2021 School rugby
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@stargazer I don't know if you have seen them too but I have been watching Herschel Fruean's YT videos of his top 5 in each position. Granted it is only his opinion, and he has stated that a few players might be better suited to another position and selected them there. He would watch more 1st XV footage than anyone else, so at least he couldn't be accused of ignoring players from lesser schools. Which brings me to my point, his top-rated centre is a player from Pukekohe HS, which I doubt many have seen play, myself included.
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@bovidae I'm not entirely trusting his opinion, because he uses some kind of rating system (I think used for American basketball, but he refuses to explain it on his page) and he's been (very) wrong before about players, but it's interesting nevertheless.
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@bovidae Just watched Herschel Fruean's video on his top number 8s. He doesn't even mention Cooper Flanders, who IMO is one of the best - if not the best - in the country in 1st XV. Hard to take him seriously. Almost all he talks about is how the players he's picked would be good in league ...
Edit: haha, he has picked him as his top openside flanker, although he's never played there for Hastings Boys'. Although I think it would be a good idea to move him to 7, it's a weird selection.
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@stargazer He also says a few of the shorter no.8s would make better hookers going forward. From watching the videos he has mostly excluded any player already committed to RL, which the NZS coaches will too.
Flanders doesn't look as big as his brother so a move to 7 might be his best option. Torian Barnes would be the blindside and Wrampling-Alec is a beast at no.8 so putting Flanders at openside would make a good loose forward trio in a NZS team.
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Cooper Flanders indeed isn't as tall as Devan, but Devan was just as skinny at school. I've been saying for over a year that I'd like to see him at openside, but said that with the Magpies in mind (the 6 and 8 spot already taken by MMT and his brother).
I don't know how old he is/which year at school he's in, he may still have a year to go in the Hastings 1st XV, but blindside Kaihau Pasikala is going to be one to watch. He seems to have grown a lot in one year and might become a massive unit, exactly what you want in a blindside. Also improved a lot as a player and a really exciting prospect, just like his 17-year old sister, a centre, who is already in her second year for the Hawke's Bay Tui.
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I think Pasikala is mentioned in the blindside video, and mentions what year the players are.
Herschel also selects Che Clarke as his no.1 lock but he will definitely be a blindside at higher levels, unless he has a further growth spurt. Sometimes they just want the best players on the field in a NZS team so you see centres on the wing, 1st 5s at fullback, etc.
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Just read the statement from the Hurricanes Youth Rugby Council. It looks like the semifinals and finals for the Hurricanes Cup may still be going ahead. Not strange, considering 3 of the 4 semi-finalists were already known, despite the Wellington Premiership final not being played. Known finalists are Hastings Boys, St Pat's Silverstream and Scots College.
The 4th was to be decided by the challenger game that was cancelled between Napier Boys' and Palmerston North Boys' (challenger). If they can't play that challenger game, I assume Napier Boys will be the 4th finalist, considering 1) they finished higher on the Super 8 table than Palmy Boys and 2) they won the Polson Banner game.
The draw for the Hurricanes' semi-finals and final is still under consultation with the schools and will be published later this week.
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It looks like the normal Hurricanes Cup Final will NOT be played, this year.
The current Hurricanes region schedule (not sure whether it's the final version) includes two Regional Secondary Schools (boys) semi-finals, to be played on Saturday, 18 September:
Hastings Boys' v Lindisfarne College
Napier Boys' v Palmerston North Boys'The Final will be played on Saturday, 25 September.
I read on the Scots College FB page that the Wellington Premiership Final will be played on Sunday, 26 September.
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Counties Manukau to call off remainder of Secondary Schools Season
Uncertainty around COVID Alert Levels has forced the abandonment of the Counties Manukau Secondary Schools Rugby competition for 2021.
With the continued uncertainty of when the wider Auckland Region will drop down Alert levels and Return to Play protocols, which mean rugby is only permitted at Level 2 (requiring periods of training before any contact can be allowed) and the considerations that the Union is now faced with entering Representative and 7s rugby season, the tough decision has been made to end the remainder of the season.
The Counties Manukau Rugby Union and Counties Manukau Secondary Schools Executive Committee have determined the outcome for their rugby competitions in 2021
There will be no formal results for the 2021 season with no completed season for our grades.
CMRFU would like to acknowledge the school teams who were leading the points table as at the conclusion of the season:
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list itemChampionship: Pukekohe High School 1st XV
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list itemUnder 15 Boys Open: Wesley College White
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list itemGirls 10’s: Rosehill College
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your efforts over the season,” CMRFU said in a release to the schools.
“The opportunity to bring some of our school teams home has been a bonus for our competitions and community in supporting local talent. The competitions have allowed exciting challenges moving forward into 2022 and beyond for our schools. When COVID-19 Alert Levels allow, we will hold our end of season secondary schools meeting where your input can be tabled.
“We believe that it is important that we acknowledge the efforts and achievements of all. While this news will be disappointing given the timing, the health and safety of all participants is imperative.
Counties Manukau Rugby wish to pass on their appreciation to all players, coaches, families, and volunteers this season and thank the community as a whole for your ongoing support and passion towards Secondary schools rugby.
Looking ahead, we look forward to finish the 2021 year strong with the hopes of Rugby 7s, Representative campaigns, Club of origin, PAC 7s and Junior tournament week which all provide “opportunities for our secondary schools.”
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My old School, Onewhero Area School made the top four which is a great achievement for a smaller school. It looks like they defaulted the last few games, they must have had injuries. Pukekohe High School is the big dog out of the schools that play in Counties. For some grades, teams play in the Auckland competitions.
