NSW AAGPS 2022

[crazy schoolboy]

The AAGPS School Holidays rugby camp guide....as requested by Older Slower

WARNING- The is called humor.

Edition 1.
The Scots College

View attachment 14104​

After rising at 8am to the sounds of a Louis XV Special harp and the cultured sopranos from Kambala girls choir, the Scots boys gather on the ocean side porch to dine on fresh fruits, pancakes and specialised "milkshakes" all the way from the former USSR sports labs, now working for the Chinese Olympic team. Soon after their obligatory injections to help with the "muscle flabbiness" the boys all gather in the hyperbaric chamber for pilate stretching, interpretive dance and hot nude yoga. A light lunch of oysters, lobster, Fairy bread sandwiches (with suspiciously large large oval shaped pills) washed down with Chateau de Fuqup (look it up) makes way for the afternoon drill session. After a short helicopter ride, the boys arrive on the back lawns of the Frank Lowy estate. Here the boys must be careful to not disturb the pink flamingos and peacocks which stroll around the manicured grounds. Afterwards, they enjoy a quick communal shower in the waterfalls of Perputual smugness. Cocktails are then consumed and dinner is served all the while wearing their latest Italian black tie that mummy bought after her latest jaunt to Rome with her tennis coach. Dishes such as roast baby fur seal, rack of Siberian tiger and casserole rhino are all washed down with "Uncle Mings" special feel good "juice". For afters, it is off to the lounge to smoke cigars and to congratulate themselves on how incredibly awesome they are. Soon the bedtime gong is rung by the captured Cranbrook boy and it is off to bed, being dressed of course in the silk pajamas daddy gave them. As they lay on the Sferra Capri Honey Egyptian Cotton Sateen sheets covered in a Scooms Hungarian goose down duvet the boys dream of world domination as Uncle Camembert told them so.

Rare peak at the Scots dining room.

View attachment 14103

Now that joker is just great chat!!

 

[Tony_weave531]

Anyone know how Cummins went yesterday?

 

[Old High Boy]

As a former staff member at the Death Star, my employment was helped by two facts.

1. I was a AAGPS Old Boy so I "got" the whole masculine education ethos.
2. I could coach rugby,

This really drove the staff acquisitions for years and the school was able to have well educated in rugby verse staff able to coach every team. Plenty of Old Boys on staff plus the occasional AAGPS old boy (I was the first Joeys Old Boy on staff) The 1st XV was coached by a Geography teacher, Science teacher and Metal Technology teacher. No premierships since the crime of 1993, but they tried and it was "worthy of their forefathers" Then....the changes came.

HR was soon outsourced by the management to a more modern system and the staff soon reflected the "diversity" of society and not the culture of the Death Star. Early female staff employed could coach rugby but soon the College employed staff with extensive knowledge of lesbian dance theory, netball and interpretative Pilates. The result was the number of staff coaching rugby dropped dramatically. Only some older souls like myself continued. In my final year at The College I was the only staff member within my age group of five teams. The other teams were coached by hired gun from some sports coaching company. These were young people, with little understanding of the students and most never learned much (including names) about their charges. Results plummeted and the senior team suffered.

Then the College embarked on finding top quality 1st XV coaches (and players.....and that is all I will say) who could teach a bit but pay them above the award wage so they can spend more time solving defensive patterns rather than solving algebra problems. The emphasis was placed upon ONE team.

I left during the era of M. Blackburn who once told me, "you must coach your team to play this style. If they lose, I don't care but I need your players in 3 years who can play MY style." After losing the first 5 games under HIS style, I eventually gave up and played the style that worked for me with the cattle I had and we won our final four games including beating Joeys. I was given a proper chewing out at season end when he found out I had ignored his orders. That was my cue to exit the College and find kinder, more enlightened pastures elsewhere.

I used to referee alot during the Blackburn/ Cleverley reign, and they were always respectful of all refs who turned up at B.Hill - regardless of which game you had.

I am sure we have passed each other when you were down there J - was Mr N. Guyatt working then too?

 

[Joker]

I am sure we have passed each other when you were down there J - was Mr N. Guyatt working then too?

He was. A lovely man who was very supportive. I taught both his boys.

 

[Joker]

I used to referee alot during the Blackburn/ Cleverley reign, and they were always respectful of all refs who turned up at B.Hill - regardless of which game you had.

Not always. I saw/heard Cleverly make sexist comments once when a woman was refereeing a game.

 

[Joker]

The AAGPS School Holidays rugby camp guide.

WARNING- This is called humor.

Edition 3.
Newington College

After being woken with smack to the face by Auntie Takaniko, the Newington boys swing from their hammocks and file down to the communal eating place. The majority of the team enjoy a stack of Tongan Toast (Bananas, sourdough and cinnamon sugar) with lamb belly, corned beef and honey glazed bacon for breakfast. The “smaller” of Newington team sit in the far corner eating Eliopsomo, Spanakopita and Pita Bread with Eggs just like yia-yia used to make back on Syros. Stretching soon follows as the boys learn that reaching one’s toes is not compulsory but an aspirational goal. Some lads are surprised they even have toes. Running and squatting drills take place. This normally takes place in the side streets around the College such as North Street which have a wonderful assortment of late model cars to steal hub caps and badges from. This is here we see the legendary Newington teamwork as one boy levers the cap away, passes it along the line till it is deposited in the back of Uncle Leon’s 1972 Holden SS sedan for later “disposal”. After a light lunch of Ota’ika, Lu Sipi and of course some Lu Pulu (with cheese & ham sandwich for the “smaller” boys), the Newington lads engage some team bonding exercises, most popular being taking the kalia out on the harbour for a paddle and to pillage of unlocked yachts. Dinner is a highlight of the day and the Newington boys don’t hold back at the traditional meal of roast pig, yams, corned beef, lamb, chicken and something in a bowl that is green but better not chance it. Those who are still hungry will make their way to Petersham to buy up big the Portuguese chicken burgers from Silvas. Prayers are then sung by Fahu, which is the captains father’s oldest sister, and it is off to sleep.

Dinner is served.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

How good is game week knowing it's all back on the line. Relieved to know that no major injuries have occurred through Rep footy as far as I am aware?.... apologise if incorrect

Rae Rae

 

[Joker]

For those who are in the official tipping competition, I need winner and points spread.
If you win and are within the 5 point margin you receive 5 points.
Draws are worth 1.

You have until midnight on 22 July to get your tips in.

No tips? Then you are given the away team with a point spread of 12.

Here is next round. (team on the left is the home team)

 

[Joker]

For those who wish to see the scoreboard from after the rep rounds

 

[Old High Boy]

How good is game week knowing it's all back on the line. Relieved to know that no major injuries have occurred through Rep footy as far as I am aware?.... apologise if incorrect

Rae Rae

So true - its great to see the regular comp back in vogue now seeing the rep stuff has (mostly) come and gone.

But after checking out the BOM outlook for the rest of this week just now, I am hoping they can at least get on the field this weekend..

 

[Old High Boy]

Not always. I saw/heard Cleverly make sexist comments once when a woman was refereeing a game.

Thats disappointing - while he has always been quite frank and opinionated, my experiences have been that he has always upheld the ethos of the game and the sport in general...

 

[Joker]

Thats disappointing - while he has always been quite frank and opinionated, my experiences have been that he has always upheld the ethos of the game and the sport in general...

That was my experience of him as well. Being a Kiwi he thought he knew everything. My gripe was that he would inject himself into team training sessions when uninvited.

 

[wyvernboy]

Hi Joker

Having played on SJC 1 before, I know it holds up well in the rain however, do you think Joeys will play any differently if it's raining ( big chance ) and do you think either side may have the advantage ?
IMO, I think the team that still throws the ball and uses their backline strike power will go a long way in winning the game. New may bash and barge a bit more if wet, but should spread it when they get the chance.

Wyvernboy

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

I know you addressed Joker in this but if it was me coaching the Cerise & Blue you continue to back your players to play they way that has got them picked. You might at times promote them to play some field position but play like you have trained.

I've seen Joeys twice this year and they seem a team that will win games by scoring and not defending. Oppositions will be given the chances to score tries on Joeys but they have plenty of ability to score them back. What opposition can put a good enough wall up....

Rae Rae

 

[wyvernboy]

Hi Rae Rae

Agree. Joeys have lots of attacking options and should continue to take them. It's up to the opposition's defensive structure to stop them. Was pretty happy with New's defence against an ok Scots backline which did not throw a lot at them. If New defend well, they have points in them as well. Just think Joeys may go side to side a little ( ala Kings 2020 ) and if they make handling errors in the wet, may let New get some advantage. Would like to see New straighten their attack and go forward early in their phases. Then use the forward power to get over the add line. Once they have Joeys going backwards ( easier said than done ) then spin it wide for Takuamo, McGregor, McLean etc.
Can't wait.

Wyvernboy

 

[Old High Boy]

That was my experience of him as well. Being a Kiwi he thought he knew everything.

LOL - yep, thats our Clev..

My gripe was that he would inject himself into team training sessions when uninvited.

And a legitimate concern as well; I hope you sent him (or anyone else interjecting) packing...

 

[Old High Boy]

Hi Joker

Having played on SJC 1 before, I know it holds up well in the rain however, do you think Joeys will play any differently if it's raining ( big chance ) and do you think either side may have the advantage ?
IMO, I think the team that still throws the ball and uses their backline strike power will go a long way in winning the game. New may bash and barge a bit more if wet, but should spread it when they get the chance.

Wyvernboy

I will respond back to you WB, I have seen the Joeys 1st XV machine up close for some time now.

First and foremost, all Joeys teams appear to be very fit - with the 1st XV the fittest.

Their game plan is to move the ball wide from the breakdown, usually 2-3 passes wide, and at speed. Rumble upwards with gusto to make the (usually) larger opposition forwards tire quickly. When the Joeys 10 sees a tactical advantage, the ball goes out wide to the talented and quick backs.

This is how they wear down, and eventually tear apart, opposition teams; they are relentless, and they play at sustained pace to keep the ball away from the opposition forwards. Its effective and it works - and a joy to watch too

I'd say their typical game plan will still be quite useful in the wet this weekend - probably more forward runs than usual. Kicking for field position and territory - especially with the wind - will surely come into it. However they do love the ball-in-hand style.

I remember a few seasons back, I had done 2nds, and was running the line for 1s, and saw first hand the Joeys coaching staff encouraging vigorously their forwards to "maintain the intensity". As I have said, they do this well and relentlessly...

 

[Joker]

This is how they wear down, and eventually tear apart, opposition teams; they are relentless,

This has been the key since 1928 when a small Marist Brother arrived at Joeys. The recipe was simple then as it is now.

1. Be fitter than your opposition. If they are larger, use it against them as they will tire and not be able to react to your quick feet.
2. RUN THE BALL. An attacking game based on space and pace. Run at gaps and not at players.
3. Tackle in wild dog packs. Hunt the enemy, don't defend against them.
4. Stop only at the bell.

 

[Joker]

Meanwhile at Hunters Hill

 

[Old High Boy]

The recipe was simple then as it is now.

3. Tackle in wild dog packs. Hunt the enemy, don't defend against them.

This too (which I missed) is prevalent with Joeys

They are all skilled (as a group) at bringing the ball carrier down, and then jackaling that ball ASAP.

Like wild dogs bringing down that steer! (photo please J...)