Australia U18 captain Taumoepeau shifts to flanker for New Zealand Schools clash in Hamilton

Justice Taumoepeau will wear the No. 7 jersey when Australia’s Under-18s face New Zealand Schools at St Paul’s College in Hamilton on Sunday, shifting from the No. 8 role he filled during Wednesday’s 54-31 victory over the New Zealand Barbarians U18s. Coach Dale Roberson has made four changes to the starting XV for the fixture, which kicks off at 2:30 pm AEDT.

Taumoepeau’s move to openside flanker comes at the expense of Randwick’s Charlie Tanner, who drops out of the starting side. Barker College’s Tahj Smith slides from blindside to the back of the scrum to fill the captain’s previous berth, opening the door for Hunter Reich to earn his first Australia U18 start at blindside flanker. The only other alteration sees Taj Scarr come in on the wing in place of Faf Krueger.

“We’re looking forward to another tough challenge against the New Zealand Schools. We’ve had great battles with them over the last few years and we know Sunday won’t be any different,” Roberson said. “They are coming off a strong win over the Australian Schoolboys, so we must be ready for the physicality that they will present.”

The front row of Mark Falaniko-Peterson, Oliver Smith and Isaiah Sheck remains intact, while the all-Queensland second-row pairing of Harrison Asi and Jack Burton also keeps its place. Asi made his name at Brisbane Boys’ College during the GPS season; Burton represented Nudgee College.

Flynn Farrell and Wilson Ruthven continue at halfback and fly-half respectively, with James Smith and vice-captain Taione Taka retaining the centre partnership. Aidan Wunsch holds his wing spot alongside the incoming Scarr, and Jack Plamondon starts at fullback.

New Zealand Schools arrive at the fixture in form, having recently beaten the Australian Schoolboys, and Roberson’s squad will need to match that physicality if they are to extend their winning run from Wednesday.