Australian schoolboys rugby coach says Tonga has advantage ahead of physical encounter, poll

The Australian schoolboys rugby side expect a bruising encounter against Tonga in an upcoming Test and say their rivals have one very big advantage heading into the match. Vote in our poll.

NSW and Queensland players dominate the Australian schoolboys rugby team playing in two big matches this month. Picture: Julian Andrews

Australian schoolboys coach Mark Moxon is predicting the Tongan schools team will be “ready to rock’’ against his charges thanks to a couple of rugby schools teams and crucial lead up games in Nowra and Canberra.

Tonga, a side unseen by Moxon, is expected to play a direct style of rugby which will be both challenging and physical.

The Tongan entourage arrive in Sydney next week for a series of matches, trainings and then main event games against the Australians and Barbarians teams on a tour organised by Australian Schools Rugby.

“I expect them to be robust. them to be very aggressive in the midfield, and that is what we must shut down,’’ said Moxon, from Ignatius Park College, Townsville.

“They will be there testing and bashing our boys. Everything will be a competition. They will be physical at every breakdown and tackle.

Queenslander Finn Lawson gets a kick away despite the close attention from a NSW rival at the Australian schools rugby championships. Picture: Julian Andrews

“We will have to be up for this fight.’’

Moxon said Tonga’s schedule of playing two lead-in matches ahead of the game against Australia and the Barbarians at Knox College Waverly, will be a huge advantage for the touring team.

“For them that will be excellent. It’s a huge asset for them to have that time on the field, getting the unit together,’’ Moxon said.

NSW Juniors player Felix Turinui is in the side. Picture: Julian Andrews

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“Time on the field is what you always want, it’s where you always want to be to try your combinations and shapes.

“By the time they get to us they will be ready to rock.’’

Moxon said he’s working to access video and intel on the Tongans from their lead-up matches in Nowra and Canberra.

Tonga will play their first lead-up game against South Coast schools on September 15 and another against ACT schools at Marist College on September 20.

They will then head to Sydney to prepare for their major matches against the Australian Barbarians at Knox on September 25 and Australia on September 28.

NSW and Queensland players form the Australian Schools Rugby Championship at Eric Tweedale Stadium dominate the Australian team.

AUSTRALIAN SCHOOLBOYS RUGBY SQUAD 2023

1 Hamish Grover NSW I St Ignatius College, 2 Luke Muriti NSW I Oakhill College, 3 Moses Manu QLD I Brisbane State High School, 4 Liam Manu QLD II Marsden State High School, 5 Jackson Moloney QLD I Villanova College, 6 Eli Langi QLD I Brisbane State High School, 7 Oscar Lane QLD II, King’s Christian College, 8 Noah Tofaeono NSW BB Waverley College, 9 Darcy Standfield NSW Juniors Waverley College.

10 Felix Turinui NSW Juniors Waverley College, 11 Finn Lawson QLD I Mountain Creek State High School, 12 Sean Weir QLD I Ignatius Park College, 13 Patrick Broe NSW I St Josephs College, 14 Max Roach NSW II Knox Grammar School.

15 Dane Mitchell NSW Juniors Trinity Grammar School, 16 Manaaki Bateman QLD II St Patrick’s College, Shorncliffe, 17 Kimball Liufau NSW BB Patrician Brothers’ College Fairfield, 18 Isaiah Kolopeaua NSW I Ashfield Boys High School, 19 Aron Brennan NSW I St Augustine’s College, 20 Jack Henry QLD I Canterbury College 21 Hugo Orpin NSW II The Shore School, 22 Nico Buckley QLD I Kings Christian College, 23 Tom Farr-Jones NSW I Newington College.

Manager: John Guy, Hunter Valley Grammar School, NSW

Head Coach: Mark Moxon, Ignatius Park College, Townsville, QLD

Assistant Coach: Michael Crank. Assistant Principal, Mt Maria College, Mitchelton, QLD

Read more from AMANDA LULHAM HERE

Originally published as Australian schoolboys rugby coach says Tonga has advantage ahead of physical encounter, poll