The Sydney Morning Herald published an important story for the Australian rugby community, reporting Nick Farr-Jones’ call for “drastic changes” to the GPS rugby competition.
A former Wallaby captain, a successful businessman and the current chairman of NSW Rugby, Farr-Jones has questioned the GPS rugby format in the light of a 101 – 0 monstering of Newington C0llege (Farr-Jones’ old school) by Scots.
Scots scored 15 tries and one parent was quoted as saying that the performance was “like watching the All Blacks, it was so beautifully put together.”
Farr-Jones made the argument that there is nothing character-forming in being beaten by a margin like this, nor in winning by such a margin.
He says that private schools should cap the number of athletes on sports scholarships to ensure that all the teams remain somewhat competitive. Only about 20 per cent of, say, a First XV should be on scholarships.
NSW Rugby, he says, is looking at replacing GPS rugby with a “broader and more balanced” competition that includes other schools and junior rugby clubs. The proposal has won support from “some schools and clubs” he said.
I would take a bet, although I am a non-betting Greek, that the schools that have not supported the proposal will be the GPS schools. These schools have always ignored the pressures to fall into line with other schools on their rugby competition.
As a father of boys who went to Sydney Boys High, a founding GPS school, I was very fond of GPS rugby. That was before the savage and costly recruitment systems that are now in place.
There was some recruitment of talented players, of course, but it was restricted and not unduly alarming until Scots recruited a virtual First XV to win the GPS tournament in 1993, their centennial year.
Now apparently the recruiting is rampant with Scots, again, leading the charge. But, apparently, they are not alone.
The owner of our local deli has a son who plays rugby at Waverley College. His lad’s team has a star player who they say will be another Israel Folau. Newington, apparently, has made the youngster an offer he won’t refuse. And so it goes on.
The recruiting part of the equation is the least worst aspect of the GPS rugby malaise. If kids are talented athletes and come from families who can’t afford to give them a GPS education, then there is some sense in them converting their athletic talents into a very good education.
It is the snobbery and isolationism of the GPS rugby set-up that has always worried me. In the past, for instance, Joeys wouldn’t change the time when their First XV played on a Saturday, even though it meant that the boys couldn’t attend a Wallaby Test match in Sydney being played at the same time.
I once wrote in a rugby column for the SMH that boys from Shore formed a cheering-corridor for their First XV when they played Sydney Boys High at Moore Park. The Shore headmaster sent an angry letter to me demanding an immediate correction on the grounds that Shore boys did not form cheering-corridors. I refused because I had seen what happened, as one of my sons (a publisher of The Roar) was a reserve halfback for the SBHS First XV, behind Chris Whitacker.
The matter was taken to higher authorities at the SMH. I suppose I was lucky I didn’t get six of the best with the cane for my impertinence in telling the truth.
Anticipating a huge resistance from the GPS schools, what I think should happen is this.
NSW Rugby, with the initiative coming from Farr-Jones, a giant of Australian rugby, should set up a city-wide rugby competition involving schools which want to take part.
My guess is that some of the GPS schools would join and others might not. Too bad for those who don’t want to join. It would only be a matter of time, and a short time at that, before they join the new competitions.
The model I would use is that used in Christchurch, New Zealand. They have an elite grade of 10 schools who play each other. These teams also play their traditional in town and out of town rivals on Wednesday afternoons or after the city competition is over.
In Sydney, you could have 12 schools that would play each other in the Australian manner down through each of the grades. Then this model would be replicated with other groups of schools, possibly based on a geographical basis, to embrace all of the secondary schools in Sydney.
You could have a promotion-relegation system to refresh each particular competition and to allow for the rise of a new power in school rugby.
The changing sociology of rugby that has come in with professional rugby is the driving force for this change that NSW Rugby is looking at. There was a time, and it was not that long ago, when the GPS schools in Sydney and Brisbane provided most of the Wallabies. Until recently, Joeys provided 1 in 15 of all the Wallabies.
The era of professional rugby started in 1996. Since then, the Wallabies have become a far more diverse group of players, both in social and genetic backgrounds. The rugby competitions for the future Wallabies needs to reflect this change.
NSW Rugby could also offer a place in the new competition to one or several of the traditional rugby league high schools. In Christchurch, the reverse is applied. Aranui High School, as well as being the leading league school, has had a place in the local rugby competition. Chris Jack, the noted second rower of a decade ago, was an Aranui old boy who graduated to the Crusaders and the All Blacks.
It should not be beyond the wit of rugby administrators, too, to organise a series of rugby sevens tournaments for the schools before the main rugby tournament starts. Rugby sevens is a vehicle for emerging talent to be fast-tracked into the professional game, something done very well in New Zealand.
GPS rugby served NSW and Australia superbly for over 100 years. But it is an elitist format now that no longer serves the best interests of boys who want to play rugby or the game itself, as it battles with all the other codes for support and players.
Nick Farr-Jones’ comments about the failures of the GPS model are spot-on. Reform is needed. Hopefully, the GPS schools will come on board, or some of them will. But a new rugby competition for Sydney is needed.
I am sure that readers of The Roar would like to express their views on what this competition should be.
We will make sure that Nick Farr-Jones gets to read the collective wisdom of The Roar on this important issue.
PJB
Guest
The same reason former Waratah & Scotland coach Matt Williams has taken on the MIC of Rugby @ Knox & 1stXV coach, on a reported $250,000 a year salary.
Bakkies
Guest
Kick offs shouldn't be changed so kids can attend test matches? Of course they should be. School kids attended test matches in the past and they are future paid supporters of the game.
Tinfoil Hat
Guest
Expansion is a no-go. Can't let the rif-raf in.
Tony
Guest
I have a son at Sydney Grammar, who played Scotts Today (not the first team I might add). I also watched highlights of the Scotts Newington game. The Scotts game is built on a Pod system & giant wingers. It was the backs that carved Newington up. Newington also had 7 or so first choice players out. I saw a number of scrums where Newington had parity or dominance. So it was not forward size in Scotts favour (ie. what Nick Farr-jones was suggesting). I also understand last year Newington had 2 giant Islander centres, now playing League, so that suggestion is the pot calling the kettle black. It was more like the game the Crusaders beat the Tahs 96-16 where every break resulted in a try. That being said, both these schools clearly recruit heavily and train heavily. Schools like Sydney Grammar & Sydney boys high dropped out a few years ago. The greater concern going forward is that Joeys & Shore, rugby heartland, cannot compete in the player arms race. The GPS rugby competition is now a joke. It is also interesting that in rowing, Shore dominate. But if you go down to Mosman rowing club, you are far more likely to find boys from Grammar rowing after school rowing ends - Shore burns up their passion for the sport. So we need to ask what is the purpose of sport in schools? In my view, school sport should be sport, teaching character lessons that sport can and team work, not a quasi professional competition for the glory of old boys. If one believes that for the best players, it should be a pathway to professional sport like rugby, then an expanded competition will help - they do not actually end up playing many games in the GPS system (14 at most including trials, banned from playing club rugby, an enlarged system will help them have proper grading). By contrast in NZ, my friend's son in Wellington gets at least 30 games per year. If you believe in the 10,000 hour rule to any degree, this will make a big difference. I also agree with the comments about Sevens - builds the skills and fitness.
Ret
Guest
Any school that receives substantial public funding is no longer "independent".
Christo the Daddyo
Guest
I think it's a different Johnno...;)
Stephen Jackson
Guest
As an old boy from Joeys I also agree with you Spiro. More schools from Sydney's Western districts need a opportunity to play at the highest School Boy level if we are ever going to be on a level playing field with Rugby League. The root cause of poor deals over Television rights is we are not popular enough. This in-balance must be addressed at the schoolboy level. Many Marist Schools elect Rugby League over Rugby Union and a great nurseries for the NRL. If the opportunity to shine is in place more of these School's Principals may switch to Union. The concept of pathways to the top being obvious must be a significant factor in anyone choosing to play any sport including Rugby. Many years ago the Ella Brothers and their La Peruse mates whipped Joeys best in a friendly. It became a legendary story but could be the norm if the comp you suggest is implemented. Good fast running Rugby Union is a much better game for school boys than Rugby League because each of 15 positions have quite unique skill sets and this creates a potentially deeper team dynamic.
Thomas McLean
Roar Rookie
I went to Joeys so I will obviously be called biased and have Kurtley's name thrown up but what TSC have done to the GPS is incredibly sad. Good schools will always attract good talent. Shore have attracted good rowers. Riverview, athletes and Joeys, rugby players. TKS a bit of everything. TSC on the other hand have a FREKKKIN HYPOBARIC CHAMBER to allow their students (read athletes) recover better. Now I don't know where the line is but this is clearly across it No need to look at your watch at 3:15pm every Saturday afternoon. RIP GPS Footy. Let's hope it goes onto something else, without TSC
OneJayBee
Roar Rookie
The irony about NFJs call for a limit on scholarships is that (and I was told this "by a good authority" so am happy to hear real facts in response) Newingtons premiership 1st XV last year had ONE player whose parents were paying fees?? As another post mentioned, the Crusaders put 96 on the Waratahs in a year the Tahs made the finals so big scores can happen to any team when one teams planets are in alignment and the others aren't..... If you check the Youtube video, the NC pack don't seem to be getting pushed around too much... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVKDL-nLl3k&list=WL&index=4
Double Agent
Guest
I don't really see how a graded Sydney wide comp would make any difference. Ist grade would be GPS or a mix of GPS and CAS. 2nd and 3rd grade would be the other less strong rugby schools. If Scots can put a 100 on Newington what do you think they could do to Marist College Eastwood for example. (No offence!). Stop stacking teams is the way to go.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
that's a good question bakkies but I have no idea. Based on my personal experience and observation, many people I know played rugby from a young age till adulthood and well into their 30s for some. amateur club rugby in france is such a strong family that its hard to stop when you start getting involved. I don't remember seeing a drop off at any particular age, would say its more gradual I guess.
Bakkies
Guest
You don't send your kid to a GPS school solely to play Rugby
Bakkies
Guest
Jez the boarders will just have to find clubs as most of them stay in Sydney after school for uni a good chance to get them in early. They travel to games by lift or pt in any case.
Bakkies
Guest
In the VSRU each team plays each other once then there are Finals which are moved around.
Bakkies
Guest
Does Scots have a Susie?
Bakkies
Guest
Jiggles it's not simply a case of getting better. If a school has paid for a scholarship they will pick that recipient to get their money's worth.
arbitro storico
Guest
Good point regarding Bowman. Check your facts, Spiro, rather than relying on Sheehan's discredited rubbish. Bowman was at Scots Prep in year 6, as were McAusland, Bursill and several over members of the 93 team. Only Choromanski and Webster were blow ins.
Bakkies
Guest
You would need the sponsor to recommit though.
Nico'larse
Guest
Pull that proposal out of the bottom drawer, blow the dust off and resubmit to NFJ now!!
de ja vu
Guest
... a Sydney / NSW wide schoolboy rugby competition. Would I be naive enough to think this already exists - The Waratah Shield?