Day 1 – Australian Schools National Championships

The 41st Sebel Australian Schools Rugby Union Championships started today at St Ignatius’ College, Riverview, in Sydney.

NSW I 50 Victoria 17

   by “Huge Jarse”

There was a slight dew on the surface of a resplendent-looking ground at St Ignatius’ College Riverview when the NSW 1st XV (NSW I) and Victorian (Vic) teams ran out under cool calm and overcast conditions to kick off the 2015 National Schoolboys Championships.

First half

With 19. M Girdler running on as the starting No 8 for NSW I, Coach Gill had deployed a team with more skyscrapers than there is in the Sydney CBD, and this tactic bore fruit in the second lineout of the game where “The CBD” stole Vic ball.

After a period of sustained possession, NSW I 13. Simon Kennewell scampered in from 40 metres out after a simple but well-worked set piece “skip 1” movement following a lineout victory, and he scored what was to be the try of the tournament to that time. From a very handy angle, 9. Harrison Goddard added the extra points and it was NSW I 7 – 0.

After camping down in the Vic 22 metre for about a further eight minutes when Vic struggled to get any possession, or to clear their 22, NSW I 10. McGregor scooted in for a try about five metres to the left of the posts, and the extras were added from Goddard’s boot. NSW I 12 – Vic 0.

After the Vics kicked off again, it was more of the same and they found themselves once again defending in their own quarter. The greater bulk of the NSW I forwards was beginning to tell, and such was their confidence that NSW I were opting to take scrums instead of kicks to touch when awarded penalties.

After 16 minutes, and one phase off such a scrum option, NSW I got their third meat pie after 8. Lachlan Anderson burrowed over the chalk line under the Vic defences off an short inside pop ball from 9 Goddard. His Oakhill College team mate, 9. Goddard had his first miss at goal of the game and the score was 19 – 0 after 18 minutes.

Shortly after this Vic 15. Joshua Coward (playing as halfback) put a kick through and showed off some of the blistering acceleration he has in the kick-chase. NSW I were penalised and Vic finally had the ball on attack deep in the NSW red zone. For the first time in the match they managed to maintain possession for multiple phases, and after three darts at the line under penalty advantage, the Vics recycled the ball for 15. Coward to fire a wide ball out to 11. Oisin Clarken in space to open the account for the Victorians. The conversion attempt from three metres from touch just fell short and the score remained NSW I 19 Vic 5 with 23 minutes elapsed.

Normal service in their own half resumed for the Vics for the rest of the half, and with 3 minutes to go to Oranges, the fourth NSW I try was awarded from under a pile of bodies: 19. Max Girdler came up with the ball for his first try of the tournament. 9 Goddard failed to add the extras and 3 minutes later the teams broke for oranges with the score at 24 – 5 in NSW I favour.

NSW I had enjoyed most of the field position and they had the lions share of possession. This dominance was reflected on the scoreboard.

Second half

From their kick off, Vic went onto attack, and drew a penalty for NSW I for going off their feet at the breakdown. Following a strong carry by Vic 5. Robert Leota, 15 Coward spun the ball wide for his Youth Rugby 7’s mate 14. Nicholas Donghi to open his try scoring account. The conversion was unsuccessful and the score moved on to NSW I 24 Vic 10.

NSW Coaches started to make changes to the team from the bench, starting by rotating his props. Normal service resumed as NSW I managed to maintain possession for multiple phases, alternating between forward runners in the inside channels and wide passes to their hard running backs. A combination of stout Vic defence and some inaccurate passing kept the score from increasing for another six minutes.

After seven minutes NSW I opted for a scrum following the Vics being penalised for not releasing the tackled player. 14. Sepesa Loga-Tarogi set himself up on the shoulder of 10. McGregor and when 9. Goddard passed the ball to 10. McGregor, 14 Loga-Tarogi took the ball at pace and bullocked his way over the chalk for the Blues first try of the second act. 9. Goddard converted to take the score to NSW I 31 Vic 5.

Both teams ran on more subs and five minutes later it is the turn of 15. Tom Wright to get his name on the try scorers register with another simple set piece converted try. NSW 38 – Vic 5. 15 minutes into the second stanza and replacement 20. Mila Hingano scored near the left touch line for NSW I. 10. McGregor was unable to add the extras leaving the score at NSW I 43 Vic 10.

With the game well and truly won, NSW I seemed to lose some concentration and passes were going astray, destroying some promising moves. Nearly all the second half had been played in the Vic 1/2. NSW I closed their account after 26 1/2 minutes when burly centre 13. Kennewell received the ball after some quick hands put him into a space that he hit with great velocity and he crossed the line untouched to get his second try for the day. 10. McGregor added the extra points to bring up the NSW I half century.

With the game almost up Vic 15. Coward pounced on a loose NSW pass and scooted down field at a great rate of knots and it was only desperation defence from NSW I 23. Blaise Barnes that prevented a try being scored. In doing so he became the first player of the tournament to be shown a Yellow Card, in this instance it was for cynical infringing. The last act of the game featured Vic 15. Coward regathering a chip and chase to ghost under the posts for a 7 point try. He converted his own try and Sir blew the Acme Thunderer to end the game with the final score being NSW I 50 – Vic 17.

The players

Players who took my eye were:
NSW I– 10. McGregor, 9. Goddard, 8. Anderson, 13. Kennewell, 6. Gittoes, 20. Hingano

Victoria – 15. Coward, 2. Sauni, 5. Leota, 11. Clarken

The wrap up

NSW I looked well-drilled and their big forward pack got plenty of front foot ball for their hard running back line who confidently moved the ball wide and fast to continually ask questions of the Victorian defence. They totally dominated both possession and position and strangled the Victorians out of the game. The score could have been even greater if they had been more accurate and patient in attack with far too many unforced errors.

Victoria did look dangerous on the limited occasions when they were able to maintain possession for more than a couple of phases, making good use of the pace from their Rugby 7’s programme players. Despite being outsized in the forwards and backs, several runners troubled their northern opponents and had they been able to secure more ball, the score could have been significantly different.

The slightly moist conditions wouldn’t have helped handling but at times both teams were guilty of needlessly pushing passes that didn’t stick. The coaches will be expecting to see marked improvements in handling from both teams on Wednesday.

NSW I have confirmed their favouritism, and the Vics should be troublesome opponents for their other pool games.

The scoring

NSW I 50 (13 S Kennewell (2), 10 J McGregor, 8 L Anderson, 19 M Girdler, 14, S Loga-Tarogi, 15 T Wright, 20 M Hingano tries; 9 H Goddard 4 cons, 10 J McGregor con) def. Victoria 17 (15 J Coward, 14 N Donghi, 11 O Clarken tries; 15 J Coward con)