Shute Shield 2010

[AussieDominance]

Re: 2010 NSW Club Rugby

I just read an article on the Randwick website listing a welcome to these guys -

bevu tuqiri, junior vosuqa, lai vatadroka, beniasi turova, francois coetzer, john fonokalafi, will crutchley, sam phanpho, shane Richardson, ross kennedy.

Tuqiri played for GPS in Brisbane obviously relation of Lote. junior vosuqa played first grade for Souths in Brisbane last season by the looks of it, Souths made the grand final and he was the goalkicker. lai vatadroka played first grade for Penrith two seasons ago, beniasi turova can't find anything on him, francois coetzer who looks like he played for Wanneroo in the Perth 1st grade comp, JOHN FONOKALAFI see below :

JOHN FONOKALAFI
POSITION: Hooker
CLUB: Marist
PHYSICAL:187cm, 110kg
DATE OF BIRTH: 16/03/76

With Auckland's two leading hookers, Keven Mealamu and Derren Witcombe, away on All Blacks duty, John Fonokalafi has a huge chance to stamp his mark in this year's Air New Zealand NPC.

A good scrummager and line-out thrower Fonokalafi will benefit from locking shoulders with the likes of Nick White and Saimone Taumoepeau.

Fonokalafi has all the makings of a top class hooker. Look for him to improve and develop as the season progresses.

Will Crutchley see below :

http://sports.cbs13.com/rugby/players.asp?player=463190&lg=ANZ

sam phanpho - Dunedin Premier Rugby

shane Richardson - all it came up with was info on the souths boss

Ross Kennedy - http://www.rugby.com.au/players/super_14/highlanders/2009/kennedy,_ross,127118.html

Ridicoulas isn't it how do they afford the money for these blokes!!

 

[AussieDominance]

Re: 2010 NSW Club Rugby

West Harbour Squad for sevens :

2010 Kiama Sevens Squad: Liam Windon, Jai Ayoub, Tyler Spitz, Isaiah Pine, Sione Tau, Steve Mafi, James King, Henry Seavula, Dave Paurini, Macquire Tatola, Sam Latunipula

Looks like Mafi & Latunipulu have turned up at West Harbour..

Norths seem to be losing a few... Bad news as they weren't all that competitive last season and I heard they have similar problems in the Colts program...

 

[gone]

Re: 2010 NSW Club Rugby

Interesting signings for Randwick there…

Funny to see Will Crutchley there, I was a few years ahead of him at school in Christchurch. He’s a big unit who is good at lineout time and gets around the park well but has always lacked ball skills. He played a few years of Air New Zealand cup at Tasman and Hawkes Bay. He started last season with Easts and only played 1 or 2 games, I’m not sure whether he was injured or dropped but he disappeared fairly early in the season.

Ross Kennedy has played a fair bit of super rugby with the Hurricanes and more recently the highlanders. Early on in his career he was a regular starter for the Canes and was touted by many as a future All Black. Unfortunately in recent years his form has dropped off dramatically. He has jumped around different New Zealand provinces trying to regain that. He was in the Highlanders squad last year but got very little game time.

Will be interesting how both players go – has the makings of a pretty handy 2nd row.

 

[RugbyReg]

Re: 2010 NSW Club Rugby

I'm glad Mafi is still around. I thought he was heading to league.

Will he play forwards this year? He is a talent.

 

[TheRiddler]

Re: 2010 NSW Club Rugby

Norths seem to be losing a few...

Whilst Gordon have had their problems over the past year or so, the recent struggles of Norths are almost as sad. Would have thought that with the success of the Cabana Bar that they would have had enough cash to attract top notch coaches and players (making the assumption that he finances of the bar and the rugby club are linked).

Anyone got any insight to what's happened? How is Pinky Cashman coping?

 

[gone]

Re: 2010 NSW Club Rugby

Was speaking too a family friend who was involved in getting a few sponsors for Gordon this year one with Nandos I am pretty sure(son plays colts) he said he heard Paulie Tuala and Nifo Nifo may be on the way back after negotiations.... So maybe there is hope after all...

Paulie and Ratu were back at training last night and will play in the trial against Randwick pending a release from Souths... Haven't heard anything on Nifo - he might be surplus to requirements.

First round Gordon vs Souths at Chatswood has an interesting story line to it.

 

[fatprop]

Re: 2010 NSW Club Rugby

I'm glad Mafi is still around. I thought he was heading to league.

Will he play forwards this year? He is a talent.

He was rumoured to have signed for Wenty (the Eels feeder)

 

[AussieDominance]

Re: 2010 NSW Club Rugby

Was speaking too a family friend who was involved in getting a few sponsors for Gordon this year one with Nandos I am pretty sure(son plays colts) he said he heard Paulie Tuala and Nifo Nifo may be on the way back after negotiations.... So maybe there is hope after all...

Paulie and Ratu were back at training last night and will play in the trial against Randwick pending a release from Souths... Haven't heard anything on Nifo - he might be surplus to requirements.

First round Gordon vs Souths at Chatswood has an interesting story line to it.

Why would they need a release from Souths I know in the Sydney Grade Cricket Comp even if they rego with numerous teams they are not locked into a team till they actually play a competition game.... Is is because of the money involved with Sydney Rugby that they actually sign a contract to play for the club or is it all handshake?

 

[Bruce Ross]

Re: 2010 NSW Club Rugby

gee08, I don't think that the Uni vs. Souths result could possibly be right.

I didn't hear an actual score but I heard that Uni got touched up. Given the number of players they have unavailable at present I don't believe they could walk through a side like Souths.

 

[mark_s]

Re: 2010 NSW Club Rugby

My apologies Bruce

This Uni v Souths score was the colts result

also to add Manly Colts defeated Souths Colts

Uni played Souths in senior trials last weekend (6/7 March). Souths won all four grades (according to the local rag anyway) although it was at home.

 

[gone]

Re: 2010 NSW Club Rugby

Wouldn't read too much into those Gordon - Randwick results (actually I wouldn't read much into any trial results). Both teams were chopping and changing like mad. Gordon used the 4 halfs in 1st and 2nd grade to run 4 completely different teams.

An interesting thing happening at the moment is the number of overseas players arriving. Most of the top clubs will have a few arriving over the next few weeks. Randwick have that list above. Gordon have about 4-5 arriving this week and I'm sure other clubs do. The overseas players are coming to have a shot at making the Melbourne team for next year.

 

[TheRiddler]

Re: 2010 NSW Club Rugby

I heard a rumour yesterday that Gordon were playing Jared Bary at prop. Surely not?

 

[AussieDominance]

Re: 2010 NSW Club Rugby

Does NSW Rugby apply a limit on the amount of overseas players each club is allowed?

 

[gone]

Re: 2010 NSW Club Rugby

I heard a rumour yesterday that Gordon were playing Jared Bary at prop. Surely not?

Haven't heard that one. Would not expect to see that at all. Although I do expect to see a lot of Barry in first grade this year.

Does NSW Rugby apply a limit on the amount of overseas players each club is allowed?

I'm not aware of any limit but the points system penalises players who have played a high level overseas heavily.

 

[AussieDominance]

Re: 2010 NSW Club Rugby

I heard a rumour yesterday that Gordon were playing Jared Bary at prop. Surely not?

Haven't heard that one. Would not expect to see that at all. Although I do expect to see a lot of Barry in first grade this year.

Is Jared fit enough?

 

[TheRiddler]

Re: 2010 NSW Club Rugby

Is Jared fit enough?

I was talking with a family member of his a few weeks back and he told me that Jared had dropped close to 10kg in the off-season. Apparently an orthopedic specialist had spotted something that needed fixing and once that had been sorted out, he's been putting a lot of effort into his fitness.

 

[AussieDominance]

Re: 2010 NSW Club Rugby

Looks like Jeremy Su'a has left Penrith to go to Wests along with Mafi & Latinipulu pilfering from the smaller clubs again....

 

[topo]

Re: 2010 NSW Club Rugby

I heard a rumour yesterday that Gordon were playing Jared Bary at prop. Surely not?

Man, that's one tall prop! Robinson would be looking straight at his crackers.

 

[DPK]

Re: 2010 NSW Club Rugby

This isnt really the place for this comment, but does anyone else find it really weird when you pack down at 2nd row before the props crouch and youre looking the opposition 2nd rower right in the face? Sorta happens at flanker, i just find it really akward :lmao:

 

[Lee Grant]

Re: 2010 NSW Club Rugby

Beau Robinson has been released from his contract in Italy on compassionate grounds after the recent tragic death of his brother. He's back in Bathurst but he will be in Sydney soon for the Shute Shield. The Rats have fixed up a job for him. He was hopeful of being picked up by the new Super team before he left and would be a good choice.

Michael Lipman is returning to the Rats after playing in lesser teams overseas. He was cleared to play in the trial game last week against Gordon and apparently had a blinder. He still hasn't been cleared by the ARU to be picked up by the Rebels.