The Australian Schools side today departed Sydney for New Zealand to begin a three-Test tour against New Zealand Schools, New Zealand Barbarians and Fiji Schools.
In the last seven years, the Australian Schools side has defeated their New Zealand counterparts four times out of seven and went down by just one point in an epic encounter at Knox Grammar, 14-13 last year.
The Australian Schools side includes players from NSW, Queensland, Victoria and the ACT.
Australian Rugby Union General Manager, Development Pathways, Ben Whitaker wished the best to the Australian Schools side.
“Representing your country in Rugby at any level is always an amazing achievement and honour.”
“I know that the Australian Schools side will do the Australian Schools pathway system proud and, on behalf of the wider Australian Rugby family, we wish the team all the very best for the tournament.”
Australian Schools Executive Officer Andrew Elliot was excited about the potential of the class of 2014.
“We’re very excited about the squad this year, which includes representatives from a variety of schools with a vast range of skillsets.”
“We have had some good results against New Zealand Schools over the last several years and I know this side will be keen to continue the legacy and traditions of the Australian Schools Rugby program.
“Our squad knows there are significant challenges ahead in taking on Fiji and the two New Zealand sides. However, with solid preparation in Sydney, we are confident we can account for our opponents.”
Australian Schools play Fiji Schools on Friday 26 September, followed by New Zealand Barbarians on Tuesday 30 September and the final match of the tour against New Zealand Schools on Saturday 4 October, with all matches occurring in Wellington.
The Australian Schools system is part of a wider pathways system to provide exposure to the next generation of Australian Rugby talent, which includes the ARU’s Junior Gold Cup, Under 20s program and Buildcorp National Rugby Championship.
FOX SPORTS will broadcast both matches against the two New Zealand sides:
September 30: Australian Schools v New Zealand Barbarians, 10.00am AEST, FOX SPORTS 1HD & 1.
October 4: Australians Schools v New Zealand Schools, 11.40am AEST, FOX SPORTS 3HD & 3
Australian Schools 2014 Squad:
First Name
Surname
Position
School
Tom
Blake
No 8
Marcellin College
Phillip
Bradford
Prop
Hunter Sports High school
Ed
Craig
Prop
Epping Boys' High School
Tuaina
Tualima
Flanker
Brisbane State High
Nicholas
Duffy
Scrumhalf
St Joseph's College Hunters Hill
Vunipola
Fifita
Prop
Newington College
Joey
Fittock
Wing
The Southport School
Harley
Fox (c)
No 8
Anglican Church Grammar School
Jordan
Fulivai
Fullback
St Francis Xavier College
Harrison
Goddard
Scrumhalf
Oakhill College
Ned
Yeomans
Centre
Kinross Wolaroi
Jordan
Jackson-Hope
Flyhalf
St Edmund's College, Canberra
Richie
Kelemete-Asiata
Prop
Anglican Church Grammar School
Sepesa
Lola-Tarogi
Wing
Newington College
Gavin
Luka
Prop
St Joseph's Nudgee College
Maumau
Monu
Flanker
Canberra College
Connor
Moroney
Flanker
St Joseph's College Gregory Terrace
Connor
O'Shea
Flyhalf
St Joseph's College Hunters Hill
Izaia
Perese
Centre
Anglican Church Grammar School
Evan
Pritchard
Hooker
St Ignatius College
Reece
Hewat
Lock
St Joseph’s Nudgee College
Hugh
Summerhayes
Flanker
Cranbrook School
Ah-Mu
Tuimaleali'ifano
Centre
Roxburgh College
Sione
Tuipulotu
Centre
St Kevin's College
Keni Andrew
Vatuvei
Lock
Sarah Redfern High School
Shambeckler
Vui
Prop
Ipswich Grammar School
Manager
John
Rownes
Knox Grammar School
Coach
Stephen
Phillpotts
Brisbane Boys’ College
Asst Coach
Michael
Wallace
The Southport School
Asst Manager
Noel
Gardner
St Edmund’s College, Ipswich
S & C
Andrew
Moloney
Barker College
Doctor
Chris
Thomas
Physiotherapist
Tom
Lombardo
ARU Pathways
Adrian
Thompson
