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NSW AAGPS 2024

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TheFoundingFather

Stan Wickham (3)

sundayeightpm

Herbert Moran (7)
I can only assume Grover, Bassingthwaighte, Hartman and Makasini are in the PONI squad. Very interesting…
I am actually not too sure about that. We shall see when the mysterious list is finally released. Hartman was already named in the PONI squad earlier in the year. I understand that Masi (Makasini) is already in conversations with various NRL clubs also.
 

KingD

Stan Wickham (3)
Is there an up to date PONI list?
Assume Max Gough has been added to it and so not seen?
Also, I’m sure others from other associations. e.g. Lewis Wilson (Augs/ISA prop), Talaileva (Barker/CAS #8), Taj Smith [Barker/CAS #4), Harrison Dene, not sure but can Sam Nuilala play at this comp or just schoolboys. I’m sure many others.
Have seen Smith play live and his line out jumping on defence at the very front of the lineout (with often only 1 lifter behind him) is unbelievable - springs in his legs!
With CAS lineout problems on their own ball, was very surprised they were hardly throwing to him, could well have changed result.
 
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Maul of Duty

Ward Prentice (10)
Is there an up to date PONI list?
Assume Max Gough has been added to it and so not seen?
Also, I’m sure others from other associations. e.g. Lewis Wilson (Augs/ISA prop), Talaileva (Barker/CAS #8), Taj Smith [Barker/CAS #4), Harrison Dene, not sure but can Sam Nuilala play at this comp or just schoolboys. I’m sure many others.
Have seen Smith play live and his line out jumping on defence at the very front of the lineout (with often only 1 lifter behind him) is unbelievable - springs in his legs!
With CAS lineout problems on their own ball, was very surprised they were hardly throwing to him, could well have changed result.
No update to what was released in March. None of the boys you listed were on that list from what I can see
 

Maul of Duty

Ward Prentice (10)
Gotcha - defo makes even more of a mockery of the PONI concept - several of those players IMO have been surpassed by emerging talent uncovered over this season and the last few days of the Schools trials. Who makes these decisions re: PONI structure etc. Maybe the SOARR group needs to refocus its energy on the whole pathways/ schoolboys rugby administration?
Goes both ways I think. PONI concept acknowledges the early players that have been identified and also allows other players to earn selection in the squad throughout the year. I don’t believe that the current PONI group will be the final team that is selected as form throughout the season will be taken into account. While some PONI players may have been surpassed by others, there are definitely players in the Schools 1 and 2 team that just aren’t at the same level as their PONI counterpart either
 

moa999

Johnnie Wallace (23)
I don't have an issue with the PONI concept. Ultimately it's a talent identification list, and gives them opportunities.

But the lack of consistency year to year and excluding these boys from a mid-season tournament is crazy.

At least last year the Academy sides played each other over the break, with the Schoolboys sides effectively a 3rd 4th side.
This year it's kind of a 2nd 3rd, but the supposed best players are sitting out.
 

sundayeightpm

Herbert Moran (7)
Exactly - but I actually believe this is 'by design'. The ASRU Schools Championships is a tired concept that RA and the State Unions do not fully support. Ultimately, they want the academies (Waratahs, Brumbies, Reds) etc to be the premium product. The very fact that we have an Aus Barbarians team that goes some place on tour, and an U18 and Aus Schoolboys side that Tours or Plays NZ says that these 2 pathways are not aligned. To make a point, using the data available...if I look at the team lists from ASRU Champs played in 2022 (https://schoolsrugby.com.au/boys-team-lists/) and see how many are in the current Aus U20 team who played Georgia last night I get...0.
 

sundayeightpm

Herbert Moran (7)
Here's an idea - based on a theory I have that RA and the State Unions make $0 from Schools Rugby on a day by day, year to year basis (in the long run they profit from the players produced), and hence they have little interest or involvement. If for example the private schools charged the Rugby League who have signed players in the Schools Rugby Program (think - Walsh at St Augs, Woods - St Pats) and RA had a funding arrangement in place (supported by corporates), whereby they match a subsidy that the private schools received from the NRL club...would RA take Schools Rugby more seriously?
 

TriggerBall

Herbert Moran (7)
All comes back to $$ in the bank.
Jersey Flegg and Harold Mats programs can’t currently be matched with the RA close to insolvent.
The idea has merit but funding - eveb with dwindling corporate support - is the elephant in the room
 
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