For those unfamiliar, the re-formatted competition features teams from 22 schools that compete in weekly fixtures over five rounds, scheduled to finish on 2 June.
The inter-school associations competition was started to ensure that teams of commensurate ability play each other in a safe environment.
The competition also matches like-sized schools either against each other or together to play another school to ensure a full complement of matches for all teams at an appropriate level of ability.
For instance, Sydney Grammar (GPS), who can field 13 teams, will be paired against a team like St Aloysius’ College (CAS), who can field 11 teams. An example of two smaller schools combining to play a larger one is Waverley College and Sydney Boys High forming 30 teams to play St Ignatius’ College’s 33.
The competition provides a standardised set of rules, which is a change to the rules that govern each individual schools association. Such rules include squad size, number of substitutions and mercy rules to name a few.
NSW Rugby and NSW Waratahs CEO, Andrew Hore, says this format of schools rugby is the way forward.
“NSW Rugby supports this initiative and we see this competition as the future of schools rugby. We are working together with each of the school sports associations for the collective good of the game and to ensure that all participants gain a positive experience from the competitions they compete in,” he said.
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Match Report: The Scots College vs Waverley (by Zachary Cambridge)
It was one of the most talked about clashes of the year, this match was surely not going to disappoint.
Scots and Waverley hadn’t met since 2016 and with both teams holding premier titles in their respective competitions last year, there was plenty to prove.
Scots were the first ones to get on the board from a run off the back of the scrum by Seb Strang, conversion successful.
Waverley hit back soon after with a damaging run down the blindside by Patrick Kite, conversion unsuccessful. Number 8 for Scots Will Harris responded with a strong run down the middle of the field, conversion successful.
Ben Zucchiatti the Scot’s winger also contributed to the scoreboard with an allusive run down the line, taking the score to 19 -5 with the conversion unsuccessful.
As the half time hooter was soon approaching, Scots created some momentum with a rolling maul and Brett Wellington fell over the line to add the final points of the half, adding the extras.
The half-time 26-5 score line not as close as the crowd was expecting and both teams came back out after the orange break re-energized and ready to play ball.
The first points came to the burly Brett Wellington for his 2nd try of the day, conversion successful.
Waverley looked certain to hit back but a gusty effort by Seb Strang meant an almost definite try was stopped in its tracks. Waverley weren’t throwing the towel in, successful go forward play resulted in Lathan Hutchinson – Walters finding the try line, the kick was also good.
Scots’ Seb Strang’s attack just as strong as his defence added to the try fest – also his 2nd for the day a sneaky dart off the back of a maul, conversion successful.
A magnificent line ran by Kobe Rugless followed by a quick offload to support player Jack Mossman meant Scots were in again, the conversion attempt waving away.
Luca Moretti showed up the Scots defence in the dying minutes of the game with a barnstorming run down the middle of the field finishing off with a head turning flick pass to Lathan Hutchinson – Walters who scored under the posts, conversion successful.
The full-time whistle blew with Scots College cementing three wins from three with a 45-19 win over Waverley.
Inter-school Association Round Three Scores:
St Aloysius’ College 57 defeated Oakhill College 5
St Gregory’s College 50 defeated Sydney Grammar School 10
Trinity Grammar 22 defeated St Joseph's’ College 19
St Augustine’s College 33 defeated Newington 27
Kinross Wolaroi 17 defeated by St Ignatius’ College 38
Kings 59 defeated Knox Grammar 7
The Armidale School 14 defeated by Cranbrook 46
