Rugby Report: Welcome to Term 3 2017

From the Convenor of Rugby, John McCoy

Welcome back!

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome all students and families back to Term 3! It definitely shapes up to be an exciting few weeks of rugby remaining, as the 2017 season draws to an end.

 

Representative Selections

It is with great delight that I would like to recognise and congratulate the following players who have been selected in both state and national teams:

• 2017 Australian Schoolboys – Ben Donaldson, Finn Wright, Luca Moretti
• 2017 Australian Schoolboys Barbarians – Marco Bell
• NSW I – Ben Donaldson, Luca Moretti, Brooklyn Hardaker, Will Johnston
• NSW II – Liam Cornish, Marco Bell, Finn Wright, Harry Whiteman
• Combined States – Joel Ellis, Will McCormick
• U/16 NSW 2^nd XV – Conor Molloy
• U/16 Sydney Juniors – Marco Moretti

2017 will go down in the Waverley College history books as one of the most successful in relation to representative selections. Credit must be paid to those players who have dedicated so much time and effort to get to these representative positions.

Special mention to our 1^st XV coaches, Mr Scott Coleman and Mr Paul Cornish, who have guided these students in the right direction on and off the playing field. Thanks must also be given to the supportive families who have sacrificed a great deal to ensure the boys are well supported on their journey.

I would like to acknowledge those other players in the Waverley College Opens teams, particularly the 2^nd XV, who have helped in driving this year to be so successful. The spirit within the playing group has been so positive, and while each player involved pushes each other, they play for each other. This is a significant reason behind the success of the 1^st XV and representative honours.

 

Holiday Games

Over the holiday period our 15As and 1^st XV enjoyed matches against touring schools from New Zealand. The 15As went very close to recording a victory against Trident High School from Whakatane, just going down 19-14 in pouring rain.

Our 1^st XV, while resting a few players, enjoyed a 50-21 victory against Mount Roskill Grammar from Auckland. Unlike the 15s match, this game was played in superb conditions.

Both teams will benefit from these matches, as the CAS competition resumes in Term 3. Added to this was the fact that our boys were able to enjoy some passionate Hakas as well as some incredible singing from both visiting sides – who sang to both teams at the conclusion of each match.

Thanks to the coaching staff including Lachlan Drew-Morris (15As), Nicholas Guerrera (15Cs), Paul Cornish (1^st XV), Scott Coleman (1^st XV), Kyle Newbury (2^nd XV) as well as all those other coaches who completed training sessions over the break. Thanks also to Blake Thorn and Mr Stephen O’Donnell for their fantastic assistance in referring both matches, as well as all those parents who came along to support the games.

 

CAS Round 3 Vs Barker College

CAS rugby resumes this weekend, with a big round against Barker College. Our 13s, 16s and Opens will be playing up at Hornsby, while our 14s and 15s will be playing at home.

Barker, along with Waverley and Knox, still remain undefeated in the 1^st XV CAS Competition. Barker have plenty of talent in the side with a number of players selected in the NSW Schoolboys representative teams. At Hornsby, they are sure to be a big challenge for the Double V who will need to switch on for this encounter.

 

Presentation Night – Save the Date

The Waverley College Presentation Night will be held on Friday 11^th August. This will be for players and families in Years 7-12, with a special presentation to be made to Years 5 & 6 on a separate occasion. More details will be published in the coming weeks.

 

Gold Coast Rugby Tournament

Over the holiday period, some Waverley College players were involved with their club teams at the Gold Coast Rugby Tournament. I am pleased to say that Tony Unsworth (Year 7) and Lucas Young (Junior School) enjoyed some success with the South Coogee Devils team. This team won the Under 12 – 10 a side Rugby Tournament. They also were able to face up against their first Haka from the New Zealand touring teams, which was exciting for the boys.

 

Good luck to all teams in Term 3!

WAVERLEY TO WIN!