2012Australian Schoolboys v England Academy

Following a successful Championships in Port Macquarie the following players were selected to participate in the 2 test series against the touring England Academy team.

Staff assembled at the AIS in Canberra on the weekend with players arriving on Monday 30th July for 2012 campaign. All players were given a through medical by the team physio and allocated rooms and issued with their Australian Schoolboys gear. Following lunch and a team meeting, coach Peter Denham had the team out on the field for their first run together. The squad of 17 increased by one as we were fortunate to have Mitch Shaw from Hawker College, Canberra allowed to train with us and be included as 18^th man

Tuesday involved both a morning and afternoon training session, with the players enjoying the AIS facilities with a recovery session. After tea the squad headed off to Belconnen for a movie.

A visit from NRL and Toyota Cup Welfare staff and a weight session were the only football activities planned for Wednesday. This included a presentation by Tony McFadyen, Andrew Ryan and Nigel Vagana, followed by weights and one on one interviews with the welfare staff. After lunch the squad headed to the National War Memorial, for an informative and worthwhile tour.

On Thursday, we had the official team photo followed by an afternoon / evening, oppose session against a Raiders NYC team. The oppose session was invaluable and thanks to the Raiders players, coaching staff and Dave Hamilton for their assistance. A team meeting and training session on Friday morning followed by gym and recovery in the afternoon.

The teams’ preparation was rounded out with a short ball work hit out, along with a visit to Canberra Stadium on Saturday before getting to spend some time with family and friends in the afternoon.

Sunday 5^th September

1^st Test ASSRL v England Academy, Canberra Stadium.

The game was played after the Raiders and Brisbane NRL game kicking off at 4.20pm

The Australian Schoolboys defeated England Academy 41-10. In a physical game the Schoolboys scored first with winger Jack Goodsell, when he managed to round his opposite man and cross under the posts. This started a good period with further tries to Hooker Brad Deitz, centre Paul Simona and five eight Mitchell Moses. England Academy got on the board with a try just before halftime but the Schoolboys went the break ahead 24-6.

The second half began in a similar fashion to the first with both sides embroiled in a physical battle with the Schoolboys scoring first through Mitchell Moses, following a great chip and chase effort by Alex Johnston to cross for his second, he then completed his hat-trick when he pounced on an English error, kicking the ball ahead and regathering to score.. The Academy scored the next try but after some great lead up work, winger Willis Meehan scored out wide. A field goal from Mitchell Moses in the final minute put the finishing gloss on a 41-10 victory for the Schoolboys.

Australian Secondary Schools 41(Mitchell Moses 3, Jack Goodsell, Bradley Deitz, Paul Simona, Willis Meehan tries Clint Gutherson 6 goals Mitchell Moses field goal) defeated England Academy 10( Luke Briscoe, James Saltonstall tries Ryan Hampshire goal)

Man of the Match-Kelepi Tanginoa

Players Player-Mitchell Moses

Monday started with recovery at the AIS, and packing, as we had a full day of travel to sunny Queensland. Arriving at the Gold Coast accommodation at 4.00pm, we settled in and headed out for a team dinner. The players and staff enjoying the warmer weather and a change in accommodation.

The changes also included catering for ourselves and having to travel for training, so on Tuesday after breakfast we headed off to training, a beach recovery session and lunch at Burleigh Bears Leagues Club. The afternoon was spent enjoying the sights of the Gold Coast. To cover injury concerns from game 1, Mitch Shaw was flown up and welcomed into the squad.

Wednesday the team trained on the beach and had lunch at Burleigh Surf Club, then some rest back at the accommodation before an evening oppose session against the Titans NYC team.. The team eating out again at the Wallaby Hotel. Thanks to the following that helped and made our stay on the coast a great experience, Geoff Bagnall, the Titans and Geoff Eggert.

As the game was approaching the squad moved from the Gold Coast to Wynnum Manly on the Thursday. With lunch and tea provided at Wynnum Manly Leagues club the team then ventured out for a movie.

Our final ball work session was held on Friday at Wynnum Manly where the 2^nd test would take place. With a visit to Brisbane and Southbank in the afternoon.

Saturday 11^th September

2^nd Test ASSRL v England Academy, Wynnum Manly

Once again there was a very physical start to the game, however, England were first to score this time. The schoolboys replied back with a try to Pauli Pauli, which was converted by Clint Gutherson for the scores to be locked at 6-6. The Schoolboys then took the lead through a Matthew Lodge try, Jack Goodsell scored from a great kick from Mitchell Moses to take the score to 18-6, Lock Chad McGill scored minutes before half time for the Schoolboys to take a convincing lead of 24-6 to the break.

Jack Goddsell scored his second 10 minutes into the 2nd half with clint Gutherson successful again with the score now 30-6. Second rower Kelepi Tanginoa made a great break and offloaded to replacement Dylan Walker to score 34-6. England scored then with 5 minutes remaining, Australian full-back Alex Johnston scored a brilliant solo try after fielding a high bomb on his own 20 metre line, side stepped the first line of defence and found himself in the clear to sprint 75 metres untouched and cross in the corner, converted by Gutherson. Australia 40-10. England scored a final consolation try taking the final score to 40-14.

Australian Secondary Schools 40 ( Tries; Jack Goodsell 2 , Pauli Pauli, Matthew Lodge, Chad McGill, Dylan Walker, Alex Johnston Goals; Clint Gutherson 6 ) defeated England Academy 14(Tries; Luke Briscoe 2, James Saltenstall: Goal; Mark Percival)

Man of the Match-Matthew Lodge

Players Player-Chad McGill

2012 Australian Schoolboys would like to thank the following

Whilst in Canberra

• Dave Hamilton and the Canberra Raiders who assisted with medical and training gear, organised oppose session and access to the Canberra Doctor
• Phill Dodd for his assistance and hard work organising the event.

On the Gold Coast

• Geoff Bagnall for his local advice and contacts sourcing training venues and places to eat.
• Titans for the oppose session and use of the recovery centre.
• Geoff Eggert for his help and assistance over the week.

At Wynnum Manly

• Roy Wyatt for the help and assistance not only organising the game but also our meals.
• The Wynnum Manly Leagues Club and the board of Directors for their support of Schoolboy Rugby League.

Also the ASSRL Executive for their ongoing help, support and advice. Particularly Brian Pearson for his assistance with booking accommodation, flights etc and Phil Beecher for the support whilst in Canberra.