The 2012 Australian Schools tour squad arrive in New Zealand today buoyed by their win against Fijian Schools. Having lost to the Presidents XV, a virtual Fiji Schools A team, three days before, they could have doubted themselves, but coaches Steve Phillpotts and Tim Rapp turned them around at training.
The Touring squad
In July two squads of 23 were chosen for Oz Schools to play Tongan Schools. They were selected as the best players of the Oz Schools tournament which had ended a few days before. Australia A beat Tonga 29-5 and the test match was won 70-13.
28 players were selected to tour Fiji and NZ. Of the 23 who played in the Tonga test, injuries had struck down Harry Rorke, the enforcer lock, Lalakai Foketi, the best back of the test Oz Schools test team that beat Tonga, and excellent Victorian hooker Moil Sooaemalelagi, who had been over the moon about being selected for Australian Schools in July. He suffered a late injury before departure, and replacement Francois Postal just made it to the airport on time. 3 others were not chosen to tour.
Five of the best performing players in the Austalian A side that played Tonga were added to the 17 who played in the test match, as were four who were hurt before or during the Australian School tournament in July, but had recovered.
The Tour
Saturday 22 September – Fijian President’s XV 18 – Australian Schools 9
At Prince Charles Park in Nadi Australia seemed to be rattled early but recovered. Both teams defended fiercely and at oranges the score was just 3-3.
Early in the 2nd half Fijian flanker Setareki Koroitamana intercepted a pass to make the score 10-6. The Aussies were well in the match but in the 67th minute they turned over ball on their own 22 and Fiji were in again -15-6. Australian Schools tried manfully to come back but the Fijian defence was magnificent and after penalties were swapped the scoreline was 18-9 on the siren. for a well-deserved Presidents XV win.
Former Fiji Schoolboys coach Samisoni Baikeitoga lauded the win as a major achievement by the Fiji President’s XV. He said they had been trying to overcome the Aussies since 2003.
“Today’s win is historic as this is our first win over the Australian Schoolboys,” Bakeitoga said. “The visitors dominated the scrums and line outs but ball handling cost them dearly. The Australian Schoolboys lost the ball close to the try line on three occasions as the locals defended gallantly.””
Fiji Presidents XV team manager Pita Molidua said they stuck to the game plan and got the result that they wanted. He said their solid defence was the key to their victory.
“We just came to play basic rugby with only a week’s preparation. But things turned out positive. We stuck to the game plan and the boys defended well. At the end we got the result. This result will now put the pressure on our main schoolboys team and they will have to work hard to win.”
Australia Schoolboys coach Steve Phillpotts said a loss wasn’t on the cards in their opening tour match of Fiji and New Zealand. He said they failed to build on the momentum, losing control of the ball on many occasions.
“We came up against a very passionate side. They played very well and caught us on the back foot. We did not play the style of football that we wanted to play. We had to play tighter and hold on to the ball and build the phases but we could not hold on to the ball.”
Tuesday 25 September – Australian Schools 29 – Fiji Schools 12
Australian Schools hit back at Churchill Park, Lautoka with a convincing win. Early reports from Fiji indicate that there were some defensive lapses to let Fiji in a couple of times, but the good news was that the forwards stepped up. Props Adam Pleash and Tomas Robertson scored a try apiece and 8. Mitch Whiteley and 6. Jack Dempsey, on the bench in the first game, lifted the team when they started in the test match.
The backs attacked with more venom and 15. Jonah Placid was the deserved Man of the Match . He and winger Andrew Robinson both scored tries. Unfortunately the bad luck of Gareth Kelell continued. He injured his ankle and is going to return home.
Games to be played in New Zealand
29 September v. New Zealand Barbarians – Sacred College, Auckland – 12.45pm (NZST)
2 October v Samoan Schools – St. Pauls Collegiate School, Hamilton – 2.30pm (NZST)
6. October v New Zealand Schools – Auckland Grammar School, Auckland 2.45 (NZST)
Television coverage
The Australian Schools v New Zealand Schools test on October 6 will be shown live on Fox Sports 3 with the game kicking off at 12:45pm AEST. Don’t miss it
Australian Schools Tour Squad 2012
Jack Cornelsen – QLD – Brisbane Grammar School
Jack Dempsey – NSW – St Ignatius’ College
Lolo Fakaosilea – QLD – Brisbane Boys’ College
Andrew Ferris – NSW – The Kings School
Michael Gunn – QLD – Anglican Church Grammar Schools
Reece Hodge – NSW – Manly Selective High School
Gareth Kalell – QLD – Brisbane Boys’ College
Siotame Kavapalu – VIC – Rowville Secondary College
Andrew Kellaway – NSW – The Scots College
Adam Korczyk – QLD – Brisbane State High
Jake McIntyre – NSW – Alstonville High School
Tepai Moeoroa – NSW – Newington College
Neori Nadruku – ACT – St Edmunds College
Matthew Philip – NSW – St Augustine’s College
Jonah Placid – QLD – Toowoomba Grammar School
Aaron Pleash – QLD – Ipswich Grammar School
John Porch – NSW – Farrar Memorial AHS
Francois Postal – Qld – Nudgee College
Angus Pulver – NSW – Shore School
Tomas Robertson – NSW – St Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill
Andrew Robinson – ACT – St Mary Mackillop College
Matt Sandell – NSW – St Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill
Tom Staniforth – ACT – Canberra Grammar School
Jim Stewart – NSW – The Scots College
Jack Tuttle – QLD – St Joseph’s Nudgee College
Mitchell Whiteley – NSW – St Ignatius’ College
Brad Wilkin – QLD – Iona College
Tom Wilson – NSW – Barker College
Originally chosen but could not tour because of injury:
Lalakei Foketi – NSW – The Kings School (replaced by R. Hodge)
Harry Rorke – NSW – St Ignatius’ College (replaced by J. Cornelson)
Moli Sooaemalelagi – VIC – Roxburgh Park Secondary College (replaced by F. Postal)
Returned home after being injured on tour:
Gareth Kalell – QLD – Brisbane Boys’ College
Staff
Coach – Stephen Phillpotts – Brisbane Boys’ College
Asst Coach – Timothy Rapp – Newington College
Manager – Paul Geddes – Central Coast Grammar School
Asst. Manager – John Rownes – Knox Grammar School
Doctor – Michael McLean
Physio – Will Maher
Technical Asst. – Andy Clark
Strength and Conditioning – Darren Clunn
This old blog is being used for WordPress exercises
