NSW Waratahs back-rower Justice Taumoepeau and Australia U20 standout Taione Taka have been named in the Australia U18 leadership group as they prepare for Friday's clash with the Australian Schooboys.
Coach Dale Robertson has named Taumoepeau skipper, with Taka set to deputise, as they finalise preparations for next week's tour of New Zealand.
Catch the action LIVE and on-demand from Friday 2:00 pm on Rugby.com.au
Taumoepeau is fresh off featuring for the Waratahs in Super Rugby AUS, starting in their opening round win over the ACT Brumbies.
The son of former Waratahs assistant Pauli also helped Easts regain the Shute Shield title, coming off the bench in the victory over Warringah.
He starts in the back-row with Tahj Smith, who also returns after last year's successful campaign, and Randwick's Charlie Tanner.
As for Taka, the versatile back started four games in the Junior World Championship and has been named in the midfield.
Australia U16 graduates Izak Holmes and Wilson Ruthven get the nod in the halves, with Queenslander James Smith joining Taka in the centres.
Robertson has backed the Riverview combination of Taj Scarr and Jack Palmondon out wide, with ACT's Aidan Wunsch completing the backline.
In the forwards, Newington duo Iliyaz Viliamu and Isaiah Sheck will start at loosehead and tighthead prop, respectively, with The King's School's Oliver Smith at hooker.
New addition Jack Burton comes into the second-row alongside fellow Queenslander Harrison Asi.
Burton, along with Flynn Farrell and Cooper Murray, have been drafted into the squad after Harper Enasio, Harry Whitaker and Joel Stovold were ruled out for the match and the subsequent tour of New Zealand.
"We've had a great first week in camp here in Sydney, with the group creating connections on and off the field," Robertson said.
'We're looking forward to sharpening our skills ahead of the tour to New Zealand and excited for the challenge of facing a tough Australian Schools team on Friday where we will look to put in a strong performance.”
Friday 25 September: Knox Grammar School, Sydney, at 2.05pm (AEST).
1. Iliyaz Viliamu
2. Oliver Smith
3. Isaiah Sheck
4. Harrison Asi
5. Jack Burton
6. Tahj Smith
7. Charlie Tanner
8. Justice Taumoepeau (c)
9. Izak Holmes
10. Wilson Ruthven
11. Taj Scarr
12. James Smith
13. Taione Taka (vc)
14. Aidan Wunsch
15. Jack Plamondon
Substitutes
16. Aiden Luke
17. Mark Falaniko-Brown Peterson-Patolo
18. James Hannaford
19. Hasani Bloomfield
20. Jack Calleja
21. Flynn Farrell
22. Cooper Murray
23. Faf Krueger
24. Finn Hannon
25. Hunter Reich
26. Bareek Kleine-Deters Ausage
