NSW AAGPS 2024

[sundayeightpm]

What changes need to happen with schoolboy rugby to improve Rugby Australia as a whole?

I may not be answering your question how you wanted...but my view is that sport in this country (and many developed economies) is mostly about attention economics. For example, the sport that gets the most attention, drives the most interest, and therefore, increases participation etc. Simplistically, athletes are in the industry of content production. Therefore, I wonder if you are asking the question in the right order. My view is 'what can be done at the Rugby Australia level to fix schoolboy footy'. Wallabies and Super Rugby teams need to win more and get more attention, this will drive participation and interest and therefore, improve the national body/teams. I understand there is a view that the issues with the top start at the bottom...i.e. grassroots, participation etc...but maybe we are looking at this the wrong way? Make the state and national teams a more attractive proposition and many of our issues might (over time) go away?

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

It's the other way around. Rugby in Australia lives off the success of the Wallabies and it always has.

The Schools standard is excellent and on par internationally given our resource pool. We don't maintain it though from 18-21 and get destroyed recruiting wise from league and other countries now in Rugby. Schools can only do what they currently are IMO.

 

[TheGPSBloke]

Perhaps an improvement in grades and colts footy your suggesting then?

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Yep. That tier doesn't take a player to the required level for the Professional game. You can go down a huge rabbit hole from funding to Australian geography and the sheer cost it would be to run a 3rd tier akin to the ITM Cup but this is the rung of the ladder we don't have.

 

[OldFatSlow]

We need better competition. I liken it to Super Rugby during Covid when it was just the Aussie teams playing against each other. The rugby was great, the games were close and everyone thought how great Super Rugby was in Australia....until the Kiwis were let back into the country and we the Aussie teams started getting flogged again. Same with GPS Rugby, it's all great playing between themselves, but if they started playing better teams from an early age the skill level would get much better by the time they're anywhere near Super Rugby Level. For this to happen the nepotism in junior rugby needs to stop in schools, clubs & representative rugby and the best teams (and players) need to play against each other.

 

[sterlingmortlocksgloves]

Bring back the Waratah shield

 

[Cockatoo Run]

Why do so many keep thinking GPS and/or Private School rugby is such a big part of the problem. The sad reality is that it is the only thing left standing.

 

[CasualObserver]

GPS schools were rolling out 4th and 5th XVs 30+ years. The same would happen again.

 

[PPC]

I think the death of rugby at government schools has led to a steep decline in rugby in the country

 

[OleMan]

I don't think school boy rugby is the problem, I actually think it should be embraced, expanded, improved and turned into the solution.

What I think will help the Waratahs and Wallabies is more of GPS/CAS/ISA cross over like we saw over the past fortnight. The U16 GPS I vs ISA I final at St Gregs is a perfect example, the best players playing against each other.

 

[Mule]

Tonights/Sundays games should be great! https://nswrugbytv.com.au/under-16-waratahs-academy-invitational/

 

[Maul of Duty]

Any updated list of the u18 PONI squad? I thought that is was being announced/released today?

 

[The Soaring Eagle]

Who is in the Waratahs u16 Side from GPS? Just curious, cheers.

 

[Albi]

Why do so many keep thinking GPS and/or Private School rugby is such a big part of the problem. The sad reality is that it is the only thing left standing.

….and I wonder how much longer are full fee paying parents going to be happy supporting the 1st grade private school rugby comps….with extra cost of living pressures and greater scrutiny on gov funding of private schools. The vast majority of these players end up playing league or look for overseas opportunities after school, so what’s the point to all this! Is it just about school boy glory and school marketing brochures! If support stopped, the GPS rugby comp would be very uneven and average.

 

[The Soaring Eagle]

The tuition price increase at practically all GPS schools in the past 20 years, has been astronomical. There could be a reason for these major increases, but I haven’t really seen any evidence or information on it. But anyways, as long as GPS rugby stays strong and tough, I’m happy.
Open to opinions, Cheers.

 

[Rudderless]

Newington College is excited to announce the appointment of Mr Ben Herring as our Director of Rugby. He’ll lead our inspiring and inclusive rugby program across the whole College, from Wyvern and Lindfield Prep through to the Senior School.

Previously Head Coach of Toyota Verblitz in Japan.

Herring played professionally from 2001 to 2009 in both New Zealand and England before his retirement through concussion. Herring was a reliable openside flanker and turnover specialist

 

[Rudderless]

U16
NSW Schools 2 20
SJRU 12

NSW Schools 1 29
Country 7

 

[Mule]

Reverse fixtures on Sunday should be compelling viewing!

 

[Squidlips]

Country took it up to NSW Schools I in the first 20 mins of the first half.

 

[Mule]

Schools 1 started quite a lot of their reserves?