New Zealand Barbarians U18s are set to welcome Australia U18s for a thrilling clash at St Paul's College, Hamilton, the first of two clashes the U18s side will take part in this week across the ditch.
Australia U18s start their end of year fixtures 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.
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Head coach Dale Roberson has made four changes to that side ahead of the clash, with Brighton Grammar School's Faf Krueger, Mark Falaniko-Peterson and Flynn Farrell all being rotated into the starting side after strong performances.
Barker College Jack Proctor will come into the squad late as an injury cover to former Australia U16 captain Finn Hannon, who misses out on the two fixture series due to injury.
The Barbarians meanwhile come into the match with a big win over their own, brushing aside Tonga U18 89-0 over the weekend, with the New Zealand Māori U18 and New Zealand Schools also posting one-sided wins.
It sets the stage for a fascinating clash today, with Australia having swept these corresponding fixtures over the last two years, defeating New Zealand Secondary Schools 81-48 and 55-33 in 2025, with Australian Schoolboys also clean sweeping Fiji Schoolboys last year.
The clash between Australia U18s and New Zealand Barbarians U18s will be broadcast live and free via YouTube, as well as here on site and on Stan Sport.
AUSTRALIA U18 (1-15): Mark Falaniko-Peterson , Oliver Smith , Isaiah Sheck , Harrison Asi , Jack Burton , Tahj Smith , Charlie Tanner , Justice Taumoepeau (c) , Flynn Farrell , Wilson Ruthven , Faf Krueger , James Smith , Taione Taka (vc) , Aidan Wunsch , Jack Plamondon
REPLACEMENTS: Aiden Luke, Iliyaz Viliamu, James Hannaford, Hasani Bloomfield, Jack Calleja, Izak Holmes, Cooper Murray, Taj Scarr, Jack Proctor, Hunter Reich, Bareek Kleine-Deters Ausage
NEW ZEALAND BARBARIANS U18 (1-15): Deon Fifita, Santino Naufahu (cc), Sean Burgess, Junior Aukuso Slade, Chanel Filiva'a, Solomone Tuitupou, Viliami Rongokea Tupou, Luke Goodman, Matt Harris, Alapati Tusa Soagia, Eric Miller, Reuben McIntyre, Triumph Voice (cc), Jett Timbrell, Noah Rogers
REPLACEMENTS: Caleb Collins-Polata, Poliko Faalialia, Harry Baddington, Oliver Groenewald, Kane Shedlock, Axel Daken, Toni Tuuhoko Pole, Kitiona Talaepa, Max Talbot, Josh Shore, Niko Boylan
