::: DAVIS, JONES A STEP CLOSER TO U20s CHAMPIONSHIP ::: RATS winger TYSON DAVIS and fullback HARRY JONES are a step closer to the U20s National Championships in Canberra later this year after both were named in the NSW Generation Blue Colts squad of 36 players. The final squad will be reduced to just 25 players in the lead up to the first trial match in early March. For the RATS backs and former Barker College schoolmates, its the culmination of months of intensive training at the Waratahs home base in Moore Park that has included skills, contact and gym sessions, nutrition seminars and the chance to train alongside the senior professional squad under Waratahs coach Michael Cheika over Christmas. The Generation Blue Colts are made up of some of the best U20 rugby talent in the state, drawn from NSW country and the local Colts competition as well as eligible players from the Shute Shield and National Rugby Championship competitions. Generation Blue Colts Head Coach Tim Rapp, Waratahs Chief Scout Tim Kelaher and the coaching staff attended Shute Shield and NRC games each weekend, travelled widely to the regional areas of NSW, watched hours of match footage and relied on recommendations from club coaches to identify over 55 up-and-coming candidates for selection. For Tim Rapp, the progress of the squad has been positive and he acknowledged the breadth of talent on hand made it challenging to settle on the final 36 players to make the cut. “Our major focus through this pre-season has been on improving our players physical development and their ability to work hard consistently, said Rapp All players involved have well and truly aimed up to that challenge and we are seeing some positive results, which lets us now focus on improving the skill base needed to play the style of the Waratahs. Both Harry and Tyson are showing good improvements from last year’s squad and a season in grade (in 2014) has been very, very productive for their individual improvement, observed RAPP. “Its very competitive in the back three at this level, but both Harry and Tyson are challenging themselves consistently and being senior players, are setting a good standard.” “Tyson has made a real focus on improving the deficiencies in his game from last year and we saw a remarkable change by the time we played trial games in August 2014, RAPP noted. He is a very determined player who has made some major growth in his game due to some time in grade last season I believe. “Before his injury Harry was setting a very good standard in regards to the fitness required for this level. Im sure he took a lot from his experiences playing first grade in the Shute Shield and National Rugby Championships in 2014.” This latest announcement adds to a very successful grade debut for young JONES in 2014 and he is hopeful that this year he will make the National Championships after narrowly missing the cut last year. Obviously its a huge honour to represent your state at any level so to be one step closer to the National Championships is a great feeling, said JONES, whos training has been hampered by a fracture and torn ligament in his foot. The training is gruelling as they are focusing strongly on teaching us to work hard, so it will make the games all that much easier. Im a bit in the wars (with the injury) but it should all be fine in a few more weeks hopefully. Its taken a toll on my fitness levels, however Ive been able to put on a bit of weight so Im not unhappy in that respect. While JONES has been unable to train, DAVIS on the other hand has become a semi-regular face out at Moore Park and has had a number of opportunities to train alongside the senior professional Waratahs in an initiative that coach Rapp said was designed to give them insight into the development pathway if the boys remained committed to their training and development. A good number of last years U20s squad has been given the opportunity to train during the pre-season with the professional squad this year, explained Rapp. It is a great illustration to our current crop of players, that if they learn to work hard consistently they will be rewarded. They, along with consistent Shute Shield players, are the next generation to represent this state. For DAVIS the chance to get a sneak peak into the professional ranks and just what it takes to reach the Super Rugby level was too good to pass up, but it hasnt been easy. Leading into Christmas I was lucky enough to be able to have a run in the Christmas Cup with the senior Waratahs, explained DAVIS. It was a great opportunity for me to see where Im at compared to the senior Waratahs guys who have been doing a full super rugby pre-season. Its been an invaluable experience being coached by the likes of Michael Cheika, Nathan Grey and Daryl Gibson who are always helping my game. The training in this years Generation Blue Colts has honestly been the hardest training Ive ever done. said DAVIS. We have been doing pretty much the same pre-season as the Waratahs (senior professional players), just not as frequently. It has given me a great insight into the intensity of training it takes to be at the top level. Rappy (head coach Tim Rapp) has been challenging us every session which has only helped us as players. The level of skill and effort by the guys in the squad has been extremely good, said DAVIS. Being pushed to absolute limits in such a professional environment has personally helped my rugby heaps, even over such a short period of only six weeks. Ive missed training at the Rats with the guys down there because Generation Blue Colts training doesnt allow much free time. But I think the Generation Blue Colts pre-season will give me a real flying start into the Shute Shield season which I cant wait for! Before the Shute Shield season gets under way however, both JONES and DAVIS have more work to do, starting in earnest again this Monday, if they are to make the final squad and have a chance to compete in the National U20s Championships to be held in Canberra on March 20-15. Congratulations TYSON DAVIS and HARRY JONES on making it this far and we wish you both the best of luck in achieving your goals of making the team for the National U20s Championships. We will of course keep all RATS members and supporters updated as to their progress through the year! Images: Tyson Davis (L) and Harry Jones (R) have been selected in the NSW Generation Blue Colts squad. JOIN THE RAT PACK IN 2015!!! (For all the latest RATS news, fixtures and results visit us online at our website warringahrugby.au, Twitter @warringahrugby or our Instagram page warringahrats)
Posted on: Sat, 10 Jan 2015 08:57:27 +0000