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ADDED MONDAY 25/08/08
2008 UNDER 16 STUFF The Queensland Under 16 programme is well under way now, with two trial days now done and gone, and a serious round of cuts about to come (I believe). I understand also that a number of contenders last Saturday were quite severely affected by the flu, so the intended programme may change a little bit to accommodate them fairly back into the programme. Weren't there just some Qld Rugby heavyweights on hand on Saturday, Paul Carozza, Matthew Taylor (academy heads) and just about anyone who is anyone in there at Qld Rugby headquarters, running here and there, doing this and that. Before the games got underway, I had a brief discussion with the referees for the day, where I aired my feelings on increasing the violence levels in the game. I noted a spinning kick that I saw on the wrestling the previous night (WWE not Olympics) delivered with force and gusto to the back of the head, and an over the top vertical elbow, delivered down the front of the face. Both techniques would have merit in having players release the football in the collision zone. I think I got through to these guys, both of them seemed to be in agreement with the concepts, with one even calling for my elevation to CEO of rugby Australia, based simply on these two innovative ideas. (For those that take everything too seriously, the previous paragraph is a poor attempt at humour, so save your typing fingers, and don't email). Now for the trial matches, didn't stay for the whole day, but I thought the Downs boys of Bermingham, Reuter, Gough and Jensen trialled pretty well. Bermingham delivered one stinging hit, as did Reuter. Not sure in The Bermingham hit, why the guy ran straight at him, but he did, and paid the price, got smashed. I didn't get to see too much of the other Downs lad, Brandon Purcell, it all gets a bit blurry at times. We'll know soon how many of these guys are to continue on, and it is not for me to speculate on that, more hope, but time will tell and we will wait and see. Some talented looking lads jetted in from North Qld, one running at Fullback, and another at 13 looking the complete packages, and no doubt applying some serious pressure to what one could only describe as "more fancied company". I'm probably about trialled out, so may not show up again for a while, no doubt much to the delight of all the officials, I will see which and how many Downs lads are left after this week, before I make a final decision on my next Saturday's programme, as we move towards the pointy end of the job. Looking forward to the next installment, no doubt there will be plenty of speculation over the next week as to who should be and who shouldn't be, not sure why people get involved in that rubbish, but they do, can't help themselves. |
