QLD GPS Rugby 2012

[light]

From reading through the Oz schools thread it seems that the following GPS boys are in with a very good shot of getting to pull on the Green & Gold (prediction either 1st squad or 'A' team)

Nudgee
#2 Postale - (Oz 1)
#3 Wessels - (Oz 1)
#12 Tuttle - (Oz 1)

Churchie
#6 Gunn - (A's)
#11 Ioane - (Oz 1)
#13 Tanuvasa - (A's)

BBC
#8 Fakaosolea - (A's)
#14 Kallel - (A's) - NOTE: INJURED

Grammar
#4 Cornelsen - (Oz 1)
#15 Greene - (A's)

TGS
#9 Deck - (A's)
#15 Placid - (A's)

BSHS
#4/6 Korczyk - (Oz 1)

IGS
#1 Pleash - (A's)
#3 Takau - (A's)

 

[GlobeTrotter]

Light you really think TGS can stay within 5 points of Churchie?

 

[light]

Swarley I know that you're a knowledgeable poster on here so just out of interest, on what basis can you say that BGS has a better backline than the likes of Nudgee and TGS?

Eh, it's horses for courses. I understand where Swarley is coming from but its really a matter of perspective on this debate

IMO they are all pretty even with the exception of IGS (10,13), BSHS (12,13) and TGS (10)

BGS
10 Greene
12 Aiono
13 Birch

ACGS
10 Eason
12 McClanahan
13 Vanuseva

NC
10 James
12 Tuttle
13 Shipperley

GT
10 Dalgleish
12 Heenan
13 Larosa

TSS
10 Third
12 Cooney
13 Fielea

Where one team has it's strengths another has it's weakness. I rate the TGS backline even without a dominant 10, guys like Deck and Placid offer real danger points which aren't in the midfield, Ippy have their strength in the forwards with blokes likes Hayes and Fela offering options out wide. BBC may not have the most established midfield combination but have real depth in the back three and a backrow most GPS schools could only dream of. The only real well-rounded backline would be Churchie followed by either BGS or NC.

 

[light]

Light you really think TGS can stay within 5 points of Churchie?

Churchie are rusty, the combinations haven't really linked well so far and they are yet to be really convincing. I think they will hit their straps at some point in the season but blokes like Bougoure, Deck, Placid and Potgeiter have the ability to really limit Churchie's scoring. It could be by 5 or it could be by 35, depends whether the Churchie backline shows up to play or not, I have a feeling they will scrape by (mainly thanks to returning in-form players from Oz schools champs, particularly Tanuvasa and Ioane) and save the big guns for Nudgee the following week.

 

[ippylad93]

I have been reading about all these injuries to BBC backs, Gareth Kalell with a popped out shoulder, Tom Banks with a broken wrist or arm, and Josh Bowen with injury (not 100% on what it is), if these injuries are true and these three players are out for any GPS rounds BBC will be in trouble, because of a lack of depth. Jonah Placid sounds to be playing his heart out down in Sydney, very good news for the boys up in the range.

 

[interested68]

Why? I would have thought the opposite.

Sorry Light, I meant they would not want to let TGS get the ball past the flyhalf, very good outside backs.

 

[the sabanator]

Agree regarding Third, I have rated his distribution skills for a while, even higher than guys like Eason (ACGS) and James (NC), however he is no Dalgleish.

Come to see the light regarding Dalgleish?

Sorry, terrible pun.

 

[light]

Come to see the light regarding Dalgleish?

Sorry, terrible pun.

I will agree, he is the best of a bad bunch.

 

[the sabanator]

It's not a particularly bad bunch, there's definitely competition there. Doesn't really measure up to NSW at the moment though.

 

[Swarley]

Swarley I know that you're a knowledgeable poster on here so just out of interest, on what basis can you say that BGS has a better backline than the likes of Nudgee and TGS? Also, they are some very even key match ups (with regards to IGS vs. TSS). I believe that Pleash may have a slight edge in the front row though Third should run rings around Anderson (is he the young lad currently playing in the Indigenous XV?)

Well GlobeTrotter, I believe Brisbane Grammar have one of the best teams in the competition. I emphasise teams because they play exceptionally well as a unit and don't rely on their more notable players. The best example I can think of is last year's 1st XV match against IGS. Less than 4 days before the match, which was the first of the season, star fly-half Grant Davies (QLD 1 2010, 2011) was ruled out with what was thought to be a season ending injury. Sam Greene stepped up to win the match by a point off his boot with 14 men for most of the game. IGS boasted a star-studded side that day with many QLD and Australian representative players and yet there were comprehensively outplayed by the Light Dark Blue.

This can probably be brought down to the coaching of Damon Emtage and Julian Gardner. I think they're the best coaching team of all the GPS schools hands down. They've managed to transform the Grammar 1sts into a premiership contender from a side that was beaten 103-0 by BSHS in 2009. Returning this year are QLD 1 #23 Sam Greene (who is arguably the best kicker and possibly #10/#15 from any GPS school), centres Lakehm Aiono and Josh Birch (QLD and Australian Rugby League representatives respectively), winger Lewis Radford (Selected in GPS 3, withdrew due to injury) and fullback Hugo Starr-Thomas. On top of an abundance of star talent they've got plenty of experience and actually play as a team. Nudgee have possibly the best schoolboy in the country in Jack Tuttle, but one player doesn't make a whole backline. Shipperly's a talented centre but on the whole the lack the strike power and experience of other sides, their biggest strength being their monster forward pack.

It's probably why a lot of posters rate BGS as being one of the top contenders in 2012. They're a side that plays above their weight, yet contain a lot of returning players in key positions with rep experience- Blackhurst, Gilbert, Cornelson, Greene, Aiono, Birch, Radford etc.- coached by a former Wallaby and QLD development coach (Gardner) along with the former Reds backs coach (Emtage).

And yes, Anderson's the Indigenous XV fly-half who just got selected to the Presidents XV to play Tonga today.

 

[light]

You could argue the same for TSS, TGS, NC, ACGS and BBC. Once again, it's a matter of perspective. For those with Grammar-tinted glasses, a top 3 finish seems reasonably achievable, for the rest of us that prediction would be a little too bold. The competition will be tight, each team has players who can individually change a game but you are right that team cohesiveness is going to be vital. While you may argue that BGS has a very well formed squad with players who play for each other that holds very little strength against the powerhouses of the competition who have individuals which can tear teams apart with a good game (I am referring to the likes of Tuttle, Vanuseva, Placid, Korzcyk, Greene). Can a 'cohesive' forward pack hold their own against the likes of Wessels, Postale, Mafi, Sikimenti, Rodwell, Fitzgerald, and Tuifao? All of whom are proven rep players..

I repeat my question from a previous post, how have BGS improved from last year to become 'contenders' right now? Yes, they started last year well with a few consecutive wins but they also struggled in the run home (you can blame that on the injury to Davies or whatever but he is no longer there to steady the ship). For mine, right now they are below TGS, NC, ACGS and TSS in the pre-season title pecking order and BSHS if you want to go on trial results..

 

[gbanger]

I believe grammar won't be good enough to be a real force against teams like nudgee and churchie. Predicted finish: 5th to 8th

 

[ippylad93]

Fun Fact: Oppenhiemer was at a party about 2 months ago trying to pick fights with everyone, he went up to a Nudgee boy and was in his face trying to fight him, Oppenhiemer pushed him then the Nudgee boy one punch clipped Oppenhiemer on the jaw and knocked him out. Ambulance came and Oppenhiemer was taken to hospital and was unable to play in the Aussie rules match against Nudgee due to concussion.

why is this relevant players arnt limited to what they do off the field and this has no relevance to his rugby ability an absolutely stupid comment which should be withdrawn

Just something to lighten the situation up and maybe have a laugh

 

[the sabanator]

Why are people still not counting Terrace?
3/3 on a tour, beat BBC with at least 4 key injuries and only lost to Churchie by 5 in their first trial of the season.

 

[ippylad93]

Why are people still not counting Terrace?
3/3 on a tour, beat BBC with at least 4 key injuries and only lost to Churchie by 5 in their first trial of the season.

terrace have definitely lifted up their game and changed the original views on how they will perform in the season. I believe that at highest terrace will finish 2nd but should not be any lower than 6th. Terrace is probably the most successful school in Queensland GPS in relation to out of school success and because of recent poor performances from last year's tarnish on their great proud history they are out for revenge the school underwent huge reconstructions to their sporting programs which have so far proved successfull. The school no longer provides gear for rugby players only a bag and jersey for 1st XV members this money has gone into coaching and into repairing the Tennyson playing fields, hopefully this is a successful year for terrace but I do not see the premiership in their hands this year

 

[light]

Why are people still not counting Terrace?
3/3 on a tour, beat BBC with at least 4 key injuries and only lost to Churchie by 5 in their first trial of the season.

Sabanator, where do you see Terrace finishing?

Fun Fact: Oppenhiemer was at a party about 2 months ago trying to pick fights with everyone, he went up to a Nudgee boy and was in his face trying to fight him, Oppenhiemer pushed him then the Nudgee boy one punch clipped Oppenhiemer on the jaw and knocked him out. Ambulance came and Oppenhiemer was taken to hospital and was unable to play in the Aussie rules match against Nudgee due to concussion.

Just something to lighten the situation up and maybe have a laugh

Who cares..does that make him a bad rugby player?

 

[GlobeTrotter]

Well GlobeTrotter, I believe Brisbane Grammar have one of the best teams in the competition. I emphasise teams because they play exceptionally well as a unit and don't rely on their more notable players. The best example I can think of is last year's 1st XV match against IGS. Less than 4 days before the match, which was the first of the season, star fly-half Grant Davies (QLD 1 2010, 2011) was ruled out with what was thought to be a season ending injury. Sam Greene stepped up to win the match by a point off his boot with 14 men for most of the game. IGS boasted a star-studded side that day with many QLD and Australian representative players and yet there were comprehensively outplayed by the Light Dark Blue.

This can probably be brought down to the coaching of Damon Emtage and Julian Gardner. I think they're the best coaching team of all the GPS schools hands down. They've managed to transform the Grammar 1sts into a premiership contender from a side that was beaten 103-0 by BSHS in 2009. Returning this year are QLD 1 #23 Sam Greene (who is arguably the best kicker and possibly #10/#15 from any GPS school), centres Lakehm Aiono and Josh Birch (QLD and Australian Rugby League representatives respectively), winger Lewis Radford (Selected in GPS 3, withdrew due to injury) and fullback Hugo Starr-Thomas. On top of an abundance of star talent they've got plenty of experience and actually play as a team. Nudgee have possibly the best schoolboy in the country in Jack Tuttle, but one player doesn't make a whole backline. Shipperly's a talented centre but on the whole the lack the strike power and experience of other sides, their biggest strength being their monster forward pack.

It's probably why a lot of posters rate BGS as being one of the top contenders in 2012. They're a side that plays above their weight, yet contain a lot of returning players in key positions with rep experience- Blackhurst, Gilbert, Cornelson, Greene, Aiono, Birch, Radford etc.- coached by a former Wallaby and QLD development coach (Gardner) along with the former Reds backs coach (Emtage).

And yes, Anderson's the Indigenous XV fly-half who just got selected to the Presidents XV to play Tonga today.

Tuttle Oz A... NSW must have some bloody good backs.

Might I add that 'a lot of posters rate BGS as being one of the top contenders in 2012' somewhat because there are simply a lot of BGS posters.

But fair enough, I can see where you are coming from and I wish the team the very best for the season.

I can see some resemblence between what you are describing of the BGS backline and that of TSS'. Both 10's in Greene and Third are undeniably great distributors, with the diminuitive midfield pairings of Aiono, Birch being comparable to Fielea, Cooney. The pace of the outside backs in Radford? and Nathan/Gauder for TSS just promises to be highly entertaining throughout the season. Can't wait.

 

[light]

Following boys selected for Aus Schools

Aus 1:
1. Aaron Pleash - IGS
4. Jack Cornelsen - BGS
6. Michael Gunn - ACGS
8. Lolo Fakaosilea - BBC
15. Jonah Placid - TGS

Aus 'A':
1. Ben Tarr - TSS
2. Francois Postale - NC
3. Dylan Sikimenti - NC
4. Dan Preen - IGS
5. Philip Potgeiter - TGS
6. Adam Korczyk - BSHS
9. Adam Deck - TGS
11. Monty Ioane - ACGS
12. Jack Tuttle - NC
15/10. Sam Greene - BGS

NB: Numbers listed to show positions they play in GPS, not positions selected for Australia.

 

[Dark Shark]

Two weeks to go and many followers of QLD GPS rugby are starting to get toey, enduring the longest break between seasons in living memory.

I believe it is shaping up as one of the closest seasons for many years. There are some "x" factors that those involved in this comp have not experienced before. These include the longer pre season. It will help some schools and hinder others. Then playing all the comp games over 10 consecutive weeks (assuming all schools play Downlands for their bye) brings a new level of conditioning required and I believe some of the schools with younger teams will struggle backing up week after week. The comp will probably favour the older teams with the most players with prior year 1st XV experience and the schools with most depth.

Saying that I still believe Churchie will win the comp but would not be surprised if they dropped a match and still won outright (which does not occur too often). Churchie have not impressed in the trials I have seen, but on reflection I believe that is because my expectations have been very high and the team just pushing too hard during the trial part of the season. They will start executing to their ability when the proper season commences.

After that I believe the order of schools could be anything and in the scheme of things where they are placed could be said to be irrelevant. Coming 2nd in this comp is as good as coming ninth (IMO). There may not be too much between the second and last team but those teams that drop their bundle (confidence) will go out the back door very quickly and will miss games they could normally win.

It may have been said by other posters to this thread, but I believe that Nudgee can beat Churchie. However, I also believe that because Nudgee will be using a fair few u16 players (although still no confirmation on Hagan and Paulo's availability) they will lose other games during the season due to reasons I have mentioned above.

Terrace seem to dominate the discussion in this thread. This season I have seen two of their trial games. They could do anything, but from posts I have seen, they will have seven u16 players (while good players, none who i have seen would i regard as "special" players). If they win as many as they lose they should be marked as successful and set themselves for an even better season next year when they will have at least eight players backing up for a second year.

Other schools who have underperformed in the last three or four years have become very focused on their rugby programmes. BGS, TGS and BBC have acquired excellent coaching staff in recent years and ensured their playing rosters are strong in talent and well coached. There was a time in recent years where I thought the comp was becoming two tiered. I now think this gap is now closing.

Other posters to this thread have not rated BSHS. They will miss the talent they have enjoyed in recent years, but I believe they have some very good players. If they can hold it together they will surprise some people on G&GR. Should they endure some injuries their lack of depth will cost them.

No bold predictions. Just looking forward to some great rugby and epic matches.

 

[the sabanator]

Light, I see Terrace coming fifth, with the potential to go higher given a few results. The competition has no clear front runner - Churchie, even with all its star power, have struggled. The other teams all seem to be fairly equal, its going to be a topsy turvy year. I'm not going to try and rank the teams, rather sort them into three groups - premiership caliber, middle teams, bottom.

Contenders
NC - Huge forward pack. Tuttle running the show in the backs. Backline would be their downfall, but I think their forwards will be too match for Churchie's.

TSS - Beat Churchie in a full length trial game. Have some quality players in Third, Tarr and Cooney. Wouldn't be surprised to see them actually win the comp.

ACGS - Quick, skilled backline with a lot of depth, but lack size in the forwards. Australian reps in Gunn and Ioane, as well as several other impressive players (Oppenheimer, Georgiou, McClanachan, Tanuvasa). Will have the pace to outrun other teams but I think they'll get done up front against Churchie.

TGS - A lot of hype with this team, and they look to have some quality players up their on the range. Really wouldn't be shocked if they upset Churchie in the first game of the season. A borderline middle of the pack team.

Middle of the pack
GT - Really comes down to how well the team is coached, and it appears to have a significant upgrade from last year. Terrace has always had talent, it just appears to have been (obviously) poorly managed. Key players are in the backs, with Dalgleish and Given at 10 and 15 likely to share playmaking duties (Given is a handy backup to Dalgleish at 10), with Heenan further out wide with a bit of toe. The forwards is where this team might struggle, mainly with size, but they appear to have an upgrade from last year, too - Rob Green and Daniel Sitanilei add some much needed size to the Terrace pack, and Isaac French is back to control the lineout and bring a lot of aggression. Watch out for Toby McNamee - small, but an excellent pilferer. He'll turn some heads with his play this year. Return to Tennyson should really help the morale of this team.

BBC - When I saw this team play the first thing that struck me was how big they were. It's a big side. Lolo Fakaosilea is a quality player, and this BBC has size and speed across the park. Ben Tarr might live to regret his move down the coast, this team does have potential to go much higher.

Bottom
BGS - Return alot of players from last year, and a lot of people have high hopes for this team. I'm really unsure, I'd say they're a classic darkhorse team. The boot of Greene should really aid them. Should have a cracker of a game with Terrace.

IGS - Preen, Takau and Pleash make up the bulk of a very strong forward pack, but their backline appears to be suspect and may be their eventual downfall.

BSHS - Australian rep in Korczyk, but not really too much else to write home about. Have a reasonable group of pigs and an average at best backline. The glory days of State High rugby might be over for a few years.

That said, this competition has depth from top to bottom, and there are a few teams that could just as easily finish third as ninth. Here's to a great year to come.