NSW JRU State Championships & Representative Teams 2013

[Monty Python]

Good to see the heritage of some of these lads. Of particular note are the ones who played in the NSW U18s schools trials last month and missed out on further schools selection.

1. Lochie Adair, West Harbour (2012: NZ)
2. William Cronin, Manly (2012: BB)
3. Connor Davidson, Manly (2013: ISA II, 2012: NSW Schools)
4. Austin Black, West Harbour (2012: WZ, Syd 16s)
5. Scott Williams, Manly
6. Rohan Zebib, Eastwood (2013: AICES, 2012: WZ)
7. Mitchell Caldwell, Eastwood
8. Declan Moore, Manly (2013: ISA I, 2012: BB, NSW Schools)
9. Josh Lynch, Eastwood (2012: WZ)
10. Ben Crerar, Manly (2013: CHS II, 2012: SZ, NSW Schools)
11. Nico Fiapuleniko, Eastwood (2013: CCC, 2012: WZ, Syd 16s)
12. Ben Fontaine, Warringah (2013: ISA II)
13. Lachlan Burland, Eastwood (2012: WZ, Syd 16s)
14. Harrison Lowe, Manly
15. Thomas Hall, Eastwood
16. Nareg Nazarian, Eastwood
17. Robert Hill, Warringah
18. Nick Newman, Manly
19. Tully Macpherson, Penrith
20. Scott Moran, Manly
21. Andrew Davies, Warringah
22. Joshua Martin, Penrith
23. Lucas Price, Warringah

5 more CHS boys selected into the Combined States team for the ASRU Aust Schools Champs next week at Riverview College - great work boys and congratulations to:
- Adrian Delore - Whitebridge HS
- Ed Craig - Epping BHS
- Harry Lind - Merewether HS
- Blake Walsh - Merewether HS
- Peter Ivic - Hunter SHS
(Source: http://austschools.rugbynet.com.au/default.asp?id=201688)[/quote]

This quote from National Champs thread.

Anyone know what happened to Ed Craig re selection into the Sydney team? He was selected from CHS I into the Combined States team for the National Championships, and was playing for Eastwood reps at St Luke's, but seems to have missed out on selection in Sydney. Would have thought he'd be a shoe in as either hooker or flanker. Is he injured?

 

[rugby convert]

This quote from National Champs thread.

Anyone know what happened to Ed Craig re selection into the Sydney team? He was selected from CHS I into the Combined States team for the National Championships, and was playing for Eastwood reps at St Luke's, but seems to have missed out on selection in Sydney. Would have thought he'd be a shoe in aseither hooker or flanker. Is he injured?[/quote

Don't know about Ed, but I was at the West Harbour v Parra games
yesterday & watched Sydney u-17 half back play 3rd grade colts who was ordinary in usual 3rd grade standard
Then watched a discarded half back play 1st grade colts & have a
very outstanding game
I don't know what the selectors look at !

 

[Hugh Jarse]

This quote from National Champs thread.

Anyone know what happened to Ed Craig re selection into the Sydney team? He was selected from CHS I into the Combined States team for the National Championships, and was playing for Eastwood reps at St Luke's, but seems to have missed out on selection in Sydney. Would have thought he'd be a shoe in as either hooker or flanker. Is he injured?

As a Monty Python tragic, please allow me to welcome you to Gaggerland. I hope you can live up to your user name.

Clearly you are expecting to see a level playing field. I'll let you into some secrets based on what has happened with the Under 17's this year.
Form at the State Championships at St Lukes counts for nothing.
You don't even have to be bothered to turn up to State Championships to get special consideration for this team.
Poor team and individual performance at St Lukes does not prevent nomination for a second tilt at getting into the team.
The ability to turn up to extra trials and training opportunities seems to be more important characteristic than rugby skills.
The ability to get to far flung Sydney locations at afternoon peak commuter times, on days when representative kids have other commitments seems to be highly desirable.

Turning to the boy in question, I think he has fallen foul of the policy "if you don't turn up to the final trial, you don't play". Apparently he was in Camp for the National Schoolboy Competition on the day of the final trial, and therefore not considered for selection. Clearly his commitment to the team was insufficient. Fancy thinking that a chance to get selected for Aust Schoolboys was more important than a chance for Sydney U17's. Now if he was playing for Southern Districts, then it may be a different story.

I have seen the lad play several times for Eastwood and CHS during recent Schoolboy trials. He has his champions on the NSW Schools thread about his play as a #2 but for CHS I thought he played more like a Loose Forward that has been shanghaied into the front row, than an out and out #2. This is not such a bad thing given the Under 19 Laws that these games are played under seem to encourage more loose forward play. At State Champs, Eastwood would be disappointed with their overall performance. The only game I saw involving Eastwood, Craig was solid but not outstanding.
With only 6 Metro teams playing, and 2 complete front rows needed at rep level, you would have to fancy your chances of being selected as one of the two #2's in the eventual squad.

Rep selectors frequently favour boys who can play more than one position, because on game day this gives them additional flexibility for their bench. On that basis with Craig who was a #6 for Eastwood U16 in 2012 IIRC, you would have to think that the Selectors would have looked favourably on him.

One thing I have learned over the years if , never try to second guess a Selector or Selection panel. They have special talents that us mere mortals do not have.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Don't know about Ed, but I was at the West Harbour v Parra games
yesterday & watched Sydney u-17 half back play 3rd grade colts who was ordinary in usual 3rd grade standard
Then watched a discarded half back play 1st grade colts & have a
very outstanding game
I don't know what the selectors look at !

Confused:

I realise that one of the players you refer to is Sowden (West Harbour 1st Grade Colts). One would think that he would be worthy of a jumper at U17 level.
The team lists for the 3rd grade Colts Parra v West Harbour http://www.nswrugby.com.au/NSWRugby...d/DrawsResults/3rdGradeColtsDrawsResults.aspx have:
Daniel Ryan as the #9 for Pirates, and Tuterangiwhiu GRANT-CAIRNS as #9 for the Two Blues.
Neither of these are in the list above for Sydney U17s.

This leads into an interesting observation. How many boys are playing SJRU Junior rugby and how many are playing SRU Premiership Club Colts footy.
The Programme from State champs lists 3 Eastwood boys as playing Colts. Sowden for Wests is listed as Wests JRU whereas he is obviously playing Colts. Several of the Manly boys have appeared on Manly Colts playing lists on the Shute Shield web site.
Segue into my hobby horse. The Juniors U16 - Opens model is broken with many of the better kids being forced to go to colts because there is no local team, or the standard of coaching and play in the local junior village club team is deemed inadequate and to be challenged, the boys have to migrate to Colts early.
Time to revamp the Juniors.

 

[Monty Python]

...
Turning to the boy in question, I think he has fallen foul of the policy "if you don't turn up to the final trial, you don't play". Apparently he was in Camp for the National Schoolboy Competition on the day of the final trial, and therefore not considered for selection. Clearly his commitment to the team was insufficient. Fancy thinking that a chance to get selected for Aust Schoolboys was more important than a chance for Sydney U17's. Now if he was playing for Southern Districts, then it may be a different story.

I have seen the lad play several times for Eastwood and CHS during recent Schoolboy trials. He has his champions on the NSW Schools thread about his play as a #2 but for CHS I thought he played more like a Loose Forward that has been shanghaied into the front row, than an out and out #2. This is not such a bad thing given the Under 19 Laws that these games are played under seem to encourage more loose forward play. At State Champs, Eastwood would be disappointed with their overall performance. The only game I saw involving Eastwood, Craig was solid but not outstanding.

With only 6 Metro teams playing, and 2 complete front rows needed at rep level, you would have to fancy your chances of being selected as one of the two #2's in the eventual squad.

Rep selectors frequently favour boys who can play more than one position, because on game day this gives them additional flexibility for their bench. On that basis with Craig who was a #6 for Eastwood U16 in 2012 IIRC, you would have to think that the Selectors would have looked favourably on him.

Thanks for the info Mr Jarse. I don't mind admitting I'm a bit of a fan, as I've been involved with his Hillview village club and seen him play for some years. Captained their side to something 4 or 5 grand finals since under 10s and runner up performances every other year.

He has played 6 or 7 most of the time, but also prop and hooker at school in recent years, due to filling a need I believe. So your guess re hooker is pretty right I think. However, as you say, a hooker who can back up at flanker must be pretty useful I would have thought. I've heard a couple of comments about his body shape, but doesn't seem to affect his play in that position. Strong as an ox and loves his footy.

If what you say is true, just seems a little strange not to select him due to unavailability due to overlaps with rugby commitments. Does anyone know what the Sydney team has ahead of them in terms of matches - country I presume. Anything else, and when are they on?

 

[Sideline Eye]

... On that basis with Craig who was a #6 for Eastwood U16 in 2012 IIRC, you would have to think that the Selectors would have looked favourably on him....

... 'scuse my ignorance, but what's "IIRC" stand for in GAGRland parlance?

 

[runningrugby66]

Can anyone fill us in on the story behind the victorious Manly 17s
I heard it was a "face book invitation" team driven by a hand full of players. Is there more to the story than this or is it exaggerated

Sorry champ, just a gun team with mental toughness and respect, no ball bag like behavior from such woodies like you

 

[Non Political]

Thanks for the info Mr Jarse. I don't mind admitting I'm a bit of a fan, as I've been involved with his Hillview village club and seen him play for some years. Captained their side to something 4 or 5 grand finals since under 10s and runner up performances every other year.

He has played 6 or 7 most of the time, but also prop and hooker at school in recent years, due to filling a need I believe. So your guess re hooker is pretty right I think. However, as you say, a hooker who can back up at flanker must be pretty useful I would have thought. I've heard a couple of comments about his body shape, but doesn't seem to affect his play in that position. Strong as an ox and loves his footy.

If what you say is true, just seems a little strange not to select him due to unavailability due to overlaps with rugby commitments. Does anyone know what the Sydney team has ahead of them in terms of matches - country I presume. Anything else, and when are they on?

I agree Ed Caig is a class act. He was asked to play for Sydney(as a shadow player) against Oakhill First XV last Tuesday even though he was unable to trial due to CS commitments. Funny enough he was the best of the forwards for Sydney. Oakhill game was interesting as another player that was left out of the squad played for Oakhill and proved to the selectors that they should have picked him as he tore them apart, even though Oakhill lost. Heard rumours that he had a point to prove through the grapevine and was eager to see if he was up to it, he was. As the threads keep saying cream will rise to the top, so if Ed or these other boys don't get an official call up, there time will come.

 

[runningrugby66]

Facebook story about MMM U17 could be true. They only had a bench of 3 players, and it looked like a Colts player was their coach.

The coach was intact approached to take the reigns of the NSW u17s side this year, he respectfully declined due to his training for the 2016 Olympics.

 

[runningrugby66]

I agree Ed Caig is a class act. He was asked to play for Sydney(as a shadow player) against Oakhill First XV last Tuesday even though he was unable to trial due to CS commitments. Funny enough he was the best of the forwards for Sydney. Oakhill game was interesting as another player that was left out of the squad played for Oakhill and proved to the selectors that they should have picked him as he tore them apart, even though Oakhill lost. Heard rumours that he had a point to prove through the grapevine and was eager to see if he was up to it, he was. As the threads keep saying cream will rise to the top, so if Ed or these other boys don't get an official call up, there time will come.

Best forward? Have you seen Declan Moore play?

 

[2bluesfan]

. 'scuse my ignorance, but what's "IIRC" stand for in GAGRland parlance?

"If I recall correctly". Not just GAGR, pretty much internet-wide.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Sorry champ, just a gun team with mental toughness and respect, no ball bag like behavior from such woodies like you

Think you will find that Wood Rat is "aligned" with the Rats more than the Woodies, as it relates to junior footy.

Have you read Rule #9 (for Scoolboys thread) or Rule #10 for the main thread? They are one and the same.

I would recommend that you read them otherwise your stay here may be brief.

 

[Inside Shoulder]

. 'scuse my ignorance, but what's "IIRC" stand for in GAGRland parlance?

If I Recall Correctly - its implied in most posts!!

 

[Sideline Eye]

... Does anyone know what the Sydney team has ahead of them in terms of matches - country I presume. Anything else, and when are they on?

Sydney v Country games are on Sunday July 28th, according to the SJRU website: http://www.nswjuniors.rugbynet.com.au/default.asp?id=201775
and pasted below for easy reference.

Not idea if there are any other fixtures planned, but suspect not, given the note below indicates the SJRU NSW U15s and 17s teams will be announced on the day.

 

[Sideline Eye]

Does anyone know what the Sydney team has ahead of them in terms of matches - country I presume. Anything else, and when are they on?

Also seems there have been some other games, presumably trials, in the lead up to the country game, but I can't see other games listed anywhere as 'official' matches ...

.... play for Sydney ... against Oakhill First XV last Tuesday ...

 

[Hugh Jarse]

I am surprised that the qualification ethicacy credentials have not been discussed of the Gordon U12 team in these blogs.

As most of the other teams formed a tunnel for the team playing against Gordon it brought sweet joy to their faces when Gordon was subsequently beaten.

It appears this large District is not content on having more feeder village clubs (8) than any other District or Rep team in the competition but also resorts to:
- importing players from 'out of District' came from Rockdale, Central Coast, Hurstville and Chain Valley Bay (Lake Macquarie)
- players who also been moved/poached to Lindfield from Wahroonga, Chatswood, and 3 from Hornsby
- apparently some of these players get around the SJRU "2 import rule" as they are from 'other' comps ie Sat comp and Country Comp
- 'paid' players to join them in the form of IGA food vouchers
- required players to participate in a private fee based coaching clinics (run by and proceeds go to the team's convenor) in summer with the threat of not participating may jeopardise their District rep selection
- weight management program instigated by the convenor of the team
- the convenor/instigator of all this has a son in the team
- of the 23 players in the squad 13 played for the same club team last year (= 10 have moved this year)!

It appears that there is enough evidence here to ask some questions to Lindfield and Gordon Presidents notwithstanding the competition organisers.

1. Is this what we want for U12 boys?
2. Is this the way to behave from the largest District (most players and clubs) in the State?
3. What is being done about the perpetrators?

Did you ever get a response to the questions you posed @George Smith?

 

[George Smith]

Did you ever get a response to the questions you posed @George Smith?

no response received. maybe Gordon were guilty and hiding? then I wouldn't expect and answer from the President, Andrew Dainton on such matters as his club, Chatswood have been guilty of similar actions in the past.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Thanks @George Smith. Didn't think much would be done. Some clever wordsmiths would have found that there was no technical breach of the rules. Moral courage and honour seem to be in short supply. Winning is everything, Fair play the casualty.

Sounds a little like another one of my hobby horses, the inaction over the Coogee vs Sylvania U16 brawl in Season 2012.

IMHO the precarious nature of Australian Rugby demands that we need decisive leaders running the SJRU committee, not wishy washy politically correct decision avoiding administrators.

The junior club game is shrinking in Sydney, despite what the ARU annual report figures are showing.