Australia U18 will be looking to complete a sweep of Kiwi opposition on Sunday, facing up against New Zealand Schools with a reshuffled loose forward trio and a change on the wing when they face off at St Paul’s College in Hamilton.
The side will be three changes from the side that won 54-31 against the New Zealand Barbarians U18 earlier in the week, with head coach Dale Roberson opting for consistency in the tight five.
Watch the clash between Australia U18 and New Zealand Schools live and on demand via Stan Sport.
The changes come in the promotion of Hunter Reich to the starting side in place of Charlie Tanner, with Tahj Smith shifting back to number eight and captain Justice Taumoepeau moving to the other side of the scrum.
Roberson has chosen to stick with the halves pairing of Flynn Farrell and Wilson Ruthven, both of whom enjoyed strong performances against the Barbarians.
James Smith and vice-captain Taione Taka will also retain their position in the centres, with Jack Plamondon set to continue his lethal try-scoring form at fullback.
The last change sees Taj Scarr promoted from the bench onto the left wing in place of Faf Krueger, partnering Aidan Wunsch to complete an imposing back three.
Krueger will slot back to the bench, complemented by the likes of Aiden Luke, Iliyaz Viliamu, Hasani Bloomfield, Jack Calleja, Bareek Kleine-Deters Ausage and Izak Holmes, who will continue their rich vein of form as finishers.
Should Australia U18 achieve victory, it will continue a rich vein of form the side has had over New Zealand sides over the last two years - with 2025 seeing the side sweep New Zealand Schools 81-48 and 55-33 at Viking Park in Canberra.
New Zealand Schools are fresh off a win of their own, defeating the Australian Schoolboys 40-21 on Wednesday, boasting a strong physical game.
“We're looking forward to another tough challenge against the New Zealand Schools," Roberson said.
"We've had great battles with them over the last few years and we know Sunday won't be any different.
"They are coming off a strong win over the Australian Schoolboys, so we must be ready for the physicality that they will present."
The Australian Schoolboys will also be playing on Sunday, taking on New Zealand Māori in their final match of the series too.
Both matches will be streamed live on Youtube and Stan Sport.
1. Mark Falaniko-Peterson
2. Oliver Smith
3. Isaiah Sheck
4. Harrison Asi
5. Jack Burton
6. Hunter Reich
7. Justice Taumoepeau (c)
8. Tahj Smith
9. Flynn Farrell
10. Wilson Ruthven
11. Taj Scarr
12. James Smith
13. Taione Taka (vc)
14. Aidan Wunsch
15. Jack Plamondon
Substitutes
16. Aiden Luke
17. Iliyaz Viliamu
18. Hasani Bloomfield
19. Jack Calleja
20. Bareek Kleine-Deters Ausage
21. Izak Holmes
22. Jack Proctor
23. Faf Krueger
Sunday 4 October at St Paul’s Collegiate School, Hamilton
Australia U18 v New Zealand Schools - 2:30 pm AEDT
New Zealand Barbarians U18 v Samoa U18
Australian Schoolboys v New Zealand Māori - 10:30 am AEDT
Tonga U18 v Fiji U18
