Clarification
No a fact - he handles 15As - nought to do with 16s
MOTH,
I accept that Barkell officially has nothing to do with the 16's, however (and I didn't say this clearly enough in my earlier post, so please accept my apologies) but the message I was trying to convey was that it is my understanding that Barkell has input and/or a say into Trinity's rugby program as a whole (if not CAS'). Though I cannot reveal my source, I have it on good authority that prior to Regional's (possibly even Schools) Barkell was already favouring the selection of certain Trinity players for certain positions in the SJRU team!
As per my previous statements, how could any coach exclude the likes of Winterstein, Taiki, Taufa and company? They were clearly among the best players at Regional and as a consequence I would like someone to explain to me how the same were not selected! As it stands certain other players were selected, and the same are coincidentally from CAS schools. Essentially CAS faltered at School's, and those of its players who had a second chance at Regional (and there were many), did not out-perform the players that I have nominated as worthy of selection in the SJRU team!
Ultimately all questions will be answered at the National Championship, however the cost is already being borne by grass roots rugby, a cost it can ill afford! Let me explain!
After Regional my associates (as per the norm) spoke with the lads they look after to gauge that respective boy's self evaluation of their perform. This interaction often leads to discussions about other players and their respective positions. As most in this site are probably aware most of the top players are now generally good mates and are in constant communication with each other via social media outlets such as 'Face Book'.
Generally speaking 16 years of age is when most lads of dual code representative ability make a decision to either stay with rugby or go to league. Given that rugby is always in a constant battle with league for the hearts and minds of such players, why does rugby always seem to disenfranchise these talented players whereby the same see no alternative but to go to league for representative recognition.
As it stands it I have it on good authority that those players mentioned above (that were unjustly ignored by SJRU selectors) will now move to league because they are tired of the politics within rugby (their quotes not mine)! Let's take young Winterstein as a good example. He has been on the scene for a few years now can play well in both codes, but prefers rugby so I am led to believe! According to a few commentators within western Sydney junior league he was unfortunate not to make the final cut for the Penrith HMC team this year. Nevertheless he was picked up by the Western Sydney Academy of Sport HMC team and had a good season!
For those that have seen Wintersein play he is fast, elusive and most importantly, he is tenacious in defence! He is afraid of no-one and often puts his 'BODY ON THE LINE' to make the those difficult tackles on much larger opponents. He did this against Morgan at Regional and as most know the former is not an easy player to bring down! Winterstein made it look easy and smashed him in a copy-book tackle! Better still, look at some of the tries he scored at Regional!
Well I have been informed that the lad will now pull the plug on rugby and concentrate on league in the future, and justifiably so! At least he has recognition there and his performances will always be noted. But if he does gon all I can say is 'what a loss'! We are already seeing a player drain in the ranks of junior rugby and it does not have to be the case! Maybe Barkell didn't think he was good enough, or he had valid reason for not selecting Winterstein, if so why couldn't the same be communicated to the boys so that he may prevail with rugby and take on board such comments in order to have another go at next year's State Championship! League does this for its fringe players that just miss out on representative honours! Admittedly they too don't always get it right, but generally speaking they at least communicate the reasons!
Regards,
Newbie.