NSW U16 Trial Games and Selections 2011

[CTPE]

I agree with you Newbie. Canterbury/Uni should not be discounted at all. Heard about the Pirates result and thought it was just down to them (Pirates) having key players out due to schools commitments however I understand that Uni also had players out for the same reason too. Uni had a poor show last year, but to assume they will this year is naive at best. They stand a great chance this year.

Could be a very interesting game at Noon tomorrow Parra v Uni.

Interesting that Pool A is seems so much stronger (Parra, Eastwood, Uni & Gordon) than Pool B -Norths and that's about it yet only 2 from Pool A will be going forward.

Pick of the games tomorrow:

9am: Eastwood v Gordon or Norths v ACT Brumbies
10 am:Have a nap
Noon: Parra v Uni
1 pm: Have another nap

 

[Malcsy]

I wouldn't say that CTPE... the other side has Norths, Warringah, ACT and Hunter. Warringah have been in the semis 3 years in a row although they are weaker this year. Hunter have always been strong and ACT are apparently gun this year, and only lost to Parra last year after leading at H/T. They also beat Uni. Gordon have never featured over the last few years, although this year they look alot stronger on paper, and they do appear to have more undocumented arrivals than Christmas Island... !

 

[bwaddles]

I disagree with CTPE on the the relative strengths of the pools.Act will be one of the best teams from either pool, I think they pushed NSW last year in a game.Norths will to have to play extremely well to get past them .

 

[CTPE]

I wouldn't say that CTPE... the other side has Norths, Warringah, ACT and Hunter. Warringah have been in the semis 3 years in a row although they are weaker this year. Hunter have always been strong and ACT are apparently gun this year, and only lost to Parra last year after leading at H/T. They also beat Uni. Gordon have never featured over the last few years, although this year they look alot stronger on paper, and they do appear to have more undocumented arrivals than Christmas Island... !

Norths are a gun side and are going to get an easy run in their draw. As you say Warringah is nowhere near the strength of previous years and I'm hearing that ACT are actually weakened by quite a number of unavailables due to injuries. Agree that Hunter usually provide a competitive side.

That said Parra, Gordon, Uni and Eastwood are all potential semi finalists when you look at the teams 1 -15 however 2 of them won't progress past the original rounds due to the initial seedings made for the two pools.

 

[Man on the hill]

...After speaking to one of the Canterbury parents at the CCC, AICES and CHS practice games last week I was informed that Canterbury are actually the only club in the Syd Uni district from which Syd Uni draw a team for the State Championship. Pretty sad in my view...

Don't shed too many tears for them - when University were first admitted and started forming rep teams, they knew what they were dealing with; a 1 club district - just like West Harbour! In the formative years they welcomed cast off players from other districts - Easts and Gordon to name a few (& totally within the spirit of the NSWJRU State championships). But then - the distinction between club & district was blurred and outsiders were shunned in a few age groups.

All uni rep sides are listed at - http://canterburyjuniors.rugbynet.com.au/

 

[CTPE]

I disagree with CTPE on the the relative strengths of the pools.Act will be one of the best teams from either pool, I think they pushed NSW last year in a game.Norths will to have to play extremely well to get past them .

Compare the ACT U15's team from last year with the U16 team playing tomorrow and you'll notice the differences.

 

[Malcsy]

That said Parra, Gordon, Uni and Eastwood are all potential semi finalists when you look at the teams 1 -15 however 2 of them won't progress past the original rounds due to the initial seedings made for the two pools.

I would take Hunter and ACT over Eastwood, and would be a pick 'em for both of those vs Uni. Gordon still to be proven. Warringah is basically Newport who are a B grade club side (3rd place) so I would expect will struggle.

 

[CTPE]

I would take Hunter and ACT over Eastwood, and would be a pick 'em for both of those vs Uni. Gordon still to be proven. Warringah is basically Newport who are a B grade club side (3rd place) so I would expect will struggle.

We'll all know a bit more after those mentioned 9 am games.

 

[beaver]

U/16 State Champs, Granville Park

Have been at Granville Park watching U/16's and thought the Two Blues side was a bit ordinary and tipping Hunter to be the dark horse this weekend.

 

[Man on the hill]

More updates from state champs please.

 

[Rugby Tragic]

Two blue played terribly still got up 12- nil against Uni.They will need to play well tomorrow to progress.Hunter played very well.

 

[cold coffee]

I disagree with CTPE on the the relative strengths of the pools.Act will be one of the best teams from either pool, I think they pushed NSW last year in a game.Norths will to have to play extremely well to get past them .

And Norths won that one !

 

[CTPE]

Have been at Granville Park watching U/16's and thought the Two Blues side was a bit ordinary and tipping Hunter to be the dark horse this weekend.

I disagree. I watched the Parra v Uni game expecting that to one of the closer games between the better sides in the championships. Uni competed well in the first half assisted by some helpful refereeing decisions but then Parra's class started to come to the fore and they went on to win comfortably. Very impressed with their forwards who laid a beautiful platform for their backs. Malacki Afele in particular was quite devastaing playing in the second row rather than his usual prop position. Looks to have slimmed down a bit to me and was very involved. Jamo Clarke played fullback and was brilliant in attack constantly probing and linking with the rest of the backs. Cale Angeloni at 10 used the ball his forwards delivered very cleverly. Tepai played played inside centre and as impressive a physical specimen that he is with undoubted athleticism I have to say I was a bit dissappointed in what he delivered given the opportunities he was given. He just seemed content to take the tackle and did not make too many tackle busts. Maybe he is still carrying an injury?

I didn't get to see Norths play but on what I saw with Parra they will be very hard to toss again.

 

[cold coffee]

More updates from state champs please.

In the early game Eastwood vs Gordon .. the Woodies had enough ball to win by a thousand but poor choices cost them dearly. Questions were asked why Cotton didnt play fullback. They will rue this game after the last game is played tomorrow. Gordon look a lot sharper this year and took both chances to score and win the game....

Manly was handed a rugby lesson by the Parra no.2 side this morning....

It would seem that that those that predicted the ACT to dominate Norths were way off the mark... an interesting day ahead Sunday.

Hunter look like a tight outfit however the high points scoring vs Randwick could serve against them if they make the semi.

And yes Parra no.1 side couldnt play any worse.... I would say they will be a different side for game 3..

 

[Newbie]

No Excuses!!!

Two blue played terribly still got up 12- nil against Uni.They will need to play well tomorrow to progress.Hunter played very well.

RT,

I'm sorry but I was obviously watching another game of Rugby, because the game I viewed saw Uni shut down Parra so that Parra were not able to play their usual open and expansive game.

I was particularly impressed with the tenacious defence of Uni's Kaggisas, Faui and Taufa (and especially Kaggisas' ball distribution). Uni pulled off more than a few brilliant try savers! Better still I was informed that Uni (Canterbury .. lol) were playing without some of their big guns; Lagaaia, Morgan, Demetriou and Armstrong (all of whom are current rep players).

Please credit where credit is due gentlemen! Parra's big and powerful fowards clearly played very well (especially Malaki) but Uni's defence in the backline was what really hindered Parra. But for the two trys Uni shut Parra's star studded backline down; Full Stop!!!!!

Regards,
Newbie.

PS: I more than agree with the assessment of Hunter. Their 14 or 15, the lad with the afro (who also happens ro be a current CHS U/16 rep) looked very dangerous.

 

[Rugby Tragic]

Newbie, I wasn't,t taking anything away from the Uni performance it was very good. I was talking more about the amount of dropped front foot ball Parra dropped and the lack of cohesion . They were playing more one out than as a team.

 

[beaver]

CTPE, some names mentioned in your thread have had much better games ... lots of dropped balls and bad passes
but you will see Parra's performance improve in next game. Their team overall has some v-good players

 

[Man on the hill]

In the early game Eastwood vs Gordon .. ..

I heard that wonderboy Kellaway was forbidden to turn out by the poobahs at Scots - can any one confirm?

 

[Newbie]

Rotflmfao@moth

I heard that wonderboy Kellaway was forbidden to turn out by the poobahs at Scots - can any one confirm?

I had a choice to follow Uni or Gordon today but chose Uni as I wanted to see how certain players in the Uni team would play (especially in the game against Parra) so I chose Uni.

Nevertheless I am sure that I seen a red head on the other field today; and now I hear this!! Please someone tell me he played or else I am going to die by laughter tonight!!!

 

[Rugby Tragic]

Kellaway played and scored two try's. Eastwood had enough ball and field position to win 3 games. Gordon have improved their defense.