U18 Academy Games and Australia U18s

[Rudderless]

Australian Schoolboys vs Fiji Schoolboys


Test Match 1: Sat 28 Sep. 18.00 (Fiji time)
Australia Schoolboys vs. Fiji Schoolboys, Sigatoka

Fiji 26 Aust 14

Test Match 2: Tue 1 Oct 15.00 (Fiji time)
Australia Schoolboys vs. Fiji Schoolboys, Sigatoka

 

[Maul of Duty]

- Heinz Lomoto looked class at 8
- Bassingthwaite looked good at 15
- Fittler got isolated a couple of times but was bending the line.
- Makasini looked a handful on the sting
- Liked the look og Rylands and Robinson in the backrow
- Fonua and Thompson looked solid in the row.
- Hill looked promising at THP. One of the Looseheads looked okay but didn't catch his name.

The Loosehead was Lavercombe and was good in the scrums and in counter rucks. I think he is the year younger as well which is promising

 

[Game_Day_Ritual]

Not sure about the 23-25 games? Sydney AAGPS play 10 games each season (home and away for 6 teams). Couple of trial games, and a couple of rep games.

15 games if you are lucky? Or has the season expanded to more than home/away now?

Spot on 10 comp games and few trials thrown in. This season in Sydney lots of rain so the lower ages 16-13 age groups had as many 3 game cancelled which resulted in 8-9 games for the season, kids simply cant develop.

 

[Game_Day_Ritual]

S

We should steal/copy the UK approach in my opinion - support / align our Clubs and put academies in / on top of each of the Clubs.

Exactly what England does (not putting them on a pedestal, but they have just won the U20s World Cup).

That allows for more players in the academy system, and allows for more meritocracy of movement. The English system is brutal - the moment a player is not meeting KPIs, they are put on notice to improve or they leave and are replaced in the academy.

We can still have State Representative matches, but take the responsibility away from the Super Rugby Franchises for the Academies.

In fact, we should have way more representative State Matches over the year so the players can put their hands up for selection to JWBs and beyond - and I would extend the State vs State Matches to include a new level of U23 to keep those interested after U20s.....sort of a stepping stone towards Super Rugby or even Australia A.

This all relies on collaboration between Clubs and RA - easier said than done of course

Steve Gray spot makes so much sense. It's not difficult look at the Irish/English and SA schools' systems and take the best bits and simply replicate! its really not that difficult. Something has to change given the result over in Fiji the other day with the school's team being beaten by Fiji.

 

[Game_Day_Ritual]

Someone should get in Le Maîtres’ ear and make him a 9.

He’s tough as nail with a great running game. Size may be an issue as he progresses to against men at 7 but I could see him being a Halfback easily. Was great in open play all year for Shore.

Or hooker. Like a Dan Cole type, very mobile and skillful, worked for the All Blacks and Dan.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Tom Youngs is probably the ideal comparison for someone who did actually make a drastic switch. Went from Centre to Hooker when Meyer told him he should. Ended up a Lion..

It's a big ask to the front row with the size requirement being 100kg+ Lachlan Lonergan is suffering from being too light but hes fantastic around the field.

He's a very good 7 and hope he makes it as that but just a thought that 9 is more of a skill shift than a physical transformation. His current skills would just make him a better 9 as well.

 

[Soupnasty]

Quality comes after setbacks.
For some of these boys, this is their first time missing a selection. It might be the best thing for them in the long run.

 

[Steve_Grey]

S

Steve Gray spot makes so much sense. It's not difficult look at the Irish/English and SA schools' systems and take the best bits and simply replicate! its really not that difficult. Something has to change given the result over in Fiji the other day with the school's team being beaten by Fiji.

The problem is I doubt the Super Rugby Franchises would relinquish their control of the Academies - IMO Super Rugby should be focusing on the Elite Contracted players (i.e. those not on full pro contracts) rather than the wider academy which the Clubs have a way better handle on given the players are Colts playing week in week out for the Clubs.

 

[Rudderless]

Australian Schoolboys vs Fiji Schoolboys


Test Match 1: Sat 28 Sep. 18.00 (Fiji time)
Australia Schoolboys vs. Fiji Schoolboys, Sigatoka

Fiji 26 Aust 14

Test Match 2: Tue 1 Oct 15.00 (Fiji time)
Australia Schoolboys vs. Fiji Schoolboys, Sigatoka

To watch todays game live will cost you $20 FJD via FBC Sports

 

[Rudderless]

From Adam84


Australia U18 vs. New Zealand Barbarians
St Paul's Collegiate School, Hamilton

11am AEST (2pm local) Wednesday 2 October

1. Kingsley Uys - The Southport School

2. John Grenfell - Nudgee College

3. Edwin Langi - Eastern Suburbs Rugby Club

4. Will Ross - Padua College

5. Isaac Fonua - The King's School

6. Eli Langi - Brisbane State High School

7. Tom Robinson (c) - UQ Rugby Club

8. Heinz Lemoto - The Scots College

9. Angus Grover - St Igantius College, Riverview

10. Jonty Fowler - St Joseph's College

11. Heamasi Makasini - Newington College

12. Josh Takai - Brothers Rugby Club

13. Frankie Goldsbrough (vc) - Easts Rugby Club

14. Tom Howard - Marist College Ashgrove

15. Rex Bassingthwaighte - The Shore School

Reserves

16. Ewald Kruger - GPS Rugby Club

17. Nick Hill - Barker College

18. Jonah Rangiwai - The Southport School

19. Avery Thomson - GPS Rugby Club

20. Luca Cleverley - Newington College

21. Sam Blank - St Augustine's College

22. Finn Mackay - St Laurence's College

23. Zach Fittler - The Scots College


Also the game will be streamed here:

 

[Rudderless]

To watch todays game live will cost you $20 FJD via FBC Sports

34-25 to Fiji in the 2nd and final Match today

 

[drewprint]

I’m confused. So the Aus u18 team is different from the Aus Schoolboy team?

 

[Rudderless]

I’m confused. So the Aus u18 team is different from the Aus Schoolboy team?

The Aust squad is tier 1, the Schoolboys squad is tier 2 in the Under 18 age group

 

[drewprint]

Ah gotcha. Thanks!

 

[Mr Pilfer]

The Aust squad is tier 1, the Schoolboys squad is tier 2 in the Under 18 age group

And can you clarify for me, why is this happening at the same time as the super rugby under 19 comp? Wouldn’t there be a crossover of some players?
I am from WA so might be missing something with the pathways over East

 

[Rudderless]

And can you clarify for me, why is this happening at the same time as the super rugby under 19 comp? Wouldn’t there be a crossover of some players?
I am from WA so might be missing something with the pathways over East

The Aust 18’s squad are playing their 1st game in NZ tomorrow (Wed) plus the Schoolboys squad tour to Fiji (just finished) are from the U18 category (Year 12 in 2024). They have come thru the Schools or Junior Club pathways.

U19’s are chosen from Colts (or some may be good enough to playing up in Opens) in their 1st year at a Senior Club.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

The field looks immaculate

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Well that couldn't have been easier

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Nice try off a botched throw.

Lemoto is a hard guy to stop once his legs are going. No.1 for Aus is a tank

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

OK. That's a try of the year contender. Great ball movement from Aus try line to go length of the field.

Goldsbrough looks to be living up to the reputation he carries. Few good shots and has a turn of pace for a big fella.