CAS II coach James Horrocks said his side will look to continue the strong form of CAS sides from the trial period and the opening two rounds when they face GPS II on Thursday evening. 

All six CAS schools are represented in the second XV side with four players from Knox, three players each from Cranbrook and Aloys, two players each from Waverley and Barker and one player from Trinity. 

“It’s a good well rounded side. We’ve got some good ball carriers with Jack Black up front and Ethan Halatokoua. They are both going to be dangerous,” CAS II coach James Horrocks told Rugby News. 

“In the backs, we’ve got a few combinations with the two Tom’s (Goddard and Morrison) from Knox in the halves. Having the school combination there has really helped in the first few training sessions. 

“Tom Goddard is a really smart No.9. He’s got a great little box kick on him and he’s a great organiser of the team. 

“Out wide we’ve got some flare as well. Ethan Flanagan is a really creative player and can create something out of nothing so we’ll look to utilise him throughout the game.”

Following round two of competition on Saturday, the team trained on Monday and Wednesday evenings ahead of Thursday match. 

“It’s a tricky one, with such a limited preparation. The boys have needed to learn a lot and learn it very quickly but they’ve been great so far. The main thing is, they are all talented footballers and they know what they’re doing. We just want to give them some basic structures and game plans to help them execute as a team.”

While the representative matches were cancelled in 2020, GPS narrowly defeated CAS 19-14 in the second XV fixture last time the two sides met in 2019

“They’ll be a well drilled, tough outfit across the park,” Horrocks continues. 

“Historically, GPS sides are very good on the ball so we’ll have to work hard to maintain possession and stop their pilfers. 

“The boys are pumped and the energy this week has been great. You can see how excited they are to get a chance to play this week after missing these games last year. 

“This game means a lot and it’s a big rivalry. There is that historic mentality that we are the little brother but I think recent results show that those days are hopefully coming to an end. 

“We think we’ll be right in it and every chance to win on Thursday night.”