New Zealand Schools set for final Australian challenge

The New Zealand Schools team has been named to play Australia U18 in the final match of their two-game series in Canberra on Monday 2 October.

The New Zealand Schools squad is;
1. Raharuhi Palmer (Hamilton Boys’ High School)
2. Manumaua Letiu (Christchurch Boys' High School)
3. Sione Mafi (Nelson College)
4. Josh Tengblad (Sacred Heart College)
5. Aisake Vakasiuola (Tauranga Boys’ College)
6. Micah Fale (St John's Hamilton)
7. Oli Mathis (Hamilton Boys’ High School) (c)
8. Mosese Bason (Feilding High School)
9. Dylan Pledger (King's High School)
10. Rico Simpson (Sacred Heart College)
11. Frank Vaenuku (De La Salle College)
12. Caelys-Paul Putoko (Hamilton Boys’ High School)
13. James Cameron (Westlake Boys' High School) (vc)
14. Tevita Naufahu (St Kentigern College)
15. Rangiwai Lunjevich (Hamilton Boys’ High School)

16. Shaun Kempton (Rolleston College/Selwyn Combined)
17. Robson Faleafa (St Peter's College Auckland)
18. Logan Wallace (Palmerston North Boys' High School)
19. Tonga Helu (Sacred Heart College)
20. Jake Frost (Christchurch Boys' High School)
21. Marshall Blakely (Christchurch Boys' High School)
22. Quinten Holland (King's High School)
23. Charlie Sinton (Tauranga Boys’ College)
24. Kiseki Fifita (Southland Boys' High School)
25. Tayne Harvey (Palmerston North Boys' High School)

Unavailable due to injury: Isaac Murray-Macgregor (Westlake Boys’ High School)

New Zealand Schools Head Coach Kane Jury and his assistants Ngatai Walker and James Hantz have made a raft of changes to their 25-strong squad for their second match against the Australia U18 in Canberra.

Jury said the match was an opportunity to continue to grow the depth within the squad following a 34-3 win over their Australian rivals last week.

“We were challenged right from kick-off last week, but we were able to reset at the break and our reserves injected plenty of energy off the bench. This has been reflected in this week’s selection. We know the Australian’s will be seeking revenge, but we are ready for the challenge and want to finish with a performance we are proud of.”

Three changes have been made to the forward pack; loosehead prop Raharuhi Palmer, tighthead prop Sione Mafi and loose froward Micah Fale, have been rewarded with starts after making an impressive impact off the bench last week, switching roles with Robson Falefa, Logan Wallace and Tonga Helu.

In the backs, Frank Vaenuku is named to start on the left wing with Kiseki Fifita shifting to the bench. Fullback Rangiwai Lunjevich replaces the injured Isaac Murray-Macgregor.

The final change sees Marshall Blakely and Quentin Holland come into the squad with the pair named on the bench.

The match kicks off at 2.05pm NZT and will be live on Sky.

New Zealand Schools Trans-Tasman Schedule
Monday 2 October | Viking Park, Canberra, Australia
Australia U18 v New Zealand Schools, 12.05pm (AEDT)/2.05pm (NZDT)

Game 1 Result: Australia U18 3, New Zealand Schools 34

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