Speaking to a Waverley dad on Saturday and during our conversation he mentioned that half of the 1st XV play rugby league at representative level so what’s the difference???IMO Waverley played smart rugby.
Barker have 5 or 6 players who play rugby league at representative level and look at the way they play. They absolutely demolished Newington in a trial game in 2021.
Joeys and Scots have 3 or 4 or maybe more players who play rugby league at representative level and look at the way they play rugby union.
So what’s the difference between the league boys playing rugby for Newington compared to the other schools???
Hi L2S, As a Waves dad whose remaining boy at school plays league on Sunday with these 1ts XV Waves boys here's a few observations, which I am sure may attract some comments. I might add I was an old Wave school player so burn me if you feel the need, it's all fun here.
Playing league as an addition to school Rugby on a Sat, then playing league on a Sunday has it's benefits/short comings, IMO.
Here we go...
Benefits : League boys learn to tackle better, particularly 1 on 1 and head on.
They also learn to find the try line when getting near the line.
Downfalls : BUT league boys tend to HOG THE BALL, it's mine. mine, and ALL mine, until they are about to hit the ground then they look to pass.
They get into the habit of the "groovey" backhand flick pass when grabbed, ala Roosters Joey Manu (who can do it but school boy
accuracy is almost zero).
A lot of Rugby school boys play league these days for $contract reasons, and others just for the fun of it, whether we like it or not.
We lose most to league because the ARU is hopeless, just can't blame families who need the opportunity!
Study hard I say, and have a long term career option whatever that may be , as very few make it big.
But for the vast majority, and I think most will agree, Schoolboy Rugby is the best rugby, and passion, you will see, and the most rewarding rugby the boys will play.