Quick Thoughts 2018 Part 2

Here is something that has never really been clear for me over the past 5 years or so about the Wellington Comp, and it has been pretty consistent I guess but really hard to understand in away. So in the Wellington Comp you really only have 5 teams that compete year after year and that is really it. For a place like the Wellington Region and for the huge area it covers you would expect at least 8 to 9 teams to be dominate just like the Super 8 and the 1A. Now I know a lot of you guys from the 1A and the Super 8 are thinking right now “Come on Hersch, 8-9 schools in Wellington? Thats just going to far” but let me explain ok because I think the balance in the Wellington Comp is way off and the gap from those 5 Top Schools and the rest is getting bigger and bigger and it just doesnt look like fun for anyone else out of that “5 Strong”. To anyone in Wellington Comp saying that it’s fare and there is nothing wrong with it because that is how it has been done for year, “Cut it out Yo, you know this Comp has no real balance”.

So we look at St Patrick Town and Silverstream, Scots College, Wellington and Rongotai College, and if you dont know Rongotai College has only just got back to standard and Scots College has just built a strong Rugby Program so for awhile it was 3 teams in Wellington. For as much people there is in the Wellington Region from up the Kapiti Coast, Wainuiomata, Tawa, Wairarapa, Porirua, Wellington City all areas in that Region you would think there would be more better teams out there. So for an example, I look at all the boys from Porirua cause I have been in that area before and have friends down there, but take all the talent in that one area and even if you took 2 schools like Bishop Viard and Porirua College and divided all the best players into those two schools, they would have such strong teams and also up and coming talent as well to build Rugby programs. Now does that take away talent from the “5 Strong” players staying in P-Town? Yes, but makes for more competitive teams and more players to compete, meaning more players getting better. St Pats Silverstream is one of my favorite Rugby Programs in the country but they had a 2nd XV last year that could beat most 1st XV’s in the country or run them real close and to me that sux cause its not like Wellington is a small city they have more then enough talent, but I understand why players leave for the “5 Strong” teams. That is just one example of what annoys me about the area because this year it wont be different. Im picking Silverstream or Scots to win it down there and I think most of that year will be training runs for those two teams. Bishop VIard, Porirua College, Kapiti College, Tawa College, Wainuiomata College and Wairarapa College should have some good teams this year but the gap will remain and competition wont get better.

One other thing I have been waiting for is a Trophy Traditional Game between Feilding HS and Palmerston North BHS. I am not sure if they have one but I don’t remember seeing any kind of game like that between the two top schools in Manawatu. I know

they have played game against each other a year or so back but that was part of the Hurricanes Tournament in the beginning of the year and Palmy Boys wore the “Hoops” and not the “All White”, which I was confused at cause they wouldnt wear that against Hamilton BHS or Gisborne BHS. Palmy Boys have been the best in that Region traditionally and I think over the past 15 Years Feilding HS have slowly made steps to take that No.1 spot. Both teams have produced some great NZSS players over the past 5 years and they will most likely both have one each this year too with Tyler Laubscher from Palmy Boys and Josiah Maraku from Feilding HS both looking like top quality talent this year. If you are like me and love Traditional battles, more so when they are 15 mins apart and all the players pretty much know each other this is one I want to see every year.

The UC Comp is going to be a very interesting Comp this year AGAIN because the teams are going to be closer in talent and the level is actually higher this year too. But when thinking about the Comp I cant see anyone beating Christchurch BHS in the Finals. Yup! I have already put them in the Finals and I’ll leave the other side blank, but I think Christchurch BHS have one spot in that UC Cup Finals Game. Christchurch BHS are returning a back line that will be Top 5 best in the country if not No.1, 6 players

returning from that back line from last year, they will have speed in every position and they have a 9/10 Combo that is proven and ready to go, they have more then 5 players in that back line that can rotate to cover injuries and the level wont drop, that is very hard to beat. Will they run into problems? Yes there is no doubt they will, this is Rugby and things like this happen but I think they will be in that UC Finals. So if what I am saying is true and lets just say that it is, Are they the best in the South Island? Right now I would say Yes they are. They still have Otago BHS and Southland BHS to answer to but I still think my reasons as of now stand true and I think Christchurch BHS are a better team then the both of them. Southland BHS in Pre Season went up to Christchurch BHS and played them and lost, but Southland BHS still ended up in Palmy for the Top 4 beating both Otago BHS and Christchurch BHS and that could happen again.

Speaking of the Deep South, Why hasnt Southland BHS been added to the Otago Comp? And who’s idea was it that they not join? Because for me if Southland BHS are not in that Comp you dont really have a counter balance to Otago BHS. King HS and John McGlashan College I think are both a year away from a real shot at beating Otago BHS and the next best team is Otago BHS 2nd XV and we know they cant beat the 1st XV. So I was thinking “Well if Kings and JMC are a year off and Southland BHS arent in that Comp, they need to have 3 or 4 combined teams to make the Comp at least stronger”. Mount Aspiring College, Dunstan HS and Cromwell might all have to join up to be able to match Otago BHS, St Kevins and Waitaki Boys might have to do the same as well and also get area school apart of it too because Otago BHS will dominate and I would hate to see Otago BHS 1st XV and 2nd XV playing each other in the finals if thats the way the Comp will be. I dont know how they can combine schools together or which schools to combine with who but they have to do something quick and that is the fastest fix for this Comp, Otago BHS left because of the standard and they will leave again if they have too. Waimea Combined have done it and it has worked out well for them, give it some thought guys or those are going to be some long drives home with 50 points on your head and a a big ‘0″ next to the score line.

Last thing for these “Quick Thoughts” is Girls 1st XV Rugby, I want to start a Top 200 for Girls Rugby and it is coming and it will take off as well and I hope that it will boost up the talent and numbers of the Farah Palmer Cup when I do start it. I know I am missing some real talent coming back next year but if I am to start it I want to be prepared and I want to put in the same amount of effort Im doing for the boys I want it to be done right. Girls 1st XV here in NZ is at a very high standard and I think in next couple of years could be a direct link to the Farah Palmer Cup. My Goal for “High School Top 200 Girls Rugby” is 2019 so look out for that and also I will try get to games through out the season as well. So all you Girls who are Year 12 this year I hope to see you guys fit, fast, skilled up and ready to go for 2019 cause that is my goal.