Three hugely talented youngsters who have played for Australia A at senior level could be part of the Australian secondary schools rugby side which meets Wairarapa-Bush under-18s at Memorial Park, Masterton tomorrow.
Midfield back and captain Cameron Smith, flanker Kotani Ale and lock Mark Johnson are a trio who have already
made an impact on a bigger stage but whether all or any of them will be seen in action here remains to be seen.
Coach Rob Nowlan said the make-up of tomorrow's starting XV would be not be finalised until after training today with the following two matches against Hurricanes Schools at Palmerston North next Tuesday and New Zealand secondary schools at New Plymouth next Friday taking precedence in the selection process.
But at the same time he was adamant the squad for the Memorial Park match, which kicks off at 12 noon, would be a "very competitive" unit.
"We want to win, and win well," Nowlan said. "We need to build confidence for the two tough games which follow and this is our only chance."
Nowlan said it was difficult to assess the strength of this year's national team compared to that of last season when wins over England and New Zealand made them arguably the top secondary schools team in world rugby.
Current halfback Mark Swanepoel was in that side but the personnel changes were such that it was impossible for him to rate the two sides alongside each other.
"I think it's fair to say we have a very good all-round side, one which doesn't really have any noticeable weaknesses," he said. "But whether they are as strong as that of last year& well, I guess we'll have to wait until we play New Zealand to find that out."
Aiding the Aussies to reach peak form for their New Zealand tour were two matches in Tonga but while Nowlan was pleased they won both he said weather conditions had conspired to make life difficult for them.
Tonga Outer Islands had been beaten 46-6 in gale force winds and the Tonga under-18s were disposed off 22-13 on a ground made muddy by persistent rain.
"It was hard to get any continuity into those games but we stuck at it and got the results we wanted,' he said.
