NSW AAGPS Rugby 2014

[aka_the_think]

Riverview also has a trial against Waverley which I neglected to mention. Just a heads up, the school has advised all senior players (opens - 1sts, 2nds, and 3rds), and *I suppose* by extension all students to avoid posting/checking Green and Gold.
Seeing as I am in none of those 3 teams, nor shall I ever be, I shall continue to post as I see fit.
Anyone got any crystal ball guesses for the GPS 1sts side?
At the moment I can think of a few individuals who would surely be up there - Angus Creighton - Scots, Hutchinson - Riverview, Woodhill - Shore, Fotukava - Riverview, Porter - Scots, Freeman - Riverview, Bowditch - Riverview, Taylor Deer - Scots, Finnane - Joeys, James Kane - Kings.

 

[NewMacca]

Riverview also has a trial against Waverley which I neglected to mention. Just a heads up, the school has advised all senior players (opens - 1sts, 2nds, and 3rds), and *I suppose* by extension all students to avoid posting/checking Green and Gold.
Seeing as I am in none of those 3 teams, nor shall I ever be, I shall continue to post as I see fit.
Anyone got any crystal ball guesses for the GPS 1sts side?
At the moment I can think of a few individuals who would surely be up there - Angus Creighton - Scots, Hutchinson - Riverview, Woodhill - Shore, Fotukava - Riverview, Porter - Scots, Freeman - Riverview, Bowditch - Riverview, Taylor Deer - Scots, Finnane - Joeys, James Kane - Kings.

It's odd that you haven't mentioned any Newington boys, especially since there is a returning Australian schoolboy, a returning NSW 1s hooker and a returning Combined States winger.

 

[aka_the_think]

I'm glad you mentioned them then.

I was merely initiating discussion - I am by no means the sole arbiter of good and bad players.

Please, enlighten the rest of us with the details of these players, as your intentionally ambiguous description of these players doesn't help us to gain an understanding of their ability.

For the record, I have heard a rumour that Vunipola Fifita isn't returning this year. I would love to be in error though - he is a great player, and will surely bolster the strength of the GPS side and beyond.

I don't think that having a returning Australian schoolboy will help Newington out that much - one need only look at Riverview in 2012 and Joeys in 2013 to realise that an abundance of Australian schoolboys doesn't help too much.

 

[NewMacca]

I'm glad you mentioned them then.

I was merely initiating discussion - I am by no means the sole arbiter of good and bad players.

Please, enlighten the rest of us with the details of these players, as your intentionally ambiguous description of these players doesn't help us to gain an understanding of their ability.

For the record, I have heard a rumour that Vunipola Fifita isn't returning this year. I would love to be in error though - he is a great player, and will surely bolster the strength of the GPS side and beyond.

I don't think that having a returning Australian schoolboy will help Newington out that much - one need only look at Riverview in 2012 and Joeys in 2013 to realise that an abundance of Australian schoolboys doesn't help too much.

Sorry aka_the_think, my bad.

From what I have heard I do believe Vunipola Fifita will be returning, though I may be corrected on that. I also believe NSW 1's reserve hooker Matt Serhon will be returning as he is doing pathways and will contend with Fotukava for the GPS 1's hooker spot again this year, which I believe Serhon held last year, though correct me if I am wrong again. Simon Kennewell is the Combined States winger I mentioned and he was certainly very strong last year finishing off and also creating tries in a star-studded backline. Though a move to outsidecentre or fullback could be on the cards with the departure of Moeroa and Milne.

And you are right with an abundance of schoolboys doesn't help too much. another example is Kings in 2010. I was just throwing some more names into the debate.

NM

 

[Michael Walker]

i see that riverview play two canberra sides in st.edmunds and marist in trial games... just out of curiosity, would riverview play a full strength side if they have the option to or would they rest some main players?

 

[Brainstrust]

i see that riverview play two canberra sides in st.edmunds and marist in trial games. just out of curiosity, would riverview play a full strength side if they have the option to or would they rest some main players?

Depending on the dates of those trials I would say that the GPS athletes will either not play or if they it would only be limited time on the field. That would mean possibly 5 or 6 would be out. I think that would be the case for all the schools that have 1sts players doing aths.

 

[aka_the_think]

Sorry aka_the_think, my bad.

From what I have heard I do believe Vunipola Fifita will be returning, though I may be corrected on that. I also believe NSW 1's reserve hooker Matt Serhon will be returning as he is doing pathways and will contend with Fotukava for the GPS 1's hooker spot again this year, which I believe Serhon held last year, though correct me if I am wrong again. Simon Kennewell is the Combined States winger I mentioned and he was certainly very strong last year finishing off and also creating tries in a star-studded backline. Though a move to outsidecentre or fullback could be on the cards with the departure of Moeroa and Milne.

And you are right with an abundance of schoolboys doesn't help too much. another example is Kings in 2010. I was just throwing some more names into the debate.

NM

No worries mate - it will be an interesting battle between Serhorn and Fotukava, but one would have to think Fotukava's selection in Australia A last year positions him well for higher representative honours - great to see depth though.
Kennewell is a fantastic player, I think he will be a standout for Newington this year, although I can't see him making GPS 1s this year - he will be back next year though, and I definitely see him as a future star of Australian Schools Rugby.
Fifita is basically an automatic pick if he is indeed returning - let's hope so.

i see that riverview play two canberra sides in st.edmunds and marist in trial games. just out of curiosity, would riverview play a full strength side if they have the option to or would they rest some main players?

It's likely that a few players might be absent, but last year Riverview fielded relatively full-strength sides for their trials, to the chagrin of the Athletic's master. However, it has been made clear by the MiC of rugby that these games will be treated as genuine trials with lots of rotations going on, so 3rds players could be playing up in the 1sts.

 

[lineoutjumper]

does anyone have any ideas for the shore 1st and 2nd XV

 

[Ted S]

I think Toby Rudolf from Scots will be a big chance of rep honors this year. Had he been in the firsts more at the start of last year he should have been picked.
He is a hell of a lot tougher and stronger than some of the more favoured schoolboy forwards out there. Including some "stars" in his own side.

 

[beserker]

does anyone have any ideas for the shore 1st and 2nd XV

Keep listening to their old boys

 

[random2]

does anyone have any ideas for the shore 1st and 2nd XV

They will be competitive, in fact if the Clancy twins chose to do pathways (which they didnt) I would have tipped them to win the comp. Standouts include flanker Jum Woodhill who would be one of the first picked for rep honours, backrower Paddy Olver, second rower Nathan Lucas halfback Harry Emery who is another genuine rep chance and centre Charlie King. Typical of Shore they will be tough to beat and could cause an upset or two although I ant see them challenging for the title. This years age group has had a traditionally strong B grade side in a comp which was dominated by Joeys and View but the year below are pretty average so that will hurt them.

 

[Lee Grant]

Is Tim Rapp still Director of Rugby at Newington?

He's been doing some coaching for the Tahs as head coach of their NSW Colts (Under 20s) and their Tahs A side (called "Gen Blue"); so I wonder.

Mind you, the programmes of those two sides are finished by the end of March; so there is probably no reason why he shouldn't still be a DOR.
.

 

[Kendrick Lamar]

Riverview also has a trial against Waverley which I neglected to mention. Just a heads up, the school has advised all senior players (opens - 1sts, 2nds, and 3rds), and *I suppose* by extension all students to avoid posting/checking Green and Gold.
Seeing as I am in none of those 3 teams, nor shall I ever be, I shall continue to post as I see fit.
Anyone got any crystal ball guesses for the GPS 1sts side?
At the moment I can think of a few individuals who would surely be up there - Angus Creighton - Scots, Hutchinson - Riverview, Woodhill - Shore, Fotukava - Riverview, Porter - Scots, Freeman - Riverview, Bowditch - Riverview, Taylor Deer - Scots, Finnane - Joeys, James Kane - Kings.

In reply to this i defiantly think that you have missed a couple players
Newington Simon Kennewell. GPS seconds, Combined states team, NSW under 16's
Riverview Jack Hayson. 1XV best and fairest and 1XV player's player (defiantly worth a mention in rep honours this year)

 

[aka_the_think]

Excellent suggestions, please keep them coming.

 

[footylover101]

Apparently Shore has been told they are playing St Aloysius on the 29th. I assume this will not involve athletes.

 

[Quick Hands]

I understand that there are coaching changes afoot at Joeys. Last year's 2nds coaches will be coaching the 1sts this year.

The first time no Marist Brother coaching 1st XV?

 

[Lindommer]

John Reading coached the Ones some years ago.

 

[beserker]

I believe an ex Wallabies coach took over at Kings last year and made big improvements in the second half of the season. Also an ex Wallaby player is going to New. I wish I had more details.

 

[lineoutjumper]

are there any potential 16's players (16s 2014 that is) playing in the 1st's/2nd's this year? anyone know/heard any news?

 

[NewMacca]

are there any potential 16's players (16s 2014 that is) playing in the 1st's/2nd's this year? anyone know/heard any news?

I believe there are a couple at New who may be able to push some spots, mostly in the backline though.