The Colt Club Rugby action moves to Crusaders in Durban North this weekend for what promises to be an entertaining day of under-13 to under-18 rugby.
Fixtures AgeGroup Time Team U13 A 09H30 Collegians vs Varsity College U13 B 10H30 Hillcrest B vs Crusaders U15 A 11H30 Collegians vs Varsity College U16 12H40 Amanzimtoti vs Collegians U16 13H50 Varsity College vs Harlequins U18 A 15H00 Harlequins vs Collegians U18 A 16H20 Ballito A vs Crusaders AgeGroup Time Team U13 B 09H00 Ballito vs Pinetown U13 A 09H55 Harlequins vs Hillcrest A U15 B 10H50 Hillcrest B vs Amanzimtoti U15 A 11H45 Hillcrest vs Rovers U15 B 12H40 Collegians vs Queensburgh U16 13H40 Ballito vs Pinetown U18 B 15H00 Pinetown vs Queensburgh U18 B 16H15 Ballito B vs Amanzimtoti Ballito (withdrawn.)
@Pedantic: they do , superior coaching i think
@CyndiAtRugby: I’m sure you’ll see them all turning out in their school socks – and some with mixed lumo socks too, just to get the attention
Others will be there in previous years’ provincial colours just to show everyone they’ve been there, done that – it’s a stressful time for the guys (and parents) who are really keen on going on this tour, a very special week for the boys.
Interesting that the guys think Glenwood socks will give them the edge.
@Pedantic:
The boys are told that they must not wear anything which indicates their clubs as that can lead to bias or preference – surely they should also not be wearing anything which indicates their school either. E.g.Every year for trials, my son gets asked if other boys can borrow his school rugby socks.
@GreenBlooded: he wasnt a monster, just a monster rep
Bute was was bigger 
@NW_Knight: Just don’t go importing any monster front-rankers or you may find yourself without a Westville fixture :sad:
@Gungets Tuft: too cool and answer , love it
@NW_Knight: Well, we will see next year. Makes no never mind to me, it’s just that there is no heavier fall than the one you make from moral high ground.
i@NW_Knight: is it becuase you got confused by being so close to PICK AND PAY?? :razz:
@NW_Knight: so then why you guy shopping at the Club games,
:cool: :shock:
@gungets: the SA U16 comment was tongue in cheek.
@Greenblooded: It is a community school, just like WV and others who also have applicants from other areas.
@Greenhopper: Am I in a twilight zone? :shock: You already know the answers to these questions
@Pedantic: valid concerns, i really dont see , for what i gather that this process was thought out to well, this is not to take credit away form the boys and the structure, it just means that the person/s , or did the committe or chairman of the club etc, decided and go though this or was it just placed on them
@Greenhopper: Very good point there … in trials, the ball rarely gets moved around much as the players are all trying to make their mark – very difficult day for a backline who have a bunch of dominant forwards bashing it up and trying to make a name for themselves.
It’s quite possible that the wings won’t even touch the ball in an entire chukka – what do the selectors go on then? This is my only concern!
@GreenBlooded: i think your view on Clubs, at the youth level, seems to be spot on, i think parents produce the drive,
i think because of the possible influence of parents/selectors, that the option of outside selectors would be a good thing and not viewed in a negative fashion, but that’s my simplistic view, i know it is probably more complicated than that
the only possible negative view or point i can make at this point would be that the selectors are only there for the day, so to speak, and a seasons performance can’t be assessed in a bad 15 /20 minute son the field. Question would be is how much influence do the Coaches now per age group have in over ruling the selector’s choices??
I would have though the better option would have been to have independent selectors from the start of the season, working with the coaches and debating ,
@GreenHopper: No problem with parents being involved at the clubs – in fact the clubs are exclusively run by the parents unless you are attached to a Premier Division club where massive sponsorships and professional coaching resources are available to you. I can only speak for my club where we have grown to great heights both on and off the field through no other reason than dedicated parents who make it happen. We raise our own funds and make it all happen from within. There has been very little in the way of outside sponsorships for our club. The end result is that our club has become so popular that boys are coming from far and wide to join us resulting in more than 60 boys in the U12/U13 age group alone who have come to training this season.
What I aluded to above regarding parents were two very specific incidents I witnessed first hand during the 3 years I was a selector where parent-selectors interfered in the process to the benefit of their sons.
@GreenBlooded: i think at Club rugby , parents might be more involved because they can be , i think Club structures at this level might be more driven because parents work hard at it simply due to the kids ??? i hope i am right.
My source is very clear that there exists the very poignant points you have just noted. Just as it was referred to as some boys are put forward and fall like humpty dumpty , so good players are favor over club influence , I don’t think that everything all the time can be perfect , but Club should be the place for boys to grow and get away from politics in school rugby , but just maybe there is favoritism and politics in all structures of sport, I see more of this the more I read and listen to parents as well as player, but having observed this its not good
@Gungets Tuft: like i said, he mentioned he had heaps of money at NW and it was spent wisely, with a grade 1 system i wonder if it will work , sorry i am the “moron”
@Gungets Tuft: i think its be that’s being referred to here as the “moron” i can only but laugh at this simple person , shame on him, first he proclaims to be superior coaching and then gets beaten by other teams?? i think i recall that conversation here previously??am I correct???
@Gungets Tuft: I think NM Knight needs to maybe answer the following simple question, grade 1 for him I am sure
1. How where these selectors chosen,? was he in any way involved
2. Was all the club consulted on this matter
3. Was there a roll out of how this going to work and the season planned in terms of Selectors.
4. Can he name these highly trained selectors?? Lets judge
@GreenBlooded: Just drawing conclusions from the statement below :
“NW_Knight 24 August, 2012 at 18:29
So, about 10 SA HP boys in KZN schools next year?”
—————————————–
Made on the HP U16 Squad Blog here : http://schoolboyrugby.co.za/blog/?p=1097
Since there are only 4 current KZN players in there then NW_Knight must know something that we do not.
@Gungets: Last I heard, Northwood were a “community school” and completely at odds with imported players and recruitment – in fact a supporter on the 365 blog has very critical of the boys who came to Glenwood from other schools.
I can only think your informants have it wrong since it would be the height of contradiction for them to start importing players from other schools given their said opposition to this only a few months ago.
@NW_Knight: So all these new players coming to Northwood – how is that happening. You mentioned 6 (I think) from the U16 HP squad?
When is Tony leaving – end of the year?
@Gungets: Obviously not NW, as we haven’t changed headmasters yet (although soon to happen). Wish we could have that though, as very difficult to do anything without money.
@Pedantic: You are absolutely right in your description of the process. Not sure what @Greenhopper is on about, but he’s definitely confused. As far as the selectors go, they are well qualified Sharks Academy personnel who are not affiliated to any school (2 potential selectors were turned down because of their affiliation with 2 separate schools).
Other than bringing in selectors from outside the country, I don’t know what else could be done. None of these selectors are involved in junior rugby. As for the “good rumors”, it’s a figment of some moron’s overactive imagination.
@Greenhopper: My rumours talk of equal (large) amounts of wonga being given to two different schools by competing friends/business partners. I might be wrong but I hear that the offer was made a while ago and not acted on. Perhaps the change of headmasters has brought a change of heart?
I think I previously referred to it as “medical aid for schools”.
Selection – ja, well. At schools the parental influence thing has always been an issue, so not surprised to see it happening at clubs as well. The lightie gets shown up sooner or later if he cannot make the grade, then Mommy and Daddy need to put Humpty together again. Not a game I am partial to. The kids know how good (or not) they are – the parents are just fooling themselves, trying to escape some sort of mundane life through their kids :-) —— flame away…
@Pedantic: I guess we will know soon whether or not the selection system is more or less fair than it has been in the past.
In the past there have been many cases where selectors blatantly selected players from their own clubs when there were clearly better players – having been invovled in this process for 3 seasons I know this to be true.
There have even been cases of fathers on the selection panel shamelessly punting their own sons for selection and sitting in the vacinity of the selector of their son’s position and criticising rival players in a attempt to influence the selector.
I just hope that what is being done is in the best interests of selecting the best possible team and that it is not simply another guise of the same thing.
@Greenhopper: Believe me, if what you say is true – this is not the first school to use Club Rugby for scouting & recruitment – Glenwood, George Campbell and Port Natal have all been very active there in the past.
I don’t have a problem with it, as long as they are looking at Under 13’s and not luring players away from their current schools.
I coached a junior IPT team in the past and just about every single player in the squad was offered something from the various schools based on their performances – this was when the IPT was held in Durban.
@Greenhopper: Let me explain the process for the benefit of everyone – I understand you should be aware of it already.
Each age group has a coaching team appointed – Head Coach, Ass. Coach and Manager – this team has been watching the respective league matches through the season and have identified 2 players per position to invite to trials. (Sadly, certain coaches haven’t been very dedicated in this quest and have left the task to the other coaches in their team)
The club coaches can then nominate a limited number of players they feel have the potential to make the provincial sides – these are added to the 30 selected above – theoretically that should leave a group of 45 – 50 players who participate at trials in front of the independent selectors who will then select the final 22 to go on tour.
So effectively, the majority of the teams will be made up of players identified by the coaching team during the season – the only snag being, if a key player has a bad day at final trials he could be excluded – possible, but unlikely.
@Pedantic: if they were they all season it would be fine, as stated above i think there is more to this especially with the relations i have eastablished
@beet: hi i believe there is a place for independant selectors, i have been researching this this afternoon and finding out so sthi i believe there is a place for independent selectors, i have been researching this this afternoon and finding out so stuff on this , it appears that these selectors are only in for the day,
My Understanding is that they are affiliated to a Particular school and Club based near Pick and Pay. It would appear that a exco member of the DRSU , has influence over a certain Durban North School, is instrumental in the extradition of a Previous Coach and the introduction of a New Coach at a school.
Good rumor has it that this school has some funds which are being used to “procure players’ and against all the existing structures is using Club Rugby to do Scouting and Recruitment , Certain players have already been approached , that are from other schools and are being lured to this Durban North School.
It would appear that the School has influence on these selectors at the IPT and hence will be an off sides environment .
If these selectors had been involved since the start I would suggest that they could then be unbiased and select correctly , I don’t see how this can be done on a single viewing of players ??
Something seems to be ‘smelly”
uff on this , it appears that these slectors are only in for teh day
@GreenBlooded: Performance during the season is what gets the players invited to trials … the selectors don’t know any of the players so it all comes down to performance in that very important chukka
I think the majority of the top players will be identified unless they have a nightmare on the day.
HEAD HONCHOS
@GreenBlooded: @Pedantic: It sucks how guys who have no time for you for 364 days of the year are suddenly made head honcho for day number 365.
Oh Dear – that doesn’t sound good. I just hope that they are truely independant and not aligned to any particular club and that performance during the season is also considered – anyone can have a bad day at trials.
@beet: Somehow I don’t think your prayers are being answered! Must say I share a similair concern.
@GreenBlooded: Man I pray the Sharks have nothing to do with the appointment of this independent panel. :neutral:
Well done to College Rovers on winning the double again this year. Good luck at Nationals.
@Greenhopper: IPT Trials are at VC this weekend. Don’t know any other details – seems like they won’t be using club coaches as selectors like in previous years but an independent panel so hopefully this means that the best players will be selected. I don’t have any details on who will make up the panel.
@Greenhopper: re reading this i meant the u18 ‘s enquiry
regards
@Pedantic: where are the IPT trials happening?? and do you have a schedule for these . and how does it work , selection ??
@Greenhopper: Ok, in that case – predictions for league finals (that will give you 1st and 2nd) :???:
U13A – Hillcrest vs Collegians
U13B – Hillcrest vs Crusaders
U15A – Hillcrest vs Collegians
U15B – Hillcrest vs Ballito
U16 – Collegians vs Varsity College
U18A – Harlequins vs Ballito
The problem with both B league finals is that Hillcrest need to field two teams with their opposition only fielding one – really stretching the depth of the teams – a pity U13B and U15B are not U12 and U14 respectively – then I would put a large wager on Hillcrest all-to-come.
The way it is now, you will find Hillcrest fielding a full U14 team vs Ballito’s U15’s and Hillcrest U12’s vs Crusaders U13’s – a bit of a stretch.
I sincerely hope the powers-that-be enforce a rule of all players in the finals having played 2 league matches for their teams, else you find all kinds of last minute imports arriving at the finals – I’ve seen that before :shock:
@Pedantic: will be an interesting result then
@Pedantic: same, i meant who would be 2nd??
i have made enquiries on the , seems that each team will play each other twice and then there will be play offs 1 and 2nd and the 3rd and 4th , so there will be a league final
@GreenBlooded: then this side will certainly win , very good, boys seem to really know what they are doing , could give a few u14 sides at schools a run
@Greenhopper: As far as I know, two of the U13A Hillcrest front row are on their way to Kearsney
I don’t understand what you mean by “same” ?
Under 16 … I honestly can’t see any team getting the upper hand over Collegians – it’s a team that’s been together for some time now and just going from strength to strength with several GK players there. Brilliantly coached too – I think they will be unbeaten this year.
Under 18 … looks like Harlequins or Ballito – a pity there is no league final in that age group coz that would be a cracker!
@Greenhopper: The Hillcrest U13A team you saw on Sunday was only half strength. We had our regular locks and one loose forward playing in the B team. The regular 9/10 and 13/14 were also in the B team.
@Greenhopper:
u13 a will be 2nd
u13 b same
u15 A same and u15b, u16 and u18 ?
just to put you on the spot
that front row of the Hillcrest u13 a , great, i see some going to college and others to Glenwood, That big running number 8 seems good , Hillcrest here have the power in the Forwards, good running pack, but that front row for me , where tremendous
u16 , If Ballito can hold the team together they might compete against Collegians, I don’t know the others in the league , How are the VC side? What was the Hillcrest –VC score or have they played?
U18 , I see Collegians nearly had Harlequins, 12 – 10 with moments to go then a well worked try from Harlequins at the end. Very good standard of Rugby. I heard that Ballito Came from behind to beat Crusaders 22- 17 after being 17 – 5 down at half time, I don’t think Ballito have hit their stride yet , but see they have beaten Collegians and Crusaders? And only just lost to Harlequins, I see they have another round to play , but Collegians have three loses to date and no wins , Crusaders not sure what they have done to date , but pulled out of the Harlequins game last Sunday and face an immediate 5 point penalty, and now a loss , I don’t think they will recover Ballito I see got the win and the bonus point against Crusaders so Should be between them for 1st Spot
Rumor Mill out from my son is that the Harlequins coach was at Glenwood last week, signing up 2nd team and 1st team players, as late as Thursday last week,
What are the Club rules relating to that ?
@Greenhopper: Maybe as a spectator in the stands but he is surely not eligible for selection having not played a single game this season?
@Pedantic: A lot of “Hillcrest” in your posting above. Superior coaching perhaps?
will Staples be making an appearance at the trials??
@Greenhopper:
Front-runners IMO
U13A – Hillcrest
U13B – Hillcrest
U15A – Hillcrest
U15B – Hillcrest, but Ballito look like they’re beefing up their side and could be tough later in the season.
U16 – Collegians
U18 – Harlequins
Hopefully the results / logs will be updated this week sometime – they should reflect pretty much what I’ve mentioned above.
Provincial trials this weekend should be interesting – a pity that regular club players Webster and Mngadi won’t be available due to SA U16 High Performance camp.
interesting , any scores and logs todate ??
who are the top runners in follwoing
u13 a
u13b
u14/15 a
u14/15b
u16
u18b
u18a
comments would be appreciate
Crusaders club should be commended for good organisation too. It was such a pleasure to have parking on the field and such a clean venue throughout the day – although I did feel the guy clearing litter was a tad too enthusiastic when he started checking the cupholders and pockets of my chair for litter
Good luck to all the boys for DRSU trials this weekend.
@Pedantic: Got to agree. It was really nice watching the running rugby. There are some really good skills and pace in both the U16 and U18 leagues.
Some very good rugby at Crusaders today :cool:
The Quins vs Collegians Under 18 match was a real treat with Quins getting the upper hand in a close match.
The Quin’s open play prowess and counter attack was what got them the win – impressive!