How important is your Schoolboy Rugby Scrapbook?
From the 4 starting XV's (60 players) published in the programmes of the teams that contested the Colts First Grade Semi-Finals this year, G&GR archives reveal that this is their Schoolboy Rugby "Pedigree":
Highest Schoolboy Rep Honours
Australian Schoolboys (5/60)
1. Vuni Fifita (Randwick), 2. Evan Pritchard (Northern Suburbs), 7. Jack McCalman (Sydney University), 9. Nick Duffy (Sydney University), 10. Connor O'Shea (Sydney University)
Australian Schoolboys A (none in 2014) (3/60)
2. Nick Koutsoukis (Randwick), 8. Olly Kamp (Randwick), 10. Jack Clancy (Northern Suburbs)
NSW I (3/60)
3. Jackson McLean (Northern Suburbs), 3. Will Ridley (Sydney University), 15. Guy Porter (Sydney University)
NSW II (7/60)
7. Jum Woodhill (Randwick), 1. Jakob Sedgeman (Northern Suburbs), 4. Will Finley (Northern Suburbs), 12. Nic Clancy (Northern Suburbs), 5. Harrison Williams (Sydney University), 6. Declan Moore (Sydney University),12. Will McDonnell (Sydney University)
Combined States (4/60)
4. Nick Kellaway (Randwick), 14. Tom Molloy (Randwick), 5. Harry Lind (Northern Suburbs), 13. Jack Redden (Sydney University)
Attended National Schoolboys Championships (22/60)
Did not attend National Schoolboy Championships (38/60)
AAGPS Rep (4/60)
12. Ben Starkey (Randwick), 14. Charlie Oldham (Northern Suburbs), 6. Max Hendrie (Eastern Suburbs), 8. Hamish Dunbar (Sydney University)
ISA Rep (2/60)
11. Christian Kagiassis (Sydney University), 5. Emerson Adcock (Eastern Suburbs)
CAS Rep (6/60)
5. Ryan Powter (Randwick), 13. Devan Stoltz (Randwick), 15. Ben O'Donnell (Randwick), 8. Leon Akopian (Northern Suburbs), 7. Nick Makas (Eastern Suburbs), 1. Matt Hooper (Eastern Suburbs
CCC Rep (1/60)
9. Ted Pye (Eastern Suburbs)
CHS Rep (0/60)
NSW Country Schools (1/60)
11. Tommy Gilbert (Northern Suburbs)
NSW JRU Rep (0/60)
SJRU Rep (1/60)
9. Josh Lynch (Northern Suburbs)
NSW CJRU Rep (1/60)
10. Nic Andrews (Randwick)
NSW Schools U16 (1/60)
10. Jack Maddocks (Eastern Suburbs),
Not Selected For Reps (12/60)
Newington 1st XV (2/60)
3. Campbell Shearer (Randwick), 4. Guy Beever (Eastern Suburbs)
Joeys 1st/2nd XV (4/60)
6. Daniel Hughes(Randwick), 7. Rory Gallagher (Northern Suburbs), 4. Joshua Schwager (Sydney University), 13. Alex Newsome (Eastern Suburbs)
Scots 1st XV, 2nd XV (2/60)
14. Christian Yassmin (Sydney University), 9. Sam Horwitz (Randwick)
Shore 1st XV (1/60)
13. Charlie King (Northern Suburbs)
Kings 1st XV/2nd XV (2/60)
1. Jack Bliss (Sydney University), 3. Archie Hall (Eastern Suburbs)
Waverley 1st XV (1/60)
2. Lindsey Stevens (Eastern Suburbs)
Unknown (9/60)
11. Ned Robinson (Randwick), 6. Angus Cook (Northern Suburbs), 15. Josh Cook (Northern Suburbs), 2. Folau Fainga'a (Sydney University), 8. Ben Vincent (Eastern Suburbs), 11. Suesi Iosua (Eastern Suburbs), 12. Harry Priestner (Eastern Suburbs), 14. Christo Wylie (Eastern Suburbs), 15. James Pelowski (Eastern Suburbs)
The point is:
1. The "usual suspects" don't just recruit schoolboy "Rock Stars".
2. Some Schoolboy "Rock Stars" in the usual suspects get passed by others without such impressive pedigrees.
3. Plenty of players who didn't get selected for their School Association Rep team were in the running for a Colts First Grade Premiership by making the Semi-Finals with their Colts Club.
4. Cream rises to the surface.
5. Don't give up if you were not selected for your School Association Rep team, or even the 1st XV at one of the "Big Rugby Schools".
6. Colts Coaches and Selectors care about current performances and form, and care little for what the opinion of another group of selectors at some point in the past was.