Updated information

1. Pre-season skill sessions

The last skill-sessions held on a Sunday are scheduled for 20 March. From that week on, for the two weeks before the full range of trials start, skill sessions for each level will be held once a week after school on a weekday. Details TBC.

2. Player registration (by 28 February)

Registrations are the first step towards us being able to confirm teams plus their coaches and managers. Getting these in place early allows each team management group more time to plan their entry to the season, which in turn leads to an even better experience for the boys. We are also replacing our team sets of jerseys, so need to know what teams are going to operate so we can organise appropriately-sized jerseys.

Registrations will close on Sporty at the end of 28 February.

https://www.sporty.co.nz/viewform/175765

3. Payment of subs (by 18 March)

Subs can be paid online through Sporty as part of the registration process or afterwards on your son's account. If you use the latter method please include the following details:

• Amount: $175
• Bank account: 02-0816-0253094-00
• Payment reference: Son's name and rugby

Please note that subs should please be paid before 18 March so trial teams can be carefully organised. Payment of subs confirms participation, and with that comes the right to trial in the chosen grade. Contact Mark if assistance with payment of subs is required.

4. Fitness test

U18 trialists will be invited to participate in two fitness tests after school. The results will give selectors further data to use when making selections. Dates TBC.

5. U18 Trials

The U18 trial process starts at Ilam Fields, which are located opposite University of Canterbury, between Waimairi Road and Creyke Road. Subsequent trials will be held on field No. 4 at St Bede’s College, on Sunday 3 April then after school on Wednesday 6 April. The day after the trial on 3 April, the 1st XV squad will be named at 12:00pm on the Monday 4 April, on the Facebook Rugby Noticeboard and through the College app.

The 1st XV squad will train as a unit from Tuesday 5 April, so the trial on Wednesday 6 April will be for places in the 2nd and 3rd XVs, with some players, depending on the number of candidates in a certain position, may be selected for the 4th XV. Some boys will opt not to trial and go straight into the 4th XV.

On Saturday 9 April, multiple friendly games, including the 1st XV, will be played at home vs St Andrew’s College. The 2022 1st XV will be named on Monday 4 April, with all of our other squads being announced by Thursday 14 April so team unit training can begin.

All dates stated here are subject to confirmation as our Covid-related reality becomes clear over the next two months.

6. 2nd XV or 3rd XV

With both the 2nd XV and 3rd XV playing in the U18 grade, as a general rule, when two players are judged by selectors to be of roughly equal ability, the more senior of the two in terms of their year group will be selected in the 2nd XV and the younger in the 3rd XV.

7. 4th XV

Boys who have opted to play in the 4th XV do not need to trial, but must still register by 28 February and pay subs by 18 March.

8. Selectors

A number of selectors will be used to rank the triallists playing in the U18 trials. The rankings are designed mainly to determine selection into the 2nd, 3rd and potentially 4th XVs.

9. Selection criteria

The selection criteria for each position are given below. This is how players will be assessed.

10. Injured players

U18 players carrying injuries in March/April that may affect their ability to trial should let Mark know. He will communicate that to the selectors.

11. Pre-season matches

In addition to the matches against St Andrew’s College on Saturday 9 April the 1st XV will play the following pre-season games:

On Saturday 30 April, some teams will play pre-season matches vs Christchurch BHS teams. The details will be announced once they are decided. The following Saturday, 7 May, is the first day of CRFU organised fixtures.

12. Communication regarding selections

In recent years parents have sometimes opted to complain about their son’s non-selection into the school’s senior team(s). The College fully supports our volunteer coaches and requests that parents do not approach coaches directly about matters related to selection. Most sons find this embarrassing, but even more importantly, the College does not want our volunteer coaches’ enjoyment of their role to be negatively affected by having to deal with selection-related complaints. If you feel that you would like to be heard, please telephone Deputy Rector Mr Gerry Davidson.

13. U18 Coaches/Managers (provisional in some cases)

1st XV: Dan Winchester, Kurt Paterson, Simon Gunn (Mgrs) Gerry Davidson, David Litten

2nd XV: Callum Wilson, Kyle Byers, Mpho Mbiyozo, (Mgr) Simon Cooper & TBC

3rd XV: Charles Simpson & TBC

4th XV: Baz Dunne, Richard Freeman

14. U15 players in the U18 grade

Please note that U15-age players are not automatically eligible to play in the U18 grade. They must be formally cleared by the CRFU to play U18. It is case by case with many factors involved in whether or not Year 11 boys still eligible to play U15 apply to play U18. Typically they are their attachment to their academic year group, their size, experience, or whether they are coming back from injury etc. The College prefers boys to be making decisions that suit their developmental stage.

Playing U18 does not rule out U15 age boys from participating in the National U15 Tournement.

15. Mike Cron coaching U18 forwards on Friday 22 April

Former All Black coach Mike Cron will coach our U18 forwards for three sessions on Friday 22 April. Earlier that same week Mike will do two sessions just with the 1st XV.

16. Preparation

At U18 level, boys are expected to bring their own water bottle (named), boots and mouthguard to practice sessions. Shared water bottles will not be used.

17. Parents

Parents please make a point of introducing yourselves to your son’s coaches and managers. St Bede’s Rugby wants new positive connections and friendships to be created at all levels within teams and the Club in general.

18. Ongoing dissemination of information

Parents and boys should please either use the College App and indicate an interest in rugby or follow the regular posts on the Rugby Facebook Noticeboard.

Full-back

Crucial: Can convert opportunities into points

Very important: Good handling ability. Excellent last-line defender and communicator, particularly re: opportunities on attack and within the back-three. Can deal with opposition kicks. Can kick for touch and long into opposition territory.

Important: The willingness and ability to beat an opponent with evasive skills.

Wings

Crucial: Can convert opportunities into points

Very important: Good handling ability. Excellent defender, who understands defensive responsibilities. Good communicator, particularly re: opportunities on attack and within the back-three. Can deal with opposition kicks.

Important: The willingness and ability to beat an opponent on the outside with speed.

Centre

Crucial: Can contribute significantly to converting opportunities into points

Very important: Can draw and pass. Excellent defender. Good communicator, particularly re: defence organisation.

Important: The willingness and ability to beat an opponent on the outside.

Second-five

Crucial: Can defend consistently well

Very important: Run-catch-pass: Can draw and pass. Can carry aggressively across the gain-line when the need arises. Good communicator re: attacking opportunities.

Important: Understands the concept of holding depth. Ability to kick from hand.

Will note with interest: Ability to kick from hand. Ability over the ball at the breakdown.

First-five

Crucial: Can deliver skills consistently under pressure

Very important: Run-catch-pass: Can move onto the ball, staying straight, and pass accurately and quickly while under pressure from the opposition.

Important: Ability to kick from hand, tackling ability.

Will note with interest: Kick-offs

Halfback

Crucial: Pass accuracy (length will also be noted)

Very important: Speed to the breakdown (fitness); speed dealing with the ball

Important: Ability dealing with pressure/sloppy ball; running from rucks,

Will note with interest: Support play; tackling skill

Not relevant this time: Comms (we can’t really assess it), kicking.

No. 8

Crucial: Carries the ball strongly in traffic (fights to stay up and exhibits good leg-drive) and places it well, brave - can make dominant tackles. Has physical presence, wins collisions.

Very important: Good over the ball in attack and defence. Moves bodies well, good work-rate/energy

Important: Good R/C/P skills

Openside flanker

Crucial: Excellent tackler, strong over the ball in both attack and defence. Superior work-rate/fitness.

Very important: Good run/catch/pass (R/C/P) skills, moves bodies well, good work-rate/energy

Important: Jumping option at lineout

Blindside flanker

Crucial: Carries the ball strongly in traffic (fights to stay up and exhibits good leg-drive) and places it well, brave - can make dominant tackles. Has physical presence.

Very important: Good aerial skills (lineout), moves bodies well, good work-rate/energy

Important: Good R/C/P skills

Locks

Crucial: Solid scrummaging (will ask props for feedback on the weight they felt from each lock) and good aerial skills (lineout and kick-off)

Very important: Moves bodies well, carries the ball well in traffic (fights to stay up and exhibits good leg-drive) and places it well, good tackle count, good work-rate/energy

Important: Good R/C/P skills

Props

Crucial: Solid scrummaging and consistent lifting

Very important: Moves bodies well at the breakdown, carries the ball well in traffic (fights to stay up and exhibits good leg-drive) and places it well. Good tackle count close-in, good work-rate/energy

Important: Good R/C/P skills

Hooker

Crucial: Reliable, accurate throwing

Very important: Clearly contributes to a solid scrum, good tackle count

Important: Moves bodies well, carries the ball well in traffic and places it well, good R/C/P skills, good work-rate/energy