The Australian Schools have suffered their second loss on tour falling 24-5 to the New Zealand Barbarian Under-18 side at Auckland’s Sacred Heart College on Saturday 29 September.
The Australian Schools side is now 1-2 on tour following an initial 18-9 loss to the Fijian President’s XV and a 29-12 win over Fijian Schools.
Saturday’s match started at a hectic pace with both teams guilty of early errors due to dominant defence and aggression at the breakdown.
It took until the 22nd minute of the first half for the first points to be scored with a good try to New Zealand openside flanker Mitchell Karpik, after he backed up a line break following an Australian missed tackle.
New Zealand flyhalf Damien McKenzie converted the try for a 7-0 lead midway through the first half.
The Australians toiled hard for the remainder of the first half and finally crossed for their only five points of the match before half time thanks to a sweeping backline move, which enabled Australia’s John Porch to break away and touch down in the left hand corner.
The second half saw New Zealand’s Mckenzie add a further three points early to take a 10-5 lead.
The match then heated up with both teams demonstrating their attacking prowess but it was the Barbarians who added further to their total after a tight head scrum win adjacent to the posts.
New Zealand scrumhalf Leon Fukofula darted down the side untouched to score the Barbarians’ second try in the 58th minute.
McKenzie again converted for a 17-5 lead.
The Australians never gave up but it was the Barbarian defence that won the day, repelling many raids from the tourists.
The Barbarian team made the most of their attacking opportunities and scored their third and final try in the 65th minute through replacement back Michael Green.
Once again, McKenzie converted the try taking the score to 24-5.
The Australian Schools side will now face Samoan Schools on 2 October before closing the tour against New Zealand Schools on 6 October.
Australian Schools 5 – NZ Barbarians 24
Australian Schools try – John Porch
NZ Barbarians tries – Mitchell Karpik, Leon Fukofula, Michael Green.
NZ Barbarians conversions – Damien McKenzie (3)
NZ Barbarians penalty goals – Mckenzie.
Australian Schools side v NZ Barbarians
1
Siotame Kavapalu
Rowville Secondary College
VIC
2
Francois Postal
St. Joseph’s College, Nudgee
QLD
3
Neori Nadruku
St. Edmunds College
ACT
4
Matt Philip
St. Augustine’s College
NSW
5
Adam Korczyk
Brisbane State High School
QLD
6
Mitchell Whiteley
St. Ignatius’ College
NSW
7
Brad Wilkin
Iona College
QLD
8
Jack Cornelsen
Brisbane Grammar School
QLD
9
Andrew Ferris
The Kings School
NSW
10
Reece Hodge
Manly Selective School
NSW
11
John Porch
Farrar Memorial Agricultural High School
NSW
12
Tepai Moeroa
Newington College
NSW
13
Jim Stewart
The Scots College
NSW
14
Andrew Robinson
St. Mary MacKillop College
ACT
15
Jonah Placid
Toowoomba Grammar School
QLD
Reserves
16
Aaron Pleash
Ipswich Grammar School
QLD
17
Tom Wilson
Barker College
NSW
18
Tomas Robertson
St. Joseph’s College
NSW
19
Jack Dempsey
St. Ignatius’ College
NSW
20
Michael Gunn
Anglican Church Grammar School
QLD
21
Angus Pulver
Shore School
NSW
22
Kemu Valetini
Hallam Secondary College
VIC
23
Jake McIntyre
Alstonville High School
NSW
Staff
Manager
Paul Geddes
Central Coast Grammar School
NSW
Coach
Steve Phillpotts
Brisbane Boys College
QLD
Asst Coach
Tim Rapp
Newington College
NSW
Asst Manager
John Rownes
Knox Grammar School
NSW
Skills coach
Andy Clark
Australian Rugby Union
ACT
S and C
Darren Clunn
Australian Rugby Union
ACT
Physiotherapist
Will Maher
ACT
Doctor
Dr Michael McLean
QLD
Australian Schools Tour Schedule 2012
Date
Opponent
Venue-Kickoff
22 September
Fijian President’s XV 18 def. Australian Schools 9
Prince Charles Park, Nadi – 3:30pm (FJT)
25 September
Fijian Schools 12 def. by Australian Schools 29
Churchill Stadium, Lautoka – 3:30pm (FJT)
29 September
New Zealand Barbarians 24 def. Australian Schools 5
Sacred Heart College, Auckland – 12:45pm (NZST)
2 October
Samoan Schools
St. Paul’s Collegiate School, Hamilton – 2:30pm (NZST)
6 October
New Zealand Schools
Auckland Grammar, Auckland – 2:45pm (NZST)
