The Cleaner
Fred Wood (13)
Agree - I sympathize with the Joey's kid but watching the replay again and again it was not a deliberate hit from Scots #8 in my opinion.
NSW AAGPS 2025 (banter and commentary)
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The Cleaner
Fred Wood (13)
That can work, I can't wait to see where they put him. I prefer him at 6 but I'm not the coach. I don't think he has the height for a 2nd rower. Although, now at this level he can play 2nd rower.
Backintheolddays
Charlie Fox (21)
The other two probably bend the line better but he has a far higher work rate around the paddock and (I think) smarts. Doesn’t really matter at this stage but I prefer him as a 6/8 to make it at the elite level.
Backintheolddays
Charlie Fox (21)
Don’t know that I’d be defending that tackle, regardless of card or intent. It was late, high, and no arms. And the winger got knocked out cold.
Here for the advice
Herbert Moran (7)
Let’s hope they replace the injured with some of the larger bodies in 2s - as the Kings pack will have a field day otherwise. After losing a second rower they have been running four back rowers really who don’t break the line consistently and don’t have great ball skills to be the best link options - if you have a smaller pack they need to make the ball do the work and be faster to run the others ragged. On the sub par form - they have given a few a run and then another run - and they are not up to it this year so let them play 2/3’s and get them ready for 2026, if don’t have the speed or defence or patience - let them develop in 2/3’s. Think a few over reaches and remember only a few Year 11’s played in 1s last year and two have been injured most of the season and one has maybe three yellow cards (maybe two in comp games). Kings will be formidable.
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Mungo1866
Herbert Moran (7)
Yep, it deserved a red far more than the Riverview five eights hit.
High, late, no wrap and no mitigation
I’m not really sure the aim of rugby is to hurt the other guy, dominate yes but hurt no. Not sure I’ve ever heard anyone I admire in rugby say they went out to hurt the opposition
The Observer
Frank Nicholson (4)
Who are these larger bodies you speak of?
The Observer
Frank Nicholson (4)
It was the view flyhalfs second indiscretion after a previous yellow, has to be a mandatory red card
corporalcutball
Bob McCowan (2)
It was a yellow then a straight red, not 2 yellows.
Superscrummer
Frank Row (1)
Riverview is looking different this week, with notices for temporary road closures for the roads surrounding the college. Fences are also starting to assemble outside the harrowed "Swamp". Boarders can be seen up at Lane Cove with Rugby Balls in hand and talking strategy for their games on the weekend. No doubt I'll be hearing warcries echo down the street on Friday, and it wouldn't surprise me if the boarders end up doing a second warcry practice Friday night (As they have become so accustomed to do before big games ). I'm looking forward to the game this weekend. It's great to finally have it back at Riverview, and it should be a game for the ages.
Jakeburner65
Herbert Moran (7)
No and no. Wildly off-base.
Scrum_scouter
Frank Row (1)
Fonua is clearly the best option to play second row considering he’s played 4 in both aus 18 team that featured Lemoto at 8 and he played this position as a yr10 in the undefeated kings team
LoseHeadLarry
Bob McCowan (2)
Not sure if the goal of rugby is to hurt opposition players. He may not of meant to knock him out but he did so of course it will be looked at.
The Cleaner
Fred Wood (13)
He's a workhorse so regardless of position they put him at now He will deliver. I am only thinking long term, I don't think he will have the height of a 2nd rower. He's a backrow IMO, but who knows he might grow to 2m come next year. The New 2nd rower Kupu is taller than Fonua. Regardless, Fonua just need to be in the team.
Here for the advice
Herbert Moran (7)
Your right they don’t have the numbers of big bodies like 2024 / but with injuries these three below from the 2XV need to be considered for adding to set piece structure and open field both 4,8 off plenty / (3 does not add much other than a pick and drive but hey sometimes that simple set up is needed):
3. Cowdery
4. Shadforth
8. Murdoch-Tilmouth
In the backs as well would love to see the size lost with Dalmeida missing
13. Hawke
14. Bremmner
Also returning from injury would not expect to start in ones with one exception 10. Bassingthwaighte. In the past few weeks they have started some who clearly were not up to the teams they came back to and should come out via time in 3’s or 2’s depending.
let’s see what the coaches do !
fortheloveofthegame
Herbert Moran (7)
Putting aside that the tackle was late and there was no attempt to wrap the arms, there was zero chance that contact was ever going to be anything other than shoulder to head. It was a shoulder charge (illegal in itself) and direct contact to the head (straight red card). No mitigation at all, the player doesn’t slip, it just appears that way because he had his head taken off. In a professional setting that action receives a multi week suspension (and it should). the Scots team list this week will be an interesting read.
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His workload at 2nd row is lower than when @8, if it's about height due to lineouts think it comes down to combination with #2 and execution.
twister29
Ward Prentice (10)
I don't think there will be any action taken, especially on a school level due to the player value.
Watching the replay, the ball left the hands of the Joeys player 1 second before the hit, and at that point the Scots boy had 2 feet planted on the ground. Even though it was just a second, he shifted his weight and went for the shot all in that time, he had time to flop and soften the blow. I agree that he wasn't trying to injure the Joe boy or hit him head high, but I believe he purposefully engaged in a late shot (nothing wrong with that usually, its just football).
The Ghost of Raelene
Phil Kearns (64)
Fair points and I thought whilst at Schools level it was the time to shift positions as now you are asking a professional organisation to sponsor a a move that may result in nothing. His best bet is to back the skill set in. Some guys do end up limited by genetics like Hugh Roach. All the ability in the world but once in the pros just too small to stay in the elite comps.
We'll see with Marshall but it is an impressive effort to go straight into SS 1st Grade and perform against men. Most others get at least a year of Colts under the belt.
fortheloveofthegame
Herbert Moran (7)
i’ve been saying he is a 9 since he was 14 or 15. i’ve told him that directly.