Eng Academy touring team named

[JasonE]

Bad luck for them as they have been hit by several withdrawals to key players, St Helens' hooker/half James Roby and fullback Ian Hardman, Castleford's half Andy Kain, Wigan prop Bryn Hargraves and Widnes prop Adam Bibey are all required for SL duty.

Kain & Roby esp are big losses.

 

[Yossarian]

Despite the widthdrawls, this is still a very strong squad

The Aussie and Kiwi supporters should do themselves a favour and catch these kids in action - the next generation of RL superstars

The ones to watch out for are Bradford's Matthew Cook & Karl Pryce, Wigan's David Allen and Saints James Graham

I'm still tipping them to go through undefeated against Kiwi u18's and Aussies Schoolboys

 

[JasonE]

No mate, Karl Pryce has been withdrawn just before the squad flew out, Bradford say they need him for SL this week, also Paul Prescott was a late withdrawal he's been named in Wigans team this week.

 

[Yossarian]

That's a pity JasonE

The young Pryce is the most exciting prospect in world rugby IMO and that's saying something considering the talent we have on both sides of the world at the moment

Still a strong squad though

 

[ali]

He must go alright as his highly regarded Bradford team mate Cook is still in the under 18 squad.

I have a question though. Have we standardised the age groups yet? Or will this side be featuring players who turn 19 in the latter months of this year. With under age squads this is surely a massive advantage. I'm not whinging, I just want a genuine indication of which nations are producing the best young players.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to hopefully catching them play in Sydney.

 

[Yossarian]

Ali

Not sure about the ages exactly. I did manage to catch quite a few of the current squad when they played the touring Australian Institute of Sport RL side last year in the UK (2-0 series win to the England Academy)

At that time, it was officially an u17 side Academy team but of course I'm not sure when they turned 18

Pity about a couple of the late widthdrawls but I'm sure it's still a good squad and I recommend you catch them

Yossarian

 

[carlnz]

Im going to watch them play auckland U18 on sunday.....They will win that but the JNR Kiwis will beat them....JNR Kiwis have a very strong side this year.

 

[Skinner]

Im going to watch them play auckland U18 on sunday.....They will win that but the JNR Kiwis will beat them....JNR Kiwis have a very strong side this year.

Sorry mate ?

What do you base the Auckland 18's projected loss on....

Skinner

 

[carlnz]

I just think the England team will be tuffer than the Auckland team. Auckland U18 vs NSW Country U18, they came out all guns blazing then ran out of gas before a second wind.

I believe the Poms will be a fitter side....was very dissapointed not to see Wellington play them....Wellington would beat them

 

[JasonE]

It's not a strong England side imo, certainly nowhere near as good as the 2002 team which won 2-0 v Oz. I don't think they'll win a game on tour but as far as development goes it's good to see that 8 of the 23 man squad are turning 17yo this year.
Can't comment on the KIwis having not seen them but I saw an Auckland u/18 team in Australia recently and they were massive.

After seeing the Australian Schoolboys championships 2 weeks ago the quality of the footy was unbelievable. Can't believe England have no warm up game in Oz.

 

[ali]

Good to see they have gone with a youngish squad. Who of the 17 year olds should I be looking out for?

 

[JasonE]

Joel Tomkins
Ash Gibson
Andy Bracek
Dave Doherty

 

[carlnz]

Jason E...who did they beat in 2002?? which australian team?? School boys or AIT

 

[yakstorm]

2002 they beat the Australian Schoolboys
2003 they beat the AIS Squad

 

[carlnz]

Oh ok, Last year the Kiwis lost just to AUS SCHOOLBOYS, then beat them in the second test....Also consdiering the AUS Schoolboys had 5 NZ born players in their team :roll: :roll:

Aus Schoolboys 14
JNR Kiwis 4

JNR Kiwis 12
Aus School Boys 8

2002 we beat AIS Squad by 50...if thats anything to go by...

 

[carlnz]

INTERNATIONAL
Auckland U/18s vs England Academy 18s, North Harbour Stadium, Auckland.
Auckland 20
C. Vuna, W. Heta, D. Shepherd, P. Ormsby tries
W. Heta (2) Conversions

England Academy 38
S. Grix, D. Doherty (2), A. Gibson (2), C. Ashton, D. Allen tries
S. Murrell (2), C. Huby (2), A. Gibson Conversions.

 

[JasonE]

Did you end up going mate ?

if so did anyone stand out for you and was it a good match ?

 

[carlnz]

Nah I didnt go to it #-o But will be going to the Jnr Kiwis match against them....

Just to go on what has been happening so far this year...

Auckland U18 Beat NSW Country U18 32-20 (something close like that)
Wellington U18 Beat NSW Country U18 54-4

Jnr Kiwis are made up of mostly Wellington/Auckland players so should be a good game next week

 

[JasonE]

Sorry guys I dont have the Auckland team lineup but this was the Eng team

1 Lee Smith (Leeds Rhinos)
2 Desi Williams (Wigan Warriors)
3 Simon Grix (Halifax)
4 Matt Cook (Bradford Bulls)
5 David Doherty (Leeds Rhinos)
6 Carl Ablett (Leeds Rhinos)
7 Scott Murrell (Leeds Rhinos and captain)
8 Craig Huby (Castleford Tigers)
9 John Gallagher (Leeds Rhinos)
10 Steve Nash (Widnes Tigers)
11 Brett Ferres (Bradford Bulls)
12 Jason Golden (Leeds Rhinos)
13 Joel Tompkins (Wigan Warriors)
14 Ashley Gibson (Leeds Rhinos)
15 Chris Ashton (Wigan Warriors)
16 Dave Allen (Wigan Warriors)
17 Andy Bracek (St Helens)
18 Luke Stenchion (Leeds Rhinos)
19 Steve Pickersgill (Warrington Wolves).

I'd expect Hansen, Coyle & Graham to play next week.

 

[ali]

Sounds like a solid start to the tour. Keep the news coming.