Apropos of my earlier post of whom the Tahs should be hiring for their academies, I am conscious of the new ARU regime for academy players.
In that context: how good was 19 y.o. LHP Pat Sio for Northern Suburbs, who I recommended as a Tahs pro academy signing, scrummaging against Sydney Uni last Saturday. I must confess that I didn't watch every scrum with a forensic exactitude, but he looked very good in the ones I did remember to look at. Incidentally, an ex-backrower, he is handy around the park.
Apparently, and correct me if I am wrong because I don't know one way or the other, but the ARU will be responsible for the training of all academy players and will decide which Super outfit they will play for. One wonders if a fellow like Sio, who has already played for the Junior Tahs, will be obliged to move to another city.
Interesting, though maybe it's a storm in a teacup and I am wrong about the matter. But it would be good to know for sure if a player does offer himself for ARU training if he has any control over his destiny - or not.
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