Rugby: Schools teams fired up to battle rivals from Oz and Fiji

The top NZ Schools team is captained by Auckland Grammar centre Rieko Ioane (with the ball). Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand Schools kick off their short campaign today in Porirua.

The top NZ Schools team, captained by Auckland Grammar centre Rieko Ioane and coached by former All Blacks prop Dave Hewett, face their Fijian counterparts in a televised game, while the second-tier NZ Barbarians Schools play Australian Schools, a team they beat in 2012.

The New Zealand sides are staying at Scots College after a week-long camp in Rotorua. "If we get an injury, we would look to the Barbarians, and if they get an injury, they would look from outside," said Hewett. "The preparation has been rapid, but they guys have really started to show themselves as a team."

Complacency will not be an issue against Fiji, even though they went down 50-15 to Australia on Friday in Levin. In 2013, the NZ Schools lost 20-22 to Fiji in a major boilover.

There is some prime talent in the Barbarians, some of whom were unlucky to miss the cut for the top side, among them St Peter's halfback Lisati Milo-Harris, Hamilton Boys loosie Jahrome Brown and Christchurch Boys midfielder Alex Nankivell.

The NZ Schools possess talent and versatility in spades. At fullback they have a choice between one of the best First XV goalkickers in the country, Jordan Trainor of St Peter's, or Shaun Stevenson of Auckland Grammar.

"That gives us cover with our kicking, but we have multiple options in the backs and depth through the squad," said Hewett.

But there is only one specialist halfback, Sam Nock of St Kentigern. His 1st XV teammate Ereatara Enari, normally a No10, will give back-up.

On Saturday at the same venue, NZ Schools will play Australia for the annual Transtasman Shield, which they hold. The Barbarians play Fiji.

NZ Schools

Jordan Trainor (St Peter's), Shaun Stevenson (AGS), Jonah Lowe (King's), Mason Emerson (Lindisfarne), Rieko Ioane (AGS), Malo Tuitama (Scots), Patelesio Tomkinson (Otago) TJ Va'a (Scots), Ereatara Enari (St Kents), Sam Nock (St Kents), Luke Jacobson (Cambridge), Hapakuki Moala-Liava'a (Massey), Hayden Spencer (PNBHS), Christian Kelleher (Sacred Heart), Lui Okeamoa-Luamanu (St Pat's Silverstream), Sam Ulufonua (AGS), Quinten Strange (Nelson College), Ayden Johnstone (HBHS), Jonah Aoina (Otago), Alex Fidow (Scots), Shaun Stodart (Southland BHS), Max Fryatt (Feilding HS), Solomone Tukuafe (HBHS).

Today's games at Porirua Park
1.10pm: NZ Barbarians v Australian Schools
2.50pm: NZ Schools v Fijian Schools.