NPR

I haven't seen a thread here but am always interested in seeing how schools players are doing. Post clips here.

Wanted to share because I'm hoping HBHS flanker Maximus Lestro (dad a big fan of Gladiator, no doubt!) will hopefully join the list of pros with the best name!



Went looking for the spelling and found a roster for the Chiefs region camp... this other lad's just a reserve, so we're not as likely to see him in future, but how's about the name Diesel Lee Jakeman (St Peter’s School, Cambridge)

all ofa sudden, naming ur kids Leicester and Team after the club you played for seems less funny :P

New Plymouth vs Rotorua ... the size of NPBH's front row! I think at one point the ref gives a pen advantage for a shoulder charge, but it looks more like the 'tackled' player simply bounced off an immovable wall. Rotorua might have stolen their last try.

Of players in the English schools game last year Orlando Bailey (10 - Beechen Cliff/Bath) and Cassius Cleaves (wing - Wellington College/Quins) get a decent amount of hype. Fin Baxter as well (TH - Wellington College/Quins).

Cleaves still has a year to go in school I think. Some highlights here



Probably mentioned him before, but I'm personally looking forward to seeing how Tarek Haffar gets on in the pro game. Recent convert to LH from 8, who's a lot of fun to watch ball in hand. No highlight reel, but here's a few snippets of him carrying for St Pauls and LI U18s

Sometimes I wonder why these big (for schools rugby) lads aren't put in the midfield more rather than on the wing? If their pace is electric and that's where they'd likely be in the pros, fair enough, but even if... having them play at least some of the time in the middle forces them to develop another skillset. I don't want to knock what wingers do, but it always seemed easier to move from midfield to wing if you had the pace than wing into midfield if you didn't have the vision, handling, defensive coordination skills.

I remember USA U20s one year had an incredibly elusive lad at 12 who he seemingly beat the first defender every time with footwork and/or pace. A real weapon that maybe didn't get used enough as (guessing) he was newer to it and not the best at setting up teammates ... though Yanks aren't traditionally great at support running either.

It's funny seeing a lot of teams now with 6'2"+ wingers and smaller centres. :)

May be wrong, but I think Cleaves has played a bit at 9 interestingly.

But yeah, very much a trend for big wings and normal sized centres. Some will come down to skillset. If a kid is never going to be a great passer of the ball, then centre may not be the right place.

Super 8 Final

Scots College v St Pats Silverstream ... some chatter in the comments about how many boys will be on scholarship at Scots. Any insight here?