NSW AAGPS 2021

[Rugby Ref]

Did you move over the years to port at half time of Golden Oldies?

No - I made the mistake of becoming a referee...

 

[AroundTheAnkles]

Great assessment, I honestly don’t know why anyone thinks CAS start as firm favourites. The GPS team is built for speed and full of skill. It will be an awesome contest.

Morning gents. Its been a while.

Some thoughts / insights re GPS v CAS not broadly covered.

The Joeys front row, while smaller, have as many (possibly more) NSW (Gen Blue) caps combined from 2019 and 2020 than their CAS counterparts.

McMullen, GPS 10, is no stranger to NSW selectors either, having been selected in the 7s team in 2019, 2020 and 2021.

McMullen does have a great boot as acknowledged by others, but playing conservatively does not come instinctively - his 7s selection a sign he is very creative. Imo, his selection is a reflection of the type of game GPS plan to play, rather than a selectors' statement that he is a better player than Bowen.

In fact, four of the GPS backs were picked in the 2021 NSW 7s side - McMullen, Lancaster, Hemsworth and Jorgensen.

Combined with a very mobile pack, I expect to see a very expansive game aimed at running the bigger CAS forwards off their feet.

GPS 4 to 8, while not particularly tall (ie not 6'6" like CAS) are certainly not small. And all are very aggressive defenders. The physicality in defence from Virw 4,5 and 8 a big factor in their win over Barker.

While I think CAS start favorites, predictions that CAS will win by 20+ points could be a bit misguided.

.

 

[timmymont23]

I said earlier that the selectors were from scots. I think it is evident that they are with the selection of Darby playing 13 over arnott. Darby played 1 game i believe at outside and gets selected in the first side

 

[Armchair Selector]

.presume you meant "aren't that interested". (bit ironic when you're criticising kids for their spelling)

Must be one of the Grammar kids on the forum

 

[Mr Huge]

Great assessment, I honestly don’t know why anyone thinks CAS start as firm favourites. The GPS team is built for speed and full of skill. It will be an awesome contest.

Agree this will be a cracking contest.
I think the sense that CAS start warm favourites comes from the simple adage that you need to earn the right to go wide by going forward first - and that's where the main difference is. The tight five for CAS are very large, very skillful and will keep coming all game. While Barker have conceded points in the second half a couple of times this year (perhaps when their CAS selections were being rested,) Waverly have typically shown more dominance in the second half. The back row for CAS is also more than matched with GPS.
With the forecast for cold and wet night time conditions it's difficult to see how a counter attack based game plan relying on turnover ball and width can succeed - guess we'll know in 36h!

 

[Eyes and Ears]

Is Connor McMullen related to former Scots and Brumbies player, Craig McMullen?

 

[massivehog100]

Has anyone heard anything regarding the omissions of Cummins and Kalokalo? Would be interesting to see whether the murmurs of them prioritising league are true...
Happy Wednesday,
MHOG100

 

[Tap and Go]

Is Connor McMullen related to former Scots and Brumbies player, Craig McMullen?

Eyes and Ears, it definitely would not surprise me if he was. Same school, and obviously both very talented rugby players, but I cannot confirm if he's related or not. Does anyone else happen to know?
T'n'G

 

[Rugby Ref]

Has anyone heard anything regarding the omissions of Cummins and Kalokalo? Would be interesting to see whether the murmurs of them prioritising league are true.
Happy Wednesday,
MHOG100

Both ruled out injured the other day...

 

[shanky]

Hey Ace,

. They've all had much time and resources invested in their development and from what i've seen from following Junior Rugby for a number of years is that when it comes to crunch time the players that the Tahs have invested energy into don't get kicked to the wayside.

Just some food for thought,
MHOG.

And with all respect to (and not including) individual players, this is precisely the general problem

Players getting picked for incumbency, players finding their way through the pathways based on a good showing at younger ages

Carry this onto its logical conclusion and you have Newsome as captain of the Tahs....

(Wait! I know, I know...stop with the fanciful hypotheticals, right?)


About time that we questioned whether our 'pathways' are really giving us what we hope they are.

 

[Rugby Survivor]

Players all develop at different ages and some who were stand out performers in their younger years don't always progress in the opens. I understand there is definitely an element of incumbency and the powers that be need to have open minds when selecting for higher honours.

In terms of pathways whether you agree with the structure or not they are needed. The problem we have is that these schoolboys in pathways are being thrown into Super level of rugby far too early and can not compete hence the very poor showing by NSW.

 

[Bob_Jones]

Eyes and Ears, it definitely would not surprise me if he was. Same school, and obviously both very talented rugby players, but I cannot confirm if he's related or not. Does anyone else happen to know?
T'n'G

Last I heard Craig was still living in France, so perhaps not related??

 

[BrickLayer]

Anyone heard word from the CAS camp on how they are shaping up for tomorrow’s clash? How they are looking to attack us and get the mismatch on the field?

Bricklayer….

 

[WLF]

Anyone heard word from the CAS camp on how they are shaping up for tomorrow’s clash? How they are looking to attack us and get the mismatch on the field?

Bricklayer….

Hi Bricklayer,

Relax the CAS team is not focused on what the GPS team is doing, but we will find out tomorrow night.
The CAS plan is to score more points than the GPS team.
Hope that helps!

 

[AroundTheAnkles]

Game day. It will be cold and wet up at Wahroonga tonight. I predict the pace and skill of the GPS pack will leave CAS with their heads spinning.

 

[Rugby Ref]

Game day. It will be cold and wet up at Wahroonga tonight. I predict the pace and skill of the GPS pack will leave CAS with their heads spinning.

(now dont bite back WLF!)

Is OlderSlower really old and slow? Or is he at school, waiting for the first period bell to ring... (Hmm.)

Anyone who has any idea on rugby, knows that poor weather is the best leveller - tonight's game will be close and hard fought

 

[AroundTheAnkles]

No need to bite back, the score board will do the talking . Weather won’t bother this GPS team, they’re that good.... and we gotta get some decent banter going. This forums has been rather dull since the Joker departed.

(now dont bite back WLF!)

Is OlderSlower really old and slow? Or is he at school, waiting for the first period bell to ring. (Hmm.)

Anyone who has any idea on rugby, knows that poor weather is the best leveller - tonight's game will be close and hard fought

 

[Rugby Ref]

No need to bite back, the score board will do the talking . Weather won’t bother this GPS team, they’re that good.. and we gotta get some decent banter going. This forums has been rather dull since the Joker departed.

Hi OS

Joker is still lurking here, he just cant post... "He is a very naughty boy" - (guess the movie where this came from - if you are not at school..)

I thought my post was banter - my apologies if I offended you (that was not my intent)

I agree that the CAS boys are in for a tough game tonight - I posted on the CAS thread the other day how I think the game will go, check it out and either agree (or disagree)

Cheers

 

[Rugby Ref]

No need to bite back, the score board will do the talking . Weather won’t bother this GPS team, they’re that good.. and we gotta get some decent banter going. This forums has been rather dull since the Joker departed.

btw - I have no skin in tonight's game, my only concern is that the ref appointed lets the lads play so they can show case their skills...

 

[The Grail]

Hi OS

Joker is still lurking here, he just cant post. "He's just been a naughty little boy" - (guess the movie where this came from - if you are not at school..)

I thought my post was banter - my apologies if I offended you (that was not my intent)

I agree that the CAS boys are in for a tough game tonight - I posted on the CAS thread the other day how I think the game will go, check it out and either agree (or disagree)

Cheers

I apologise in advance if people have seen a similar meme for our banned mate, that I generated last time he had a yellow card.

I would be surprised if the GPS boys don't win tonight, however haven't seen Waverley this season....