDIT - I note that Kings 3rds have had good wins over Shore 3rds and Scots 3rds so I hope that will also be a good match up for Pats 1sts

 

[Warratahs recruiment2023]

Going out to watch Auggies vs Waverley this weekend. Excited to see the well structured and skilled Waverley side take on the undersized and inexperienced Auggies team. Each team have had a great start to the season yet with a few injuries lingering about the Waverley side I think that St Augs will take it home with a 15+ win.

Undersized and inexperienced and you still beleive saint augs will win 15 +

 

[RatuOfRatu]

How do we think the 5ths competition is shaping up this year?

I heard that the Oakhill side has been looking good...

 

[JackJill]

Tips for the weekend:
Knox host oak hill- I believe Knox coming off a string of wins will be too strong for Oakhill especially towards the later stages of the game. Knox+12
Waverly host Augs- It’s always tough to win at queens park however I know waverly have a multitude of injuries which can cause for a lack of consistency within the team. Augs have been strong all season through their dazzling backline which will be too strong for waverly. Augs+10
Kinross host trinity- Kinross have had promising trial results and trinity have been struggling to gain momentum. Kinross in a tight one. Kinross+5
Stannies host cranbrook- Not too much to say about this one I believe cranbrook will be too strong. Cranbrook+7
Greg’s host Aloysius- I believe this will be tight, Greg’s have been promising this trial season aloys have had a couple of close games. Greg’s+3
Barker 2 host pius- Pius have been average at best so far this year and barkers depth throughout the opens is too strong for them. Barker+14

Tips for this weekend
Knox 14+
Waverley +3
Kinross+3
Cranbrook+5
Gregs +3
Barker 2 +7

Honestly, a very tight round with the only confident winner I have would be Knox over Oakhill, (can see Oakhill showing up and beating them although) all these games could go either way.

 

[Choptackle]

Tips for this weekend
Knox 14+
Waverley +3
Kinross+3
Cranbrook+5
Gregs +3
Barker 2 +7

Honestly, a very tight round with the only confident winner I have would be Knox over Oakhill, (can see Oakhill showing up and beating them although) all these games could go either way.

I agree. Many games could go either way. I’m interested to see the waverly pick over augs even with the amount of injuries they have? Why do you think that? But yes it should be a very close game either way. I agree with all other picks however.

 

[JackJill]

I agree. Many games could go either way. I’m interested to see the waverly pick over augs even with the amount of injuries they have? Why do you think that? But yes it should be a very close game either way. I agree with all other picks however.

Waverley has 4 returning players this round (2 key forwards and 2 consistent backs) I predict this scoreline as Oakhill only beat Waverley by 3 without these players.

They need their forwards to match Waverley's big and solid pack. The same could be said for Oakhill when they take on Knox's substantially larger pack this week.

I can definitely Auggies vs Waverley going either way, but Waverely would be itching to get a win this week and demonstrate they are still a top 3 CAS side and aren't done for the season because of their injuries. Many are backing Auggies this round which only leaves the Waverley boys more eager to win.

 

[Choptackle]

Waverley has 4 returning players this round (2 key forwards and 2 consistent backs) I predict this scoreline as Oakhill only beat Waverley by 3 without these players.

They need their forwards to match Waverley's big and solid pack. The same could be said for Oakhill when they take on Knox's substantially larger pack this week.

I can definitely Auggies vs Waverley going either way, but Waverely would be itching to get a win this week and demonstrate they are still a top 3 CAS side and aren't done for the season because of their injuries. Many are backing Auggies this round which only leaves the Waverley boys more eager to win.

Fair enough. I wasn’t aware of the waverly players returning, apologies, I’m still backing augs however due to their extensive amount of trial games with only 1 loss to that strong Knox outfit. However it’s a very hard place to win at queens park easily could go either way. Will be a good battle.

 

[Rudderless]

Any update on the St Pats 1sts v Kings 3rds ?

 

[DaSchmooze]

Any update on the St Pats 1sts v Kings 3rds ?

Nope but I did see Grammar 1sts easily accounted for Pats 2nds. Could be a hard day for the Pats Opens teams today