Can we get a predicted team for every school next season?
Prediction Waverley College 1st XV 2020
1: Reeve Smith
2: Darcy Sullivan
3: Peter Cassimatis
4: Miles Amatesero
5: Matt Chapman
6: Davy Moale
7: Charlie Baker
8: Ethan King
9: Hugh Johnson
10: Emmanuel Di-Bartolommeo
11: Jordan Swan
12: Ronald Volkman
13: Asololei Fretton
14: Mitch Eylse
15: Ethan Flanagan
I feel a few eyebrows being raised as the read this list , so I will point out why I have predicted this team to start the season off.
1: Front row has been selected on form , strength and rugby experience. Smith is a current NSW rep in the U16 1st team and has really come on this year and I am sure with a good preseason he will be a front runner. A very good scrum technician and good hands when he runs with the ball. Having made his 1st XV debut at Bank West I expect to see him in the double V in 2020.
Sullivan is in my opinion the best line out thrower in the CAS. He was unlucky not to play rep rugby this year but is not far off. His game management is excellent and is your genuine 4th back rower. Also got game time in the double V this season.
Cassimatis is a machine very physical and very good on defence. Probably deserves the bolter tag in this team but I have seen enough of him over the past 2 seasons to warrant my prediction, along with what I’m hearing in regards to ore season program Cassimatis is well in the mix. There will be genuine back up in Pantano , Dunning , Drevon.
2nd row pretty much speaks for itself. Both NSW reps this year and both can play and it also helps when you are 2 of the tallest players in the CAS. Plenty of 1st XV experience will also cement their spots. They should have a couple of boys hot on their heals in Halohalo and Foley.
Back row is the toughest to pick with unlimited candidates ready and willing. I have predicted Moale , Baker and King on form and experience. Moale and King both NSW reps this year and will continue to improve in 2020. I know there has been some talk of Moale playing in the front row in order to fit Fretton into the back row but if Fretton continues to have issues with concussions then a positional change maybe best for him. Baker will be the 7 in this pack and possibly wear the captains armband. There will be genuine heat put on this group from the likes of Runow , Elder brothers and Kapos.
I have gone for Hugh Johnson at 9 over last years starter Thorn. For me Johnson shows a bit more energy and when given an opportunity has really showed how good he is. His work rate is high and game management excellent. Was a big reason why the 2nd XV had such a dominant undefeated 2019. Thorn still has plenty to offer but also has another 2 seasons at the school and potentially a captain in waiting.
10 , 11 and 12 pick themselves 2-3 years 1st XV experience. Also a fair bit of rep experience amongst them.
Have gone for Fretton at 13. I think with what we saw in 2019 from him was exciting. He is a wrecking ball both on defence and attack and is very quick. I watched him at athletics a few weeks ago and jumped in a 100 mtr heat to make up numbers and killed it.
I think with his past injury concerns the positional change would be good for Fretton and the team.
14 Eyles gets this spot due to his genuine speed and good defence coupled with his game management looking for big things from him in 2020.
Flanagan at 15 this kid is a real talent. A danger with ball in hand and reads a game well. Also a NSW rep in 2019 and is held in high regard in those circles.
Remember this is only my prediction and is only based on 2019 form and experience. End of the day the pre season form will determine how many of these players will be selected come round 1 of CAS.
What I can say is that Waverley are looking like very strong contenders for 2020 / 2021.
