Please view an excerpt from today’s Daily Telegraph article below:
Despite a disruptive year, the talent pool is looking as strong as ever as some exciting players lit up the NRL Schoolboys Cup. See who made the teams of the year.
It was a season like no other. Yet despite the challenges of COVID-19 and numerous disruptions, the quality of the NRL Schoolboy Cup was as good as ever.
With players across NSW showcasing tremendous determination and discipline, Hills Sports High coach Scott Jones – who also coaches NSW under-16s – paid tribute to the standards reached in a trying 2020.
“The talent is always strong across every year and this year was no different,” Jones said.
“I’ve been involved in the schoolboys cup since 2007. The schools and the talent are getting better. Having it live streamed, the more publicity and promotion the competition gets, the more people want to be involved in it,” Jones said.
“In years past, a lot of good kids might go to other schools, but now they want to play in that top tier competition and go to schools that compete in that.”
2020 NRL SCHOOLBOY CUP FIRST TEAM
Liam Ison (St Dominic’s College)
The 16-year-old fullback held his own against kids twice his size. Will only get bigger and better. Part of the Penrith Panthers Harold Matthews squad for 2021.
2020 NRL SCHOOLBOY CUP SECOND TEAM
Riley Smith (St Dominic‘s College)
Talented hooker and opening batter. Smith is part of Cricket NSW’s under-19s squad and played for Australia’s under-16s side in 2019. He’s also part of the Panthers 2021 SG Ball. Smith’s kicking and running game was outstanding in Dom’s quarterfinal against Westfields.
