Australia U18 name squad to face New Zealand Barbarians in Hamilton

Australia U18 captain Justice Taumoepeau will lead his side against the New Zealand Barbarians U18 in Hamilton on Wednesday, with coach Dale Roberson making three changes to the starting XV that dismantled Australian Schoolboys 62-19 last week.

The most eye-catching selection is scrum-half Flynn Farrell, who was only called into the squad last week but has been rewarded with a starting berth after crossing for a try on debut against the Schoolboys. Farrell will partner fly-half Wilson Ruthven in the halves, with Izak Holmes named as scrum-half cover from the bench.

Faf Krueger comes in on the wing and Mark Falaniko-Peterson takes the loosehead prop jersey as the other two changes to the run-on side. The rest of the backline remains intact, with James Smith and vice-captain Taione Taka in the midfield, Aidan Wunsch on the opposite wing, and Jack Plamondon retained at fullback.

In the forwards, the all-Queensland second-row pairing of Harrison Asi and Jack Burton continues, with Tahj Smith and Charlie Tanner at flanker either side of the scrum. Taumoepeau, the NSW Waratahs prospect, wears the No. 8 jersey once again.

Roberson acknowledged the step up in challenge that awaits his squad on New Zealand soil. “We’re excited to be in Hamilton and are expecting a competitive match against the Barbarians tomorrow,” he said. “We are looking to build off the platform of our win over the Australian Schoolboys, but we are aware that we will have to be up for the physical confrontation of facing a New Zealand team in NZ.”

The match kicks off at 12:30 pm AEST on Wednesday, hosted by St Paul’s College in Hamilton.