Waratah Cup/ Shield 2014

[sarcophilus]

The pre season trials have been a source of some cross-conference debate. Though these matches mayprovide some indicator of team performance, there is always the fact that these are trials, early season and unsettled. The Waratah Shield should be a forum to help decide some of the debates carried on in this place. Unfortunately it appears to be ignored by some of the bigger rugby playing schools in NSW
The waratah shield is open to all schools in NSW. The schools with a less established rugby culture or that are not a part of the three (or four counting the ACT ) rugby playing associations, can gain entry to the shield through reaching the Waratah cup final. a great way of quarantining teams from significant blow-outs
I am sure there has been games organised for these competitions, but the information for those outside the circle is, as usual scant.
hopefully there wont be as many forfeits or buys this year

hopefully some of you that know what is going on will be able to share their information here

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Very timely post @sarcophilus. NSW Schools RU usually post the draw and rules of the Waratah Cup around this time each year, but there was nothing about it on their web site as of yesterday.

In terms of cross association games, going on past history, it is unlikely that we will see any. Knox sometimes put in a guest appearance for the CAS. Most of the ISA guns usually participate esp Augies, Oakhill, Stannies. AAGPS are too busy with full rugby calendars.

Lets hope this year that the opening rounds are characterised by games played rather than forfeits as was the case last year.

 

[sarcophilus]

Just Checked out the "schools Rugby Tribune, " It seems no one has been there since the horses birthday last year the final results weren't even posted
thank goodness for GAGR

 

[Quick Hands]

Looking into my crystal ball, I'll suggest the following:

1. State sports high schools (except Narrabeen) will enter

2. Most ISA div 1 schools will enter

3. The equivalent Canberra private rugby schools will enter

4. Very few state comprehensive high schools will enter

5. Very few (if any) systemic catholic schools will enter

6. As soon as a school in categories 4 or 5 run into a school in categories 1, 2 or 3 they will forfeit

7. A good spread of state comprehensives will enter the Waratah Cup

8. Waratah Cup qualifiers will lose as soon as they go into the main Shield draw

 

[I like to watch]

I reckon Knox will be there again this year,and will at least make it to the Final,if their supporters are anywhere near the mark in their assessment of the team

 

[Quick Hands]

If they played their top team in every game, I suspect they would be genuine contenders. IIRC, in the past, when CAS schools have entered they often don't play their 1sts players in the Waratah Shield and save them for for the CAS match on the Saturday. (understandably)

 

[sarcophilus]

I believe last year was a genuine attempt at the silverware, undone by Oak Hill in the semi. Knox were coming home and looking for all money to be about to score to snatch victory, when they permitted a match second (honey badger style) length of the field intercept try 5 from full time.
It may well have been a final they were happy to miss.

 

[Quick Hands]

It may well be that Oakhill played their final that day against Knox. They were certainly flat and well-beaten in the final.

 

[sarcophilus]

checking around the usual sites, Rugby tribune
lost interest at the semi finals last year nothing past that

N.S.W. schools Rugby union (Rugby net)
has the hand book for 2013 in the library

at least we know last year round one had to be completed by 24th May possibly the same this year
we know four teams had a bye in the first round so there were 20/24 starting positions filled
are the semi-finalists similarly benefited this year
has anyone heard of any fixtures coming up in the next week

 

[Runner]

checking around the usual sites, Rugby tribune
lost interest at the semi finals last year nothing past that

N.S.W. schools Rugby union (Rugby net)
has the hand book for 2013 in the library

at least we know last year round one had to be completed by 24th May possibly the same this year
we know four teams had a bye in the first round so there were 20/24 starting positions filled
are the semi-finalists similarly benefited this year
has anyone heard of any fixtures coming up in the next week

Perhaps it indicates the state of rugby administration in NSW school boys that their is little to no publicity etc.
I feel for the workers on the ground who run the competition.

 

[Quick Hands]

Aah, those unpaid interns again

 

[Wood Rat]

St Augustines heading to Endeavour sports High Wednesday 7th May
no 1st Round bye this year

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Anyone got a draw?

Nothing on the NSW Schools website. Google search is revealing nothing useful, apart from pointing back to this thread.

Have ASIO taken over NSW Rugby?
The Waratah Shield/Cup seems to have joined the SFS Crowd figures on the "need to know" list.

 

[Wood Rat]

comfortable 1st round win to St Augustine's
I dont know more than that at this stage

 

[Quick Hands]

Anyone got a draw?

Nothing on the NSW Schools website. Google search is revealing nothing useful, apart from pointing back to this thread.

Have ASIO taken over NSW Rugby?
The Waratah Shield/Cup seems to have joined the SFS Crowd figures on the "need to know" list.

No byes, which probably means less teams this year rather than more.

 

[sarcophilus]

Oaks v Dara...... it must be the other semi-final next week

 

[sarcophilus]

I wonder how much it cost to redesign the web page and pay for hosting
there is no point to paying for all that if it is not used I would suggest it may even be counter-productive...
I know the committee members and their henchmen visit here. guys and girls send a personal note to one of the regulars here. there are a few regular adults that are interested. I am sure with a couple of contact numbers it would be followed up and at least the results could get out with some speed and accuracy.

 

[Wood Rat]

My comment about a bye was as much a question. I would expect there would be no hurry to get the first round in by 24 May if there were reduced numbers, as to have less teams this year would mean everyone had a 1st round bye

 

[lily]

Tele says sac 67 eshs 7

 

[sarcophilus]

Tele says sac 67 eshs 7

A bigger than expected gap given the Endeavour school had around 11 reps in 1st or 2nd XV CHS and 4 or 5 in the u16 last year (i think I counted correctly)

Oak Hill and Dara' do combat on Wednesday. I don't believe Oaks played on the week end and Dara had a tight game in the ACT winning on goal kicking.

the other games to be completed over the next two weeks appear to remain a secrete s there is nothing on any o9f the public forums I looked around. even checked the news letters of a couple of the usual suspects to no avail