I did attend the 13a game on Main Oval on the weekend where Nudgee won 20-7- it was the only other game I saw besides the BIG ONE.
The difference in the two teams were obvious.
Nudgee were a team of Big boys for their age and the call " Give it to the big kid" had devastating effect as the Big Kids were immediately supplied with the ball, where they tucked it under their arm , and turned the shorter lighter , Churchie kids into Bowling pins. The Churchie Kids were tenacious, throwing themselves with copy book tackles at the ankles of the "Big Kids" or being carried on the Big Kids backs with 4 other teams mates as they grappled with the "Giants" to bring them down. What they lacked in size they made up in heart but were no match for the physical size and strength of 13 Years old who had , been blessed with their growth spurt early.
What I was more interested in was the rugby skill at that level, rather than the result. The ACGS forwards techniques were sound but out muscled and the backline sang like a bird, moving the ball swiftly to either blue and grey wings without incident, or showing rugby intelligence beyond their years as they spiralled torpedoes into open spaces and cutting swaths of realestate out of the Nudgee territory turning around the "big kids" only to face the Bowling Pin outcome again. Their Rugby skills were silky smooth for that age group and the coaching staff had obviously started to drill technique and skill into this team, knowing the growth spurts will all come in time. They are in no rush to win. A real rugby program.
I have seen this before. Little but talented 13a team getting towelled at that level ,grow up to be formidable FIRST XV's with combination and chemistry that can't be bought in with a cheque book. Add a couple of cheque book players who bring in external skills that can be dissolved into the rest of this nucleus later on and you have the secret to a good Rugby Program that will go on to produce multiple representative players. That is what Australian Rugby needs.
My takeaway -
1. Is a successful rugby program one who has the ability to put kids in the Gym and out Muscle other sides and win every game every week ? , or
2.one that imparts true Rugby skills on its students, taught technique and rugby smarts as they build a warehouse full of Talented young kids who grow up to be good Rugby Players with the ability to play "Champagne rugby" and maybe one day play in the Wallabies?
I think the later , is what Australian Rugby needs. Less Muscle powder and bench pressing and more athletic Barbarian style silky hands rugby and unstoppable mauls from Fitter Lighter packs that just know how to scrummage better than the Muscle.
Australian School programs need an overhaul. We need more Ella's , Lynaghs, more "Horans and Littles", More Campese and Goulds, even Quads or Pongas -more Barbarian flair..... more X Factor players who have rugby skills bred into them from a young age...... and who cares if they lose every match, so long as this skills transfer continues to grow the game and build a professional game we can be proud of......and the kids have a smile on their faces whilst this is done.
Now thats a Rugby Program.