Some of the world's top schoolboys will be on show on Monday in Sydney but plenty of eyes will be on in-demand back Albert Hopoate.
Hopoate, son of former NRL star John and younger brother of Canterbury's Will, lit up July's national schoolboys championships and headlines the talent to watch as the competition begins on Monday.
Australia will take on Fiji, while the Australian Barbarians will clash with the New Zealand schools, in a tough first outing at Knox Grammar School in Sydney's north
The latter clash will be a chance for some of those players who were overlooked by the national selectors for the main team to push their credentials to scouts across the country.
Australia coach Pat Langtry said Fiji would present a tricky first-up test.
“Fiji Schools will present a difficult challenge for us tomorrow," he said.
“Fijian players at all levels of rugby will punish you if you make mistakes and can score tries from all over the field. We have to be disciplined and back our systems to ensure that we don’t give them an opportunity to create space out wide.
“The squad is really looking forward to starting our International fixtures for 2017 and continuing the great tradition of the Australian Schoolboys in Sydney.”
Hopoate is not the only Aussie with strong sporting pedigree running out, with Wyll Holland, the younger brother of Aussie Sevens captain Lewi, playing for the Barbarians, among a handful of younger siblings coming through the ranks.
New Zealand accounted for Fiji in the opening match last Thursday, 57-7, while Australia takes on New Zealand on Saturday October 7, at TG Millner Oval.
The Australian Barbarians face off against New Zealand at 1pm AEST, followed by Australian Schools vs Fiji at 3pm AEST, all LIVE on RUGBY.com.au
TEAMS
Australia Schools to play Fiji Schools
1. Angus Bell, Newington College
2. Lachlan Lonergan, Trinity Christian College
3. Darcy Breen, The Scots College
4. Trevor Hosea, Brisbane Boys College
5. Nicholas Frost, Knox Grammar School
6. Charlie Rorke, St Ignatius College, Riverview
7. Kohan Herbert, Downlands College
8. Lachlan Connors, St Patrick's College
9. Seamus Smith, Marist College Canberra
10. Will Harrison (Captain), Marcellin College Randwick
11. Tristan Stanghon, Anglican Church Grammar School
12. Noah Lolesio, The Southport School
13. Jordan Petaia, Brisbane State High School
14. Albert Hopoate, St Augustine's College
15. Ben Donaldson, Waverley College
Reserves
16. Ciaran Loh, The King's School
17.Bo Abra, St Stanislaus College
18. Finn Wright, Waverley College
19. Harry Wilson, St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace
20. Luca Moretti, Waverley College
21. Marco Bell, Waverley College
22. Tom Woodcock, Knox Grammar School
23. Will Lloyd, Barker College
Australia Schools Barbarians to play New Zealand Schools
1.Egan Siggs, The Southport School
2. Oliver Barden, Brighton Grammar School
3. Alex Sa’aga, Melbourne Grammar School
4. Max Douglas, St Augustine’s College
5. Tom Iles, Marist College Canberra
6. Lachlan Osborne, Canberra Grammar School
7. Tom Kibble, Brisbane Boys College
8. Cullen Ngamanu, Brisbane Boys College
9. Phoenix Hunt, St Joseph’s College
10.Campbell Parata, The Southport School
11.Max Dowd, The Southport School
12. Joey Walton, Wadalba Community High School
13. Lincoln Smith, Marist College, Canberra
14. Viliami Lea, Ipswich Grammar School
15. Brendan Jimenez, St Edmund’s College
Reserves
16. Jack Winchester, Bishop Druitt College
17. Apenisa Driti, Griffith High School
18. Moses Alo-Emile, Brisbane State High School
19. Brody MacKaskill, Aranmore Catholic College
20. Wyll Holland, St Edmund’s College, Canberra
21. Dylan Dowling, Brisbane Boys College
22. William Goddard, Canberra Grammar School
23. Tom Yassmin, The Scots School
New Zealand Schools to take on Australia Barbarians
1. Fatongia Paea, Sacred Heart College
2. Shilo Klein, St Andrew's College
3. George Dyer, St Paul's Collegiate
4. Cullen Grace, Timaru Boys' High School
5. Tupou Vaal, Wesley College
6. Quade Tapsell, Gisborne Boys' High School
7. Josh Southall, St Patrick's College, Silverstream
8. Devon Flanders, Hastings Boys' High School
9. Humphrey Sheild, Napier Boys' High School
10. Lincoln McClutchie, Hastings Boys' High School
11. Leicester Faingaanuku, Nelson College
12. Quinn Tupaea, Hamilton Boys' High School
13. Isaiah Punivai, Christs College
14. Etene Nanai, St Kentigern College
15. Danny Toala, Hastings Boys' High School
Reserves
16. Abraham Pole, Otago Boys' High School
17. Tamaiti Williams, St Kentigern College
18. Josiah Tavita-Metcalfe, Hastings Boys' High School
19. Charles Alaimalo, Hamilton Boys' High School
20. Jeremiah Mua, Hastings Boys' High School
21. Taufa Funaki, Sacred Heart College
22. Rivez Rechanta, St Kentigern College
23. Tauterangimarie Kapea, Hamilton Boys' High School
FIXTURES
2017 International Schoolboy Fixtures (all LIVE on RUGBY.com.au).
Monday October 2, Knox Grammar School
Australian Schools Barbarians vs New Zealand Schoolboys, 1pm AEDT
BMW Australia Schools v Fiji Schools, 3pm AEDT, LIVE streamed on rugby.com.au
Saturday October 7, TG Millner Oval, Eastwood
Australian Schools Barbarians vs Fiji Schools, 11am AEDT
BMW Australia Schools vs New Zealand Schools, 12:50pm AEDT, LIVE on FOX SPORTS
