The CAS Is lads should be congratulated for their improvement since their tepid performance against CHS recently. Their teamwork was a big step up but I don't think that many would have improved their chances of individual NSW selection. Accordingly, I will not mention many of them below
I looked through baldingwingforward's comments on the GPS players and agree with just about all of them.; so I won't duplicate his remarks. (Just as well I fell asleep after dinner when I had finished my 2nd wine.) GPS could do a lot worse than having the bald one as chairman of selectors as he seems to have a better eye than they do.
I'll do an assessment in a NSW selection way then.
• The two Newington bookend props 1. Ezra A and 3. Alan A played better than when I saw them walking around the park in one trial game I saw. For a change they used their bulk to effect. A couple of times CAS had decent mauls going and then one or both of them would align themselves behind the line of force of the maul and stop it cold. You couldn't shift them trying a counter-ruck either.
Both of them are still contenders for NSW spots but we'll have to see how the GPS scrum goes against CHS first. If it's even the NSW selectors will take into account the better mobility of the two CHS Is props.
The prop who took my eye in the game though was the CAS 1. Lawley, who didn't play against CHS; so he was new to me. He'll get a spot in one of the NSW teams IMO.
I don't have any clue as to who the NSW hookers will be as none of the lads on the day put their hands up too high and neither did the ISA or CHS lot on Sunday either.
• 4. Kovacic had his most aggressive game of the season yesterday and he was playing well before that. Was probably the Man of the Match and just as probably nailed a NSW Is spot. I'm not sure who his partner will be but I will be more sure on Friday,
• Most of the 6s and 7s on the day were really 7s, and as 7s none of them looked better than the semi-injured Broome of CHS on Sunday. But Walters played well after being promoted to the GPS Ones, apart from dishing out a head high tackle, and Kennedy of CAS had some good moments too.
6. Dempsey in the GPS Twos was the only flanker with a point of difference: mongrel and skill on attack and defence, and as the bald one said: he should have been in the Ones. They probably won't change the GPS teams but if he gets promoted it will be a good contest with the CHS 6. Calcagno on Friday, and then interesting to compare them with Dombkins of ISA, hopefully more rested then and playing healthy, in an earlier game.
Wells was the best 8 of the day though Baraket in the GPS Twos had some good moments.
• 9. Merriman would have the inside running for the NSW spot based on that performance and as baldy indicated: it was an all round game. He's the best scrummie I've seen this year as only Natioli of ISA comes close, and in an entirely different, quixotic way. It's a pity that these lads won't play against each other on Friday - and Natoli is in the ISA IIs anyway
• NSW will be well served with 10. Vaux and 10. Horowitz. The position has not been one of strength for the state for a while. Both performed well against CAS and Vaux, in particular, played beyond his years in the Ones. They would both be ahead of Debreczeni of CAS and McIntyre of CHS.
• 12. Stewart was the best back of the day. He was Horan-like sometimes with his different skills. He was one of the few backs interested in straightening the line on attack and near the CAS goal line he was always a threat. He gave no change on defence either. Foketi didn't show enough in the Twos. He may get a NSW utility spot but his chance will probably come next year.
I don't know how the selectors of the NSW mid-fielders will decide on their inside centre for the Ones. The direct Stewart, and the ball playing facilitator Purcell of ISA, who played injured on Sunday, are different types. If Stewart can play 13. it could be problem solved but he is a natural 12. IMO.
Strong running 13. Scarano was probably the best of the CAS backs and 13. Jones of the GPS IIs played well after subbing for Roods.
• 11. Roye, as the bald one said, is a power runner, and yes, he bombed a try. He doesn't have the all round attacking skills of Tanginoa of CHS, a shoo-in IMO, but is a contender for the other wing in the NSW Ones. Redden was handy for the GPS Twos also. 14. Kellaway played well for his years in the Ones but needs more seasoning and probably should have been in the Twos.
15. Le Lievre didn't have his best game and wasn't stellar against Scots on Saturday either. His goal kicking was poor and he slipped once and the CAS 13 ran through for a try. He is still probably the front runner for NSW Ones, though it will be interesting on Friday to see the comparison with CHS fullback Gutherson, who rocked against a tired ISA team last Sunday.