Australian schoolboys rugby save best for last in series against Tonga and Barbarians
They were bashed, battered and bruised by the Barbarians in their opening match but it laid a great foundation for the Australian schoolboys in their rugby test against Tonga.
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The Australian schools rugby team ended their tri-series with the Barbarians and Tonga undefeated after beating the tourists in the last match on Thursday.
The Australian side took a 31-14 lead into halftime before piling on another 29 points in the second half for the 50-26 win.
Sean Weir, Finn Lawson, Max Roach, Oscar Lane, Manaaki Bateman and Tom Farr-Jones were Australia’s tryscorers.
Felix Turinui converted five and a penalty goal.
Tonga co-captain Sione Tahaafe scored two for the touring side and Volita Feke also went over with Viliami Halaifonua converting three.
AUSTRALIA V BARBARIAN
His side were bashed, battered and bruised - and almost beaten - by their Barbarians opposition but Australian school boys rugby coach Mark Moxon couldn’t be happier.
Moxon was delighted at the aggression and intensity the Australian schools side faced ahead of their anticipated battled with Tonga in Sydney on Thursday.
”It was what we expected and it is what we expect from Tonga,’’ Moxon said.
“It was bash and crash out there.’
“There were a lot of lessons to be learned.
“The Barbarians played really well and we got a bit caught up in the fight.’’
WE HAVE NARK: Barbarians tackle Tonga
So caught up in fact it was the Barbarians who took a 14-3 lead into halftime of the match played at Knox College.
But back to back tries in the second half from captain Moses Manu from Brisbane State High School and Jack Henry from Canterbury College put the Australians back in the game and a point up.
A third try from Tom Farr-Jones (Waverley College) and top kicking from schoolmate and vice-captain Felix Turinui delivered the Australians a narrow 24-17 win.
Moxon said Eli Langi, Patrick Broe and Nico Buckley were also standouts in his side.
He identified Daniel Christodouolou and Ben Finegan as among the standouts for the Barbarians.
On ya fellas! Barbarians score first against Australia @AusSchools#rugbypic.twitter.com/OpnlwSijFl
— amanda lulham (@amandalulham) September 23, 2023
Finn Graham and Phillip Vaoiva both scored tries for the Barbarians.
Henry James converted two and Tallis McEwen kicked a penalty goal,
The next outing in the series is between the Barbarians and Tonga.
This match will also be played at Knox on Monday at 11am.
“We will be there watching, hopefully learning some more about them,’’ Moxon said.
BARBARIANS V AUSTRALIAN SCHOOLBOYS PREVIEW
Their bodies are fit, fast and ready for battle but Australian schoolboys coach Mark Moxon said there’s another crucial area that needs special work ahead of their battle against the Australian schools rugby Barbarians.
Moxon said the much-anticipated match in Sydney on Saturday will be as much a mind game as a physical match-up with the Barbarians looming as a major danger to his teams bid to sweep the series between the Australian schoolboys, the Ba Baas and Tonga.
“The major lead-in for our Test against Tonga is against the Ba Baas and they are a good side,’’ Moxon said.
“What bigger scalp is there than beating players who have taken your position.
“That will be a tough game, the Barbarians have nothing to lose and they are very dangerous. “Upsets is what they do best. Putting it all on the line.’’
Moxon said attitude will play a critical role in the result of the game.
“Our bigs need to come out running and they need to play to win,’’ he said.
“Too many teams get caught up in that don’t lose the game attitude.
“It will be a head game for us. They (the Barbarians) will have nothing to lose and they will have a crack.
“When you play with that sort of attitude you can do anything. That’s what worries me.”
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The much anticipated series between some of the top young rugby players in the world kicks off today when the Australian schoolboys take on the Barbarians at Knox Grammar.
On Monday Tonga will front up for a match against the Barbarians, also at Knox, with the main event the schoolboys Test between Tonga and Australia on September 28.
The Barbarians and Australian trams were selected at the recent Australian schools rugby championships.
AUSTRALIAN BARBARIANS RUGBY SQUAD
1 Daniel Christodoulou NSW Juniors West Harbour, 2 Finn Graham NSW BB Gordon, 3 Billy Mougios NSW II Newington College, 4 Saxon Thompson QLD I Good Shepherd Lutheran College, 5 Benjamin Finegan NSW Juniors Randwick, 6 Jack Gordon QLD I, Brisbane State High School, 7 Jacob John NSW Juniors Eastwood, 8 Joshua Va’alotu NSW I Newington College, 9 Taite Howells NSW I Oakhill College, 10 Henry James NSW I The Scots College, 11 Adam Khan QLD II Maryborough State High School, 12 Netani Lesimaikimatuku QLD I Brisbane State High School, 13 Joseph Harvey NSW BB Eastwood, 14 Korrbin Skelton QLD II Marsden State High School, 15 Tallis McEwen NSW I Newington College, 16 Josh Barlow QLD I Sunshine Coast Grammar School, 17 Siale Mahina QLD I Brisbane State High School, 18 Phillip Vaoiva QLD II Bellbird Park State Secondary College, 19 Ryan Jacobs NSW I Oakhill College, 20 Benji Noble NSW I St Ignatius College, 21 Jimmy Jackson QLD II Sunshine Coast Grammar School
22 KyePorter QLD II St Andrew’s Anglican College, 23 Sosaia Kaufisi NSW Juniors Two Blues.
Manager: Jed Peisley, Deputy Principal, Kempsey High School, NSW
Head Coach: Daniel Hawke, Keebra Park State High School, QLD
Assistant Coach: Mark O’Brien, Deputy Principal, Muswellbrook High School, NSW
AUSTRALIAN SCHOOLBOYS RUGBY SQUAD
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
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