National U16 and U19 match discussion.

[Prodigy]

Anyone know when the merit sides are announced?

 

[drewprint]

Just Bowen. And Teddy Wilson off the bench.

JB got man of the match but the judge overlook some unsportsmanlike conduct (x2) for a guy as experienced as him that really should rule out that sort of recognition. I hope he get that out of his game because unnecessary and make him look like the goose.

I only caught bits and pieces of the match. What happened?

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Here's a very hot take... and I can't believe I am saying this as a former critic myself... But Tom Morrison? Could he be this age group's best fly-half? Always thought it was Bowen, but Mason looked to be slightly better than him today... But not as good as Tom Morrison. This Tah's team was chalk and cheese when Morrison is steering them around and not Bowen. They look far more dynamic, always testing the defence, and I love the way he takes on the line and is a genuine threat to run the ball. Think Bowen has the superior kicking game in general play however.

It is a hot take but I love it because it means there are a bunch of talented young play makers. I would say to this point that in the Oceania champs I thought Bowen looked better than Gordon (I know Bowen started v Fiji and Gordon Argentina & NZ)

Loved this competition for the U16s & U19s. Invaluable experience to up the standards for NSW & QLD boys against each other and for the Rebels and Force players to show their worth. I'm not ignoring the ACT with that. I think they played to the expected level with a smaller local talent pool punching way above weight.

With the growth of the NRLW I wouldn't mind seeing this being brought in for the Girls in exactly the same structure. Rugby will inevitably lose players to the NRLW and that's ok, but a comp like this would strengthen Womens club rugby and eventually the Wallaroos.

 

[Joe King]

In the interview with u16 Tahs captain after the game, he couldn’t contain how much he loved the experience and the fun of of the competition and travelling together with his team. That alone does a lot to keep kids in the game.

 

[qwerty51]

None of that is unique to rugby however.

 

[Members Section]

Brad Fittler’s son joins Blues camp as next gen of NSW stars revealed

Brad Fittler’s son joins Blues camp as next gen of NSW stars revealed

www.foxsports.com.au

Had a quick look at the nsw squad & there is not that much of a cross over of players from the tahs

 

[Prodigy]

Brad Fittler’s son joins Blues camp as next gen of NSW stars revealed

Brad Fittler’s son joins Blues camp as next gen of NSW stars revealed

www.foxsports.com.au

Had a quick look at the nsw squad & there is not that much of a cross over of players from the tahs

5 of the boys. All high quality backs!

 

[Members Section]

5 of the boys. All high quality backs!

I actually thought it might have been more than half the squad

 

[Joe King]

None of that is unique to rugby however.

True, but good to see it happening at that level in rugby also.

 

[RedOrDead]

When is this merit squad being announced?

 

[RedOrDead]

This is all I can find so far.

 

[Slim 293]

2023 U20 Junior Wallabies Train-on Squad ​

Reds

Floyd Aubrey (GPS)

Charlie Wigan (UQ)

Dylan Loader (Bond University)

Harrison Usher (Bond University)

Harry McLaughlin-Phillips (Souths Rugby Club)

John Bryant (Souths Rugby Club)

Lachlan Shaw (UQ)

Max Craig (Easts Rugby Club)

Nick Baker (GPS)

Nick Bloomfield (Easts Rugby Club)

Sam Farrar (Easts Rugby Club)

Taj Annan (Easts Rugby Club)

Tim Ryan (Brothers)

Willem Johnstone (Souths Rugby Club)

Brumbies

Austin Anderson (Wests)

Massimo De Lutis (Wests)

Henry Palmer (Tuggeranong)

Klayton Thorn (Gungahlin)

Liam Bowron (Royals)

Lachlan Hooper (Tuggeranong)

Force

Marley Pearce (Wests Scarborough)

Jhy Legg (Wests Scarborough)

Ned Slack-Smith (Palmyra)

Dane Sawers (Kalamunda)

Ryan McGloin (Joondalup Brothers)

Waratahs

Jamie Clark (Sydney Uni)

Oscar Hicks (Sydney Uni)

Clem Haloholo (Sydney Uni)

Teddy Wilson (Eastern Suburbs)

Max Jorgensen (TBC)

Tom Morrison (Sydney Uni)

Jaydon Viliamu (Randwick)

Jack Bowen (Eastern Suburbs)

Archie Saunders (Warringah)

Henry O'Donnell (Sydney Uni)

Charlie Worthington (Randwick)

Jackson Ropata (Southern Districts)

Darby Lancaster (Eastern Suburbs)

Rebels

Patrick Levamai (Melbourne Harlequins/Wests Bulldogs)

Max Johnson (Wests Bulldogs)

Daniel Maeva (Wyndham Rhinos)

Antonio Masina (Melbourne Unicorns/UQ)

Leafi Talataina (Endeavour Hills)

Mason Gordon (Wests Bulldogs)

David Vaihu (Wests Bulldogs)

Lebron Naea (Endeavour Hills/Wests Bulldogs)

Divad Palu (Wyndham Rhinos)

Zac Hough (Wests Bulldogs)

Junior Wallabies confirm 2023 train-on squad

The Junior Wallabies have confirmed a 48-player wider train-on squad as they start preparations for the return of the World Rugby U20 Championship.

www.rugby.com.au

 

[Slim 293]

Interesting...

Lachlan Hooper (Tom Hooper's brother) is now listed for the Brumbies?

 

[Brumby Runner]

Godfrey and Scmidt probably unlucky to miss out from the Brumbies. Godfrey had a strong tournament at No 8 and second row. Schmidt was very composed at 10 and has a massive boot, but just too many other good No 10s around, I suppose - Morrison, Bowen and Mason come to mind.

 

[RedOrDead]

Interesting...

Lachlan Hooper (Tom Hooper's brother) is now listed for the Brumbies?

It was confirmed he signed there a month or so ago.

 

[RedOrDead]

Thought Albert Alcock (hooker) from Waratahs was hard done by. Mobile hookers with good ball skills, who hit like a ton of bricks, and a threat around the breakdown. Exactly the type of player we need to develop. Also genuinely thought he was the best hooker in the comp when on the field. Think that was a mistake… not the first time we’ve seen a mistake from the rugby in Australia and certainly not the last.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Can't say I noticed Alcock, but very pleased to see Marley Pearce from WA in the squad. I thought he was the pick of all the hookers.

 

[Prodigy]

Thought Albert Alcock (hooker) from Waratahs was hard done by. Mobile props with good ball skills, who hit like a ton of bricks, and a threat around the breakdown. Exactly the type of player we need to develop. Also genuinely thought he was the best hooker in the comp when on the field. Think that was a mistake… not the first time we’ve seen a mistake from the rugby in Australia and certainly not the last.

Agree. His work
In the final
Was oustatnding

 

[RedOrDead]

Can't say I noticed Alcock, but very pleased to see Marley Pearce from WA in the squad. I thought he was the pick of all the hookers.

Don’t think his game translates to the next level. Is more successful due to his size, and will not translate to the fast game at the next level. Alcock is extremely skilled in general play, very strong scrummager, and about as mobile as you could ever want a hooker to be. He really got hard done by.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Your opinion only ROD. I reckon he (Pearce) showed plenty of dash in his games. Are we actually missing the light on his feet, light on the scales Lachlan Lonergan type hooker at senior levels, or the big brute, belligerent but talented hooker like Malcolm Marx?