NSW AAGPS 2025

[Bob_Jones]

They had a lot of their best players on the bench for most of the game and one who didn't play at all.

The U15 Reds didn't look that strong when I saw them play a few weeks ago. They won, but only just and against a side full of reserve players.

The selectors really need to pay attention to that age group over the next 12 months to make sure they get the team right, and just as importantly they need to actively engage with some of the league players to make sure they want to play for the Waratahs. I know one young fella, an absolute super star in the making, felt it wasn't worth playing. A big call, but he would have been best on field if he played.

My observation on the NSW team was that there was an overemphasis on selecting backrowers based on their ball running ability. Many of the backrowers displayed very strong ball running capabilities at Camden and hence stood out to the casual observer. However picking all them in 1 team, when many of those players have obvious deficiencies at set pieces isn't viable at this next level. eg. In game 1, the starting no.8 clearly didn't know how to pack into a scrum. He simply leaned on the back of the scrum like a league scrum.

The other interesting observation re the backs is the idea of do you select talented players regardless or position or at this level do you need to start to consider position specific selections. At one stage, the NSW team had 3 players (all who are very very good) on the field who all play 10 for club / rep (playing 10,12,15) and another 3 (again, who are all very good) who all play 15 for club / rep (playing 11,13,14).

 

[Here for the advice]

Great to see in the backs they are picking the players they believe have the talent. You would hope at 15 or 14years old an outside back is not pigeon holed at only a fullback or a certain side winger. Speed, offloads at pace and one on one defence can see any 15 cover 11/13/14. (AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) or Kellaway) I would also expect the clubs have some of their best ball players and game managers at 10 vs other club players at their disposal. NZ has long called 12 second five eight so to have a ball player at 12 is helpful especially if you have 3 running back rowers to link with. Plenty of talented players have developed into their positions over time.

 

[Mule]

One trend that has been prevalent of late, starts early and has huge implications in the future tho; rep selectors picking kids who haven’t/don’t want to play front row in the hope they can be “coached up” and will grow….

 

[OleMan]

I somewhat agree with you on the backrowers, it's all well and good to have a couple of ball runners but there needs to be workhorses in the pack 'doing their shitters' which was lacking, and in my opinion is lacking all the way up to the Wallabies. I blame league .
They did have a 7 who was 'Mr Everywhere' very quick around the paddock, but unfortunately just ineffective.
In my opinion Cooper from Bathurst showed he was the best all round backrower.

I can remember who was the starting 8, but I do agree there were a lot of quality players, playing out of position, which could have been why the #8 didn't know how to pack in. Unless it was the big fella Cordell, then yes I agree 100%.

Wilson, Finn & Payton are all quality 10's and great footballers who deserved to be there, but as you said they all cant play 10 at the same time so where do you play them and who do you leave out.
Cant remember if Charlie played #12 or #13,
who unfortunately I think is playing union for a bit of extra training and is destined for league.
Asher was a standout on the wing. Julian had a very quiet game and I've seen him play much better than he did against the Reds. Not sure why Isaac wasnt playing, another quality fullback. I know he had a broken nose but he played the first game with it broken.
For me the biggest omission was a young bloke called Bailey Logue, who in my opinion is the best full back in the comp. The sad thing is he was selected to play in the Next Gen comp but decided not play. Not sure why but this young bloke needs a huge sales pitch on Union because you can bet the NRL is on the phone to him every week.

There were only 3 players that stood out to me, Isaac at #9 was superb, Wilson at #10 and Asher on the wing.

 

[Wicked Left Foot]

When is the team announced?

From what I understand, players were advised on Wednesday, but I’m not sure when or where a team will be announced. Would love to see the team though if anyone has any info.

 

[Greg Kern]

Evening everyone, Here from the QLD GPS Rugby forum. With the ongoing debate on what competition produces the best footy palyers. Who of youw ould be in support of a potential winner of GPS vs AAGPS fixture? Could be a neutral venue? Although so schools from states would host great cross over matches e.g. Ross Oval at Nudgee College. Thoughts?

 

[The Chairman]

ALERT

Please do not use subtle mentions to rugby while discussing rowing results. This is a...

a. Rugby forum
b. This is a AAGPS RUGBY thread.

View attachment 20756

Loud and clear Joker i'll steer away from the hammer....

 

[Rudderless]

I believe the squad’s focus is on this tournament next month in NZ.

Showcasing the world's best Sevens rugby youth talent on a global stage in 2024!​

The Global Youth Sevens (est. 2016) is an international u18 boys and girls sevens rugby tournament with 57 boys and girls teams from across the globe competing in 2024. The tournament offers opportunities for New Zealand and internationally based U18 national representative sides, composite sides and academies to participate.

Auckland Tournament Dec 15-17, 2023 | Global Youth Sevens

The Global Youth Sevens is an international U18 Sevens rugby tournament for boys and girls, played at Dilworth School, Epsom, Auckland.

www.globalyouthsevens.rugby

 

[twister29]

One trend that has been prevalent of late, starts early and has huge implications in the future tho; rep selectors picking kids who haven’t/don’t want to play front row in the hope they can be “coached up” and will grow….

Dependence on the coaching staff over player ability. Unfortunately I see this as a major fallibility of team development in recent years that heavily influences the tournamental climate...

 

[fortheloveofthegame]

How many schools have started preseason? Clearly, at this premature stage, Joeys and Kings start as favourites, View as dark horses. What are the secret weapons for each school? Who will the selection bolters be? Thought it would be nice to turn attention back to AAGPS rugby rather than trivial U15 selection drama (coz that’s never happened before).

 

[Squidlips]

Schools can preseason all they want before Christmas. The reality is the boys are going to have 4 weeks off over Christmas which will disrupt any gains made over the next couple of weeks.

Interestingly the clubs are reaching out to the boys to do sessions with them over the school holiday period. Maybe that happens every year and I didn't know.

 

[RugbyBot]

Lots of kids have Harold Matthews / SG Ball as well over summer which will keep them in tip-top shape.

 

[fortheloveofthegame]

That happens every year

 

[Viewglazer990]

Any information on the NSW kids playing summer 7's? Any team lists or selections that anyone knows about.

- View Glazer

 

[RemainingInTheGame]

SJRU Spring 7s Boys Finals are this weekend.

Not sure there would be a huge amount of GPS kids playing (especially in the older age groups).

 

[footinbothcamps]

the u15s have named a waratahs u15 7s extended squad, i believe they are coming together this weekend

 

[viewboyclan]

does anyone have any information on the infamous harry beckett from joeys? heard he is a real hotshot for 1st XV GPS halfback over grover. thoughts?

 

[Agent]

My thoughts.... you have just over a week to go until holidays and I'm sure your parents (and everyone else on here) would appreciate if you knuckled down until school is finished, and spare us the silly speculating comments!

 

[viewboyclan]

sorry mate, i don't know what you're on about but i am just speaking the word of mouth going around the GPS

 

[Boshman_Journalism]

Absolute schoolboy tomfoolery. Beyond the obvious and preposterous glazing of Harry Beckett—about which I’ve already penned a detailed article outlining why Xavier Ryan is the undeniable frontrunner—this ridiculous mucking about reaches new heights with your laughable claim. Suggesting that the greatest and most "sigma" player ever to grace Riverview's hallowed swamp since Jack Dempsey wears cerise and blue? Utter nonsense. Honestly, mate, give your head a wobble and sort it out.

What’s next in your little circus of hot takes? Calling "The Rizzler" the 2025 season’s Five-Eight for Joeys while Big Justice valiantly leads out Newington, stacking dubs like he’s farming XP in Bronze lobbies? The brain rot comments is astronomical. Let’s aim for fewer NPC-tier claims and more critical thought next time, yeah?

All fun and games, enjoy the rest of term.

Signing out, Boshman_Journalism