Australia U18 has confirmed four changes ahead of their clash with the New Zealand Barbarians U18s, with head coach Dale Roberson set to inject young Victorian winger Faf Krueger into the starting side.
Australia U18 started a busy fortnight of fixtures last Friday with a 62-19 victory over the Australian Schoolboys at Knox Grammar School, with both squads now arriving in Hamilton for fixtures on Wednesday and Sunday this week.
Watch every second of Australia U18 vs New Zealand Barbarians U18 live and on demand via Stan Sport.
With the New Zealand Barbarians U18s set to offer a huge challenge, Roberson has decided to reward form with Krueger, a rising star from Brighton Grammar School in Melbourne, swapping places with Taj Scarr after making a solid cameo off the bench in last Friday’s result.
He won’t be the only changes in the back stocks, with Flynn Farrell, who was only added to the squad at the start of last week, also swapping with Izak Holmes after his strong performance against Schoolboys, which included a try for his efforts.
Barker College’s Jack Proctor will also come onto the bench, replacing former Australia U16 captain Finn Hannon who did not travel to New Zealand due to injury.
Lastly, completing the changes, fellow Barker College product Mark Falaniko-Peterson will come into the starting front row as the sole forward pack change, partnering lethal prop and fellow Western Raptors teammate Isaiah Sheck.
Iliyaz Viliamu will drop to the bench as a result, with Roberson and his staff wisely sticking with consistency in the engine room and in the loose forwards.
Justice Taumoepeau will retain his position as captain with outside centre Taione Taka as vice-captain, while Jack Plamondon will also retain his position as starting fullback after scoring a hat-trick last week against Schoolboys.
“We're excited to be in Hamilton and are expecting a competitive match against the Barbarians tomorrow,” Roberson said ahead of the fixture.
"We are looking to build off the platform of our win over the Australian Schoolboys, but we are aware that we will have to be up for the physical confrontation of facing a New Zealand team in NZ."
The clash will be played at St Paul’s Collegiate School, Hamilton on Wednesday 30 September at 12.30pm (AEST), with Australian Schoolboys also taking on New Zealand Schools the same day.
The clash will be streamed live on Rugby.com.au, YouTube and on Stan Sport.
1. Mark Falaniko-Peterson
2. Oliver Smith
3. Isaiah Sheck
4. Harrison Asi
5. Jack Burton
6. Tahj Smith
7. Charlie Tanner
8. Justice Taumoepeau (c)
9. Flynn Farrell
10. Wilson Ruthven
11. Faf Krueger
12. James Smith
13. Taione Taka (vc)
14. Aidan Wunsch
15. Jack Plamondon
Substitutes
16. Aiden Luke
17. Iliyaz Viliamu
18. James Hannaford
19. Hasani Bloomfield
20. Jack Calleja
21. Izak Holmes
22. Cooper Murray
23. Taj Scarr
24. Jack Proctor
25. Hunter Reich
26. Bareek Kleine-Deters Ausage
Wednesday 30 September at St Paul’s Collegiate School, Hamilton
New Zealand Schools v Australian Schoolboys
Australia U18 v New Zealand Barbarians U18
New Zealand Māori v Fiji U18
Tonga U18 v Samoa U18
Sunday 4 October at St Paul’s Collegiate School, Hamilton
Australia U18 v New Zealand Schools
New Zealand Barbarians U18 v Samoa U18
Australian Schoolboys v New Zealand Māori
Tonga U18 v Fiji U18
