The stage is set for what promises to be another tight annual schools rugby clash for the Trans-Tasman Shield.
New Zealand Schools have put together a 3-0 record since assembly, but they had to rely on a virtuoso display by No 10 Josh McKay of Christchurch BHS to edge theAustralian Barbarians Schools 23-22 on Monday after smashing Samoan Schools 67-3 last Thursday. McKay nailed one solo try and another opportunist in scoring all 23 points, but the NZ Schools had to withstand a fierce comeback in hot conditions. Wing Caleb Clarke and loosie Dalton Papali'i should be back in the selection mix for coaches Dave Hewett and Mark Ozich, who know they are still searching for that quality performance from the group.
Australian Schools beat Samoan Schools 39-18 on Monday in Brisbane, and Hewett knows what they will bring.
"They are a big side, with a lot of height in the lineout, and then in the midfield they are big and strong-running, so it's going to be a big ask to take these guys down on their home patch. They also have 2-3 back from last year," Hewett said.
"They have different skills across the park. We've shown the guys some clips. To get a performance we're proud of, we are going to have to play for the full 70 minutes. One missed tackle and we could be standing behind the posts."
There is plenty of versatility in the backline, as one would expect, with McKay able to play 10 or 15, and Monday's wings Sevu Reece and TJ Vaega who both play in the midfield for their First XVs. Captain Peter Umaga-Jensen plays centre but can easily turn his hand to fullback.
Though he punts the ball with an awkward style, McKay has shown he is a classy footballer and Hewett says he is a fine communicator at either first five or fullback.
In 2014, NZ Schools, led by a brace from halfback Sam Nock, now with Northland, won 34-24 in Porirua.
The Bronze Boot, inaugurated in 1992, will again be up for grabs for the best player on either side. A glance at the last three winners from the New Zealand side is instructive. James Tucker (2012) is now locking the Waikato scrum, Akira Ioane (2013) has starred for Auckland, the Blues, the All Blacks Sevens and the NZ Under 20s, and Sio Tomkinson (2014) is playing for Otago in the ITM Cup.
