GPS Round 1
The GPS season is the pinnacle of school rugby in New South Wales. Six schools, ten rounds, and a competition that has produced more Wallabies than any other schoolboy rugby competition in the country. The 2026 draw opens with three mouth-watering fixtures — and if Round 1 is any guide, this is going to be a season to remember.
The opening match of the GPS season and it doesn't get much bigger than this. Riverview and Shore are two of the most powerful programs in the competition, and a Round 1 clash between them sets the tone for everything that follows.
Riverview arrive at Round 1 with genuine title ambitions. Their pack has been a consistent strength — physical, dominant at the set piece and highly effective at the breakdown. If they can control territory and field position from the outset, they will be very difficult to beat. The backline has real pace out wide and the halfback-to-flyhalf connection will be key to unlocking space against a disciplined Shore defensive line.
Shore, meanwhile, are never easy to play against at any ground. Their defensive system is one of the most organised in the GPS and they have the personnel to make this a grinding, arm-wrestle of an encounter. Look for Shore to work the gain line hard through their loosies and attempt to drag Riverview into a forward battle on their terms. If they can keep it close through the first half, the pressure will be squarely on Riverview to deliver.
The contest at the breakdown. Riverview's flankers will look to slow Shore's ball and force errors at the ruck, while Shore's 7 will be hunting opportunities in open play. Whichever pack dominates the collision will likely dictate the scoreboard.
Kings host Joeys in a fixture that has historically been one of the most fiercely contested in the GPS calendar. Both schools bring passionate supporter bases and a deep rivalry that makes this one always feel bigger than Round 1.
Joeys are widely regarded as one of the favourites for the 2026 title. Their programme has produced quality players across every position and their coaching structure is as professional as any school in the country. They come into the season with high expectations and will be looking to make a statement in the opening round against a Kings side eager to prove they belong among the competition's elite.
Kings are a side building real momentum. They will look to use home advantage and channel the energy of their crowd into an aggressive, physical start. Their lineout has been a genuine weapon and if they can win the set piece battle, they have the attacking tools to cause Joeys real problems. This is not a side that will simply roll over — expect a brave and determined performance from the Kings.
The lineout battle. Kings will look to dominate their own ball and steal where possible. Joeys' lineout callers will need to be smart and varied — any predictability will be punished.
Newington and Scots meet in what promises to be a fascinating clash of two sides with genuine motivation to start 2026 strongly. Both schools will be desperate to get off the mark in Round 1 and avoid the pressure that comes with an early loss in a ten-round competition.
Newington have invested heavily in their programme and will be pushing hard for a top-three finish this season. At home, they are a formidable opponent — well-organised, physical in the forwards, and with a backline capable of moving the ball wide quickly. Their fitness levels will be tested early but they have prepared well.
Scots have quietly assembled a squad capable of upsetting teams above them on paper. Their loose forwards are energetic and work rate across the 80 minutes has been a hallmark of their recent preparation. They will ask questions of Newington's defensive structure and if they can generate quick ball through the middle of the park, the wide channels open up.
Midfield collision. Both sides have physical centres who like to carry hard and create front-foot ball. The team that wins the gain line through the middle will control the territory battle.
CAS Round 1
The CAS competition runs a tight five-round format where every result matters from the opening whistle. There is no room for a slow start — a loss in Round 1 immediately puts a school under pressure. With six evenly-matched schools, 2026 shapes as one of the most open CAS seasons in recent memory.
The marquee opening fixture of the CAS season. Trinity and Cranbrook is always a high-quality contest and in a five-round competition, starting with a win here is almost essential for any title aspirant.
Trinity are a side with genuine structure and discipline. Their set piece is reliable and they play a controlled style of rugby that keeps errors to a minimum. In a tight competition like CAS, that composure under pressure can be the difference between a title and a mid-table finish. They will be targeting the territory game — kicking smartly from hand, competing hard in the air, and letting Cranbrook make the mistakes.
Cranbrook play an expansive brand of rugby that is entertaining and effective when it clicks. Their backline has real skill and if they can get quick ball from the forwards, they have the strike power to score from anywhere on the field. The key question is whether their forwards can provide the platform — against a structured Trinity pack, that won't come easily.
Halfback battle. Trinity's 9 will look to control tempo and keep the game on their terms. Cranbrook's halfback will want to speed things up and get their backline moving early. Whoever dictates the pace controls the match.
St Aloysius and Knox open their campaigns in a fixture that often flies under the radar but rarely disappoints in terms of contest and intensity. Both schools have quality across the park and a point to prove in 2026.
St Aloysius play a direct and physical style. Their ball carriers are hard to stop in close quarters and they will look to soften Knox up through the forwards before releasing the backline in the later stages of each half. The crowd at Aloys can be a significant factor and getting the home fans onside with an aggressive start will be central to their game plan.
Knox are a mobile, athletic side who like to play at speed. Their ability to recycle ball quickly and move defenders around the park is genuine and can create mismatches against teams that don't defend off the line well. They'll be targeting the edges and using their aerial game to generate territory early.
Waverley host Barker in the third CAS Round 1 fixture — a match between two physically strong sides who both pride themselves on winning the forward battle before opening the game up through the backs.
Waverley are a hard side to beat at home. They defend their territory fiercely and their forwards consistently put in heavy minutes. If Barker are going to win here, they'll need to weather an intense opening period and stay in the contest through the first 20 minutes when Waverley traditionally come out of the blocks quickly.
Barker have shown real improvement and arrive with confidence. Their set piece has been a consistent source of momentum and their loosies add genuine carry power. If they can match Waverley in the first quarter, the game becomes very open from there — and Barker have the backline talent to win that battle.
Trials Week 1
Before the GPS and CAS competitions get underway, the Schoolboy Trials give the next generation their first real taste of representative rugby in 2026. Eleven matches, played simultaneously across Sydney's club grounds, represent the start of the journey for players aiming to push into school 1st XV squads and beyond. Schools Rugby HQ will be covering the action live.
The Week 1 draw features some compelling match-ups between traditional schoolboy rivals. With GPS and CAS selectors watching closely, these matches carry real weight for players on the cusp of first grade selection. The standard across these Trials fixtures has been consistently high in recent seasons and 2026 looks no different.
Cranbrook/Redlands vs Newington shapes as one of the headline fixtures — two powerhouse programmes with GPS pedigree going head-to-head. Riverview vs St Augustines will see Riverview's depth tested against a St Augustines side known for producing physical, hard-running forwards. Shore vs Stannies/St Gregory's promises to be a forward-dominated contest with both schools fielding strong packs. Keep an eye also on Knox vs St Patricks — Knox's depth in the forwards makes this a fascinating test for St Patricks.
FOLLOW THE ACTION
Schools Rugby HQ will have results from all 11 matches as they come in on Saturday afternoon. Follow @SchoolsRugbyHQ on Instagram and TikTok for live updates, and check back here for the full results wrap on Sunday.