The Stars of Tomorrow will represent Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Samoa in a series of international matches in Hamilton and across Fiji.
The Australian Under-18s began their tour of New Zealand with an impressive 57-47 win over the New Zealand Barbarians Under-18s, while the New Zealand school demolished hapless Samoa 91-5 at St Paul’s University.
Australian secondary schools have twice topped the Fiji Tour.
Australia has bragging rights over savages.
An unprecedented 15 tries were scored in a Trans-Tasman schoolboys international, spills were quickly punished and sloppy defenses became increasingly vulnerable.
Australia led 38-21 at halftime and then led 57-33 with 12 minutes remaining.
The Barbarians started lively with a wide attack and an attempt to trap Frazer Brown from Gallaher Shield champions Ponsonby.
Australia responded ominously with a long-range strike to winger Heamasi Makasini. At 22 from a scrum, Australia bounced the ball to their left and Makasini was unable to save one-on-one. The Barbarian player then quipped: “When I saw him warming up, I thought he was one of the loose forwards.”
Whenever Makasini handled it, Australia looked powerful. Makasini is a tank and scored Australia’s third try with a shorter, terrifying burst.
At least at first the barbarians matched the Australians. Northcote center Reimana Saunderson-Rurawhe and towering fullback Rios Tasmania scored tries through clinical build-up and voluntary offloads.
But when Australia attacked around the edge of the ruck, their Heber and dynamic forwards could too often breach the gain line.
Loosehead prop Kingsley Uys, No.8 Heinz Lemoto and blindside flanker Eli Langi were among the casualties. First five-eighth Jonty Fowler had the best kick and stole a try on a Barbarians scrum fumble.
After halftime the Barbarians hit back with two quick tries to Saunderson-Rurawhe and Feilding High School No.8 Rupeni Raviyawa.
But Australia struggled to regain control when center Frankie Goldsborough sent Tom Howard into space. The combative close approach that slowed down the Barbarians came back with props Nicholas Hill and Jonah Rangwai, while loose forward Luca cleverly carried out a transfer from the bench.
The Barbarians scored two late consolation tries, a 75-metre interception by Pyrenees center Boyle-Tiatia and a barge over after the fall of Rotorua Boys prop Bronson van de Heyden.
The Barbarians’ first official match was against Australia on 29 September 2012 at Sacred Heart College, Auckland. The Barbarians kit was presented by 1987 Rugby World Cup winner Alan Whetton. The Barbarians, boasting a strong line-up featuring future senior internationals Tau Koloamatangi, Mitchell Drummond, Damian McKenzie and rugby league superstar Nelson Asofa-Solomona, outscored the Aussies 24-5.
McKenzie converted tries from Mitchell Karpik, Drummond and Michael Green. John Porch (Australia Sevens) scored Australia’s lone try. The Barbarians were coached by Mark Vincent (St Bede’s College) and Dave Dillon (Sacred Heart College).
The rivalry resumed in 2014 with the Barbarians winning 39-21 at the Jerry Collins Stadium in Porirua. The game started explosively when Australia’s number one five-eighth Jackson Hope was shown a red card in the first minute for a dangerous tipped tackle on Barbarians halfback Liam Howley, now of Southland.
Australia tried hard to keep the fight going but proved they lacked the numbers. Future Samoa international winger Losi Fillipo performed well and scored the try. Barbarians No.8 Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, blindside flanker Fin Hoeta, Du Lock, Paripari Parkinson (try scorer) and Isaia Walker-Leawere all produced energetic plays. First 5/8 D’Angelo Leuila scored 17 points. Harrison Goddard scored 16 runs for Australia.
The late Mori All Black Connor Garden-Bachop was a standout in the Barbarians’ win over Australia in 2016. Future All Blacks Leicester Fainga’anuku, Folau Fakatava, Quinn Tupaea and Tupou Vaai also enjoyed 28-17 success at Mount Albert Grammar School.
Australia’s only previous win over the Barbarians came in Hamilton in 2019. Flanker Alex Masibaka, hooker Hamish Moore, halfback Kalani Thomas and winger Tolatau Koula represented Australia in an impressive 30-17 win. Michael Mason (2) and Tepaea Cook-Savage scored for the Barbarians.
Australia U-18: 57 (Kingsley Uys 2, Heamasi Makasini 2, John Grenfell, Jonty Fowler, Thomas Howard, Heinz Lemoto tries; Fowler 7 cones, pen)
New Zealand Savages Under 18:47 (Fraser Brown, Reimana Saunderson-Rurawhe 2, Rivers Tasmania, Rupeni Raviyawa, Pyrenees Boyle-Tiatia, Bronson van de Heyden, tries; Tasmania 3 cones, Boyle-Tiatia 3 cones) HT: 38-21
New Zealand School Smash Samoa
It’s hard to know what New Zealand schools have gained from 15 Samoa demolitions.
New Zealand scored 46 points in the second half, but their first-half display was even more impressive, maintaining their form as they punished struggling Samoa and broke down their own territory.
Samoa’s lively winger Mavaega Siole made an intercept and rushed 60 meters before being caught by Harry Inch. Siole made a line from the same source in the second half.
Nelson College’s axis of halfback Ollie Inch, first five-eighth Harry Inch and blockbuster No.8 Saumaki Saumaki have established themselves as integral figures in Sunday’s Test against Australia, as has captain and fullback Cohen Norrie and openside flanker Aio Keith. Yes.
Year 11 center Nico Stanley, from the famous Stanley rugby family, made a sensational debut with three tries. Nothing particularly stood out, but he looked confident and powerful.
A characteristic of the New Zealand team was the number of players in the First XV and other positions. These included Norrie (10-15), Jarrel Tuaimalo Vaega (10-12) and Palmerston North lock Bradley Tocker, who played from the blindside.
The New Zealand school has won 140 of its 159 games, beating Samoa in all eight of them.
new zealand schools: 91 (Nico Stanley 3, Aio Keith, Cohen Norrie, Bradley Tocker, Siale Pahulu 2, Saumaki Saumaki 3, Charlie Wallis, Ollie Guerin, Finn McLeod, Tyi Sinkinson attempted; Harry Inch 4 cons, Mason Verster 4 cons)
Samoa: 5 (Mawaega Ciole Tri) HT: 46-5
Fiji’s role
The Fiji Schoolboys Under-18 team made history by beating Australia 26-14 on Saturday and 34-25 on Tuesday at Rawaka Park in Sigatoka. It was the first time in 10 meetings that Fiji had toppled Australia.
Fiji proved their stunning success five days ago was no fluke with a thrilling 34-25 win yesterday.
Australia gained control early on, establishing its territory through persistent and disciplined steps. Fiji eventually split at the lineout when Cameron Paull rounded the corner from the switch.
Fiji regrouped smartly, showing greater urgency in both attack and defence. Suddenly, passes started to get tangled up and holes appeared in the away team’s defense. Hooker Waisake Vakacere, beastly tighthead prop Raymond Navunikaba and No.8 Ratu Epeli Roseruvakula were in charge of Fiji at half-time.
Nine minutes after the break, Australia used a lineout drive to good effect and the pile of bodies crashed again. With 12 minutes remaining, Australia narrowed the gap to 22-20 when fleet-footed fullback Jai Callaghan danced cleanly in.
With the result teetering on a tightrope, winger Nathan Stevens broke through the Australian defense to take the lead. The bounce favored chasing reserve Josaia Ralulu, who moved back to Stephens for the winner.
Tails up, second 5/8 Asaeli Gade put the icing on the cake with another dazzling run.
Fiji took an early lead in Thursday’s game with center Maleli Nauvasi taking advantage of a clash between two Australian defenders.
The momentum continued as openside flanker Samuela Tuidraki added a second try in the 16th minute, assisted by Nauvasi. Tuidraki are gifted with strength and a captivating change of pace.
Fiji’s first half was marred by poor training resulting in two yellow cards. Winger Nathan Stephens was sent off in the 22nd minute and Tuidraki was substituted nine minutes later.
Australia narrowed the gap to 14-7 in the 28th minute of the first half when winger Max Roach scored and Cooper Watters scored.
Undermand Fiji scored a goal against winger Duakek Bulainnabuwaha in the first minute of the second half to take a 19-7 lead.
Australia responded with a Jai Callaghan try in the 59th minute, which Watters converted to narrow the score to 19-14.
The final ten minutes were tense until the influential Nauvasi’s replacement forced the release of lively substitute Meli Waqairadovu. First five-eighth Isikeli Bari added the conversion to seal Fiji’s 26-14 win.
